Posted on November 27, 2019 in Divorce

During your divorce, you and your spouse will need to address the ownership of all the property and assets you own together, and this will also include dividing marital debts. As long as debt was incurred during the marriage, it is the responsibility of each spouse, and it must be divided equitably and fairly between the spouses.

What Types of Debts Are Considered Marital Debt?

In general, any debt incurred by either spouse during a marriage is considered to be marital debt. Such marital debt may include:

• Credit cards

• Loans

• Mortgages

One thing to note is that your lawyer might be able to make a convincing case that some debts which appear to be marital debts should not actually be your obligation, because they were taken on for the sole benefit of the other spouse. For example, if your ex-spouse made large credit card purchases while pursuing an extramarital affair, he or she may be solely responsible for these debts.

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 Posted on November 26, 2019 in Divorce

As discussed in a previous blog, the division of property in a divorce is a complex and nuanced issue in Illinois. This is because, as with many states, property is not simply divided equally; by law, it must be divided “equitably.” In general, equitable distribution of assets is not a strict and simple process. Typically, the decisions are subjective depending on what the parties or the judge find to be fairest depending on the circumstances. The determination of what is “equitable” is based on a variety of factors.

What Is Considered “Equitable” in Illinois

As mentioned in the last post, only marital property can be divided in a divorce; that is, only property or other assets purchased or obtained during the marriage will be divided. As such, the equitable distribution of property refers only to marital property.

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 Posted on November 22, 2019 in Divorce

In the state of Illinois, the division of property between divorcing spouses includes any cars owned by the couple. How vehicles are divided is determined along with other property and assets during the divorce process. Many couples are able to work together to reach an agreement on how to divide assets, but if a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, mediation, or collaborative law, the distribution of property between the spouses will be determined in court during a trial.

When deciding who will get which marital assets, the court will consider what is “equitable” rather than what is “equal.” This distinction, which is specific to Illinois and many other states, will be discussed further in our next blog post. Regarding cars in general, there are some guidelines to follow when dividing this type of property.

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 Posted on November 21, 2019 in Divorce

While many of the typical reasons for divorce are longstanding and straightforward, there are some subtler causes that you and your spouse might not have been as attuned to in recent years. Due to new approaches toward marriage and divorce, nearly 50% of married couples may see their marriage end in divorce. Some of these trending causes of divorce include:

1. Level of interest in having children—For many years, having children was the logical and most common next step taken by a couple after getting married. These days, as evidenced by decreased birth rates, spouses are viewing having children as less of a necessity and more of a personal desire. If you want children, and your spouse does not, this could be a contributing factor to divorce.

2. Parental interference—If you or your spouse spend a large amount of time with your parents, this may reduce the amount of quality family time you spend with each other. Parents can also influence a spouse’s attitude or approach toward major life decisions in ways the other spouse does not agree with, which can lead to friction in the relationship.

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 Posted on November 13, 2019 in Divorce

In 2016, Illinois became a “no-fault divorce” state. This means that, in the view of the law, the only acceptable grounds for divorce in Illinois are “irreconcilable differences.” Irreconcilable differences are defined as the “irretrievable breakdown” of a marriage in which attempts at reconciliation have failed, and any further attempts at reconciling the marriage will not be in the best interests of the family.

In most cases, a couple will agree that their marriage has experienced an irretrievable breakdown, and they will simply need to state this in the divorce petition filed by one spouse. However, if one spouse does not agree that the marriage should end, irreconcilable differences will be presumed if the couple lives “separate and apart” for at least six continuous months.

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 Posted on November 11, 2019 in Child Custody

These days, with the world at your fingertips through the Internet, it is easier than ever to find a new job or locate a new house, making parental relocation even more likely than it might have been in the past. Unfortunately, after divorce, if you or your ex-spouse decides to relocate, this can further complicate parental responsibilities and parenting time. In fact, custodial issues surrounding relocation require courtroom proceedings in which the ex-spouse requesting a move must demonstrate that the relocation is in the best interest of the child. If any of this is the case with you or your ex-spouse, consider this advice to make sure you and your children continue to have a positive relationship despite the move.

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 Posted on November 07, 2019 in Divorce

While getting a divorce at any age can be one of the most challenging life changes you will ever face, when you decide to get a divorce at age 50 or older, the situation can be even more complicated and difficult. How will your older sons and daughters react? What will happen with your retirement accounts? What about health insurance? How will you be able to start over at such an older age? There are many issues to consider, and that is the main reason finding an experienced divorce attorney is critical to your success.

Distinct Differences When Divorcing After 50

While many of the usual issues considered during divorce are also relevant to a divorce late in life, there are some actions that need to be approached differently or with extra caution when you are 50 or older. Major differences to take into account when divorcing after 50 include:

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 Posted on November 05, 2019 in Divorce

If a spouse is currently in prison, divorce is an important decision that the couple may consider. The complex feelings and consequences of seeing a husband or wife go to prison can be overwhelming. In addition, the couple’s children will find it especially challenging to live without their incarcerated parent. This is why, depending on the situation, divorce might be the best option. There are many other reasons to initiate a divorce under these circumstances, and there are steps to take to ensure a seamless legal proceeding.

Reasons for Divorce During Incarceration

Studies suggest that incarceration increases divorce rates, and even if the inmate is released from prison, the marriage might still be more susceptible to divorce long thereafter. In fact, for every year a spouse is in prison, the likelihood of divorce during or after imprisonment increased by about 32 percent. There are many reasons for a divorce between one spouse and an incarcerated spouse, including:

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 Posted on November 01, 2019 in Divorce

Financial issues often play a major factor throughout a marriage, and they can even cause a couple to divorce. In some cases, a couple may get used to a certain lifestyle during the marriage. Whether one spouse earned a substantially higher income, or the other spouse stayed home to raise children, a divorce can significantly impact their situations moving forward. When going through a divorce, spouses may wonder about the aftermath and how they can move on. Some of the typical fears are: “Can I afford to stay in the house?” or “How will I be able to pay bills?” Under Illinois law, one partner may be able to seek spousal maintenance once the marriage ends. A court will consider several factors when determining whether to award maintenance and what kind of payments are necessary.

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 Posted on October 31, 2019 in Divorce

If you are facing a divorce, you are likely to be plagued with feelings of doubt and uncertainty. While there is no “correct” way to go about the process of ending your marriage, you will want to be sure to address the various legal issues between you and your spouse in a responsible manner. The many decisions that must be made about matters such as the division of assets, marital debt, spousal support, and parental responsibilities could lead to you feel overwhelmed. Although you may be eager to resolve these matters and get the divorce process over with, it is strongly advised to carefully think out every action you take. If certain issues are handled improperly, you may face serious financial repercussions, and your relationship with your children could be negatively affected. During your divorce, it is important to avoid these mistakes:

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