Chicago Divorce Law Blog
Custody in cases of interstate or international moves, part 1: The UCCJEA
If your ex-spouse moves to another state or even another country and takes your child, which court will determine the custody of your child? It can raise difficult legal questions regarding which state (or country) has jurisdiction to make the original custody...
Can social media hurt my divorce case?
Social media is a great place to share your feelings about world events or even your own personal life. When a couple is going through a divorce, these platforms can have a poor effect when used inappropriately. In court, social media can be used as evidence. That...
How to protect your 401(k) during a divorce
Your largest asset, especially if you have been together a long time, is likely your 401(k) retirement plan. Protecting your 401(k) is vital to your financial future. Your spouse can likely claim at least part of your 401(k) unless you have a prenuptial agreement. In...
Who gets the family pet after a divorce?
Many couples in Illinois adopt pets either before or during their marriages, and it is not typically considered what to do in case of a divorce. However, no loving couple initially plans on getting divorced; however, such lack of contingency can end up leaving an...
A formal business valuation can help you obtain a settlement
Illinois divorces that include one or more businesses add complexity to the proceedings. Even if your split is otherwise amicable, issues surrounding the company often cause contention. Whether the entity is marital property and how much ownership is worth are...
Creating a parenting plan for joint custody
When it comes to custody arrangements in Illinois, courts all-but require parents to submit a parenting plan for review before making a determination. When necessary, a court will decide a custody arrangement, but only after strongly encouraging parents to negotiate...
Is my spouse keeping financial secrets from me?
Financial infidelity occurs when your partner conceals or lies about any number of marital monetary issues: accounts, debts or incomes, to name a few. It is not rare. According to a 2016 study cited by Money Crashers, approximately 40% of married respondents admitted...
Dangerous Spike in Domestic Violence Rates
As the “stay in place” orders continue, police departments around the country and here in Chicago are seeing an increasing rise in incidents of Domestic Violence. Things have become so bad world-wide that on Sunday UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres called on...
Securing full parental rights and obligations for LGBT families
You and your same-sex spouse will share very few life experiences equal to that of passing your knowledge and values on to your next generation. You also want to make sure that both of you have equal legal parenting rights for your child to protect him or her should...
Too much togetherness can be hard on a failing marriage
Marriages that are in trouble can often fall completely apart due to extenuating circumstances. One situation in which you may find yourself struggling more in your marriage is if you and your spouse have to start spending more time with each other. Being together in...
