Chicago Divorce Law Blog
Creating pet agreements before or after a marriage
Illinois considers inherited or gifted assets acquired by an individual during a marriage as separate property. All other assets obtained during a marriage, however, belong to both spouses unless an agreement states otherwise. As noted by Forbes magazine, a prenuptial...
How can I increase parenting time while maintaining my career?
Maintaining a good work-life balance is challenging even under the best of circumstances. When going through a divorce, you may find yourself struggling even further. It is important for both parents to spend ample quality time with their children, but it is also...
Custody in cases of interstate or international moves, part 2: Akula v. Akula
Our prior post on interstate and international custody reviewed the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). In that post, we discussed the requirements for deciding which court has jurisdiction over a custody matter when one parent moves to a...
When should a divorce attorney hire an appellate lawyer?
Good attorneys know when they have an ethical and professional responsibility to enlist the help of another attorney for a client. There is a reason that competency is the very first requirement addressed in the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct. Appellate work...
Tips for same-sex adoption
Same-sex couples in Illinois who want to start a family must understand the unique obstacles standing between them and successful adoption. According to The Chicago Tribune, nonprofit adoption and foster care advocacy groups encourage more same-sex couples to adopt,...
Child custody and addressing an anxiety disorder
There are many hardships that those working through the custody process encounter, such as concerns about a child's future to confusion regarding the ins and outs of the process. For some people, such as those with anxiety disorders, dealing with child custody issues...
Is nesting something my family should consider after divorce?
The divorce process includes a lot of moving parts, whether you have children or don’t have children. In your case, there are special considerations you must take to ensure your children continue to feel your love and support as you make major changes to both your...
How Will The Events of 2020 Impact Divorce Rates?
It’s clear that 2020 will go down as an unprecedented year in our collective lifetimes. Although it is only half over, the year has already seen a pandemic that sparked a months-long national quarantine, a tanking economy, massive social unrest and seemingly endless...
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...