Posted on March 06, 2023 in Divorce

 Divorce mediation is a process where both parties work with a third-party mediator to come to a mutually beneficial agreement on issues such as child custody, division of assets, and spousal support. While mediation can be a less stressful and costly alternative to litigation, it may only be a viable option in some cases. Today, we will discuss when mediation may not be the best course of action. If you are interested in getting a divorce, consult with a knowledgeable attorney so you understand your rights and legal options. 

Situations Where Divorce Mediation May Not be Suitable

There are several situations where divorce mediation may not be sufficient, including: 

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 Posted on February 23, 2023 in Divorce

While divorce is a challenging time for everyone involved, fathers going through a divorce may face unique challenges. Above all, it is essential for fathers to understand their rights and responsibilities during the divorce process thoroughly and to take steps to protect their interests and the interests of their children. If you are a father heading toward a divorce, consider contacting a knowledgeable divorce attorney who will protect your rights and do everything in their power to help ensure you receive a fair divorce settlement. 

What Fathers Should Keep in Mind During a Divorce 

Child custody is one of the most critical considerations for fathers going through a divorce. In most cases, both parents have a right to be involved in their children's lives. That being said, the specific custody arrangement will depend on the children's best interests. Parenting plans are extremely important in Illinois divorce cases involving children. Time and effort are required to ensure that the parenting plan addresses all that must be addressed. 

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 Posted on February 17, 2023 in Family Law

 Prenuptial agreements, often referred to as “prenups,” are legal contracts between two individuals planning on getting married that set out how their assets and property will be divided in the event of a divorce or death of a spouse. Prenups have become increasingly common for a variety of reasons. 

If you are getting married and are interested in signing a prenup or learning more about them, consider contacting an experienced family law attorney to guide you through the process and make you aware of everything you need to know. 

What Can a Prenuptial Agreement Do for Me? 

Many people are not aware of the ways that a prenuptial agreement can benefit them. If you are getting married, a prenuptial can help you accomplish a variety of goals, such as: 

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 Posted on February 08, 2023 in Family Law

A postnuptial agreement is a binding legal contract between two spouses that lays out the terms of their financial arrangement in the event of a separation, divorce, or death of a spouse. A postnuptial agreement is similar to a prenuptial agreement but is entered into after a couple has already tied the knot. In our society, it frequently seems as though conversations revolve around prenuptial agreements and rarely postnuptial agreements. Today, we are going to look at some instances where it may make sense for a couple to enter into a postnuptial agreement. 

If you are looking to enter into a postnuptial agreement, contact an experienced family law attorney who will work to protect your rights while working to make your legal goals a reality. 

When Does it Make Sense to Enter into a Postnuptial Agreement? 

There are various reasons why a couple might consider making a postnuptial agreement. These reasons include the following: 

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 Posted on January 25, 2023 in Child Custody

There is little doubt that for many people, traveling is one of the great joys of life. For people who have gone through a divorce, have a minor child, and wish to travel with their child, they too may have an interest in traveling. However, there are important considerations to keep in mind if you are divorced and would like to bring your child on a trip abroad. This blog will look at what someone should consider thinking about before they leave the country with their child.

Step #1: Obtain a Passport for Your Child

It is important to note that any child under 16 years of age needs to have both of their parents’ authorization to obtain a passport. In some cases, it may be required for both parents to be present when the child gets their passport. However, getting a signed permission form may also be possible if one of the parents being there in person is not possible. In cases where only one parent has parental rights or the other parent has had their parental rights terminated, the parent with full custody of the child must show proof that no other parent is required to grant consent for the child to obtain a passport. Notably, a child’s passport is only valid for five years. If your child already has a passport, make sure to check when it expires, as many countries will not allow entry to a traveler with an expired passport.

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 Posted on January 18, 2023 in Family Law

While the majority of fathers are more than willing to be loving members of their child’s life, unfortunately, not all fathers feel the same way. Moreover, not everyone alleged to be a father is actually the father. As a result, it is not uncommon for paternity to be an extremely contentious issue, particularly when the alleged parents are not in a relationship with each other. As a result, paternity issues frequently become urgent privacy matters. In addition, both men and women may fear the impact and consequence of having the incorrect man regarded as a child’s father.

Thanks to DNA testing, mistakes are relatively uncommon when establishing paternity. More and more children are receiving the resources and care they need because paternity is much easier to prove now than it was years ago. If you are interested in establishing the paternity of your child or are looking to avoid being incorrectly labeled as the father of a child, contact an experienced lawyer who understands Illinois paternity law and can represent you throughout the process. 

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 Posted on January 04, 2023 in Divorce

It is not uncommon for married couples to prolong their marriage simply because they fear going through grueling divorce proceedings. Unfortunately, divorce can be a highly contentious process for so many couples, leaving many reeling from the sheer emotional turmoil. Chances are, if you are in a tumultuous marriage, the possibility of having a smooth divorce is slim. However, hope is not lost.

If you have reason to believe that you and your spouse may be heading for a high-conflict divorce, one of the wisest things you can do is to retain the services of a knowledgeable divorce attorney. Having a skillful attorney on your side can be a lifesaver, especially regarding issues like asset division, spousal maintenance, or figuring out who will get custody of the kids. This blog will provide essential tips to be aware of when preparing for a contentious divorce. 

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 Posted on December 21, 2022 in Child Custody

Deciding to end your marriage and pursue a divorce is rarely easy, especially when children are involved. In divorce cases where spouses have children, they often want to protect them from the stress and uncertainty of divorce while ensuring their lives are affected to the least extent possible. At the same time, parents might be concerned about what effect the divorce will have regarding child custody and their ability to see and be a part of their children's lives. If you are getting a divorce and are concerned about matters related to child custody, consider consulting with a knowledgeable attorney who will ensure your rights are protected while consistently placing the child's best interests at the forefront of every decision. 

Illinois Law Regarding Child Custody Matters

It is important to note that as of 2016, Illinois refers to child custody as the "allocation of parental responsibility." This term speaks to the parent's right to decide about their children's upbringing. The four primary areas where decision-making is relevant are education, health, religion, and extracurricular activities. Each parent may share these matters and the decisions accompanying them, or they may be assigned to one parent only. Generally, issues pertaining to parental responsibility are outlined in a parenting plan created by the parents as part of their divorce decree. In a best-case scenario, parents can lay out their plans for the allocation of parental responsibilities with the assistance of their attorneys or through mediation.

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 Posted on December 15, 2022 in Divorce

When a married couple with children decides to pursue a divorce, it can affect everything and everyone around them. But unfortunately, there are situations where the only thing stopping a couple from divorcing is fear of the unknown and the various emotional and financial consequences that result from a divorce. Or in other cases, parents may be afraid of how a divorce will affect their children. 

When a divorcing couple has children, there is much to figure out. Luckily, according to Illinois state law, the allocation of parental responsibilities is to be shared equally among the parents of children unless there is a good reason to do otherwise. However, there are things every father ought to know if he is getting a divorce in Illinois. If you are a father getting a divorce in Illinois, consider contacting a knowledgeable attorney who is passionate about defending fathers’ rights in Illinois divorce cases. 

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 Posted on December 13, 2022 in Family Law

Prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly popular among engaged couples of all ages. Prenuptial agreements can protect both spouses’ financial interests in the event of divorce or the death of a spouse. They also represent an important opportunity for engaged couples to discuss financial plans and expectations before they walk down the aisle. In a country where financial problems are consistently cited as a top cause of divorce, financial transparency is crucial to building a strong marriage.

However, prenuptial agreements must meet certain criteria to be legally binding. If a prenup does not meet these requirements, it may be completely useless during a divorce.

Requirements for Prenuptial Agreements in Illinois

Prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements are legal contracts. As with any contract, they must meet certain standards to be legally enforceable. In Illinois, part of all of a prenuptial agreement may be thrown out if these standards are not met.

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