I recently read an article on the differences in how Illinois appellate courts are split on whether or not a child of divorce has “standing” (legal term for the right to be in court asking for something) to enforce the college education provisions in his or her parents’ divorce decree. What does this mean in […]
As mediation continues to build momentum as a viable, and often less costly, form of dispute resolution, so has the role of your attorney in the mediation process. Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution in which spouses meet with a qualified neutral professional, usually and preferably an experienced divorce attorney, to discuss their […]
The graying of America is moving full speed ahead. It is estimated that 10,000 people are turning 65 every day —a trend that will continue for the next 20 years. By 2030, almost one out of every five Americans—some 72 million people—will be 65 years or older. By 2050, the 65+ population is projected to […]
Every parent has a legal and moral obligation to financially support his or her child. When parties divorce, the court will usually require the noncustodial parent to pay a percentage of his or her net income as child support. What happens, though, when the noncustodial parent’s net income is difficult to calculate or fluctuates from […]
When people ask why I chose family law, I tell them that it’s one of the few areas of law where one not only deals at close range with clients, but one that touches on a plethora of areas of the law. After over 20 years in practice, it has become obvious that the multi-disciplinary […]
The population of the United States is getting older. The most recent census, conducted in 2010, revealed not only that there are now more Americans age 65 and above than at any other time in U.S. history, but also that this age group grew at a faster pace during the prior decade than the total […]
Typically, each new year brings a sense of anticipation and a fresh start. However, it may not feel this way for those going through or contemplating a divorce. In fact, the new year may create uneasy feelings and a concern about the future. Planning and forward thinking can make the process easier, reducing anxiety, stress, […]
When you hear the word “divorce,” you probably have an image of what the process will be like. Perhaps you assume that each party will hire an attorney; take a polarized negotiation position; and repeatedly go to court to fight over issues of property division, custody, and spousal support. Perhaps you fear that after years […]
All too often, litigants work tirelessly to finalize a comprehensive parenting order only to have disputes over parenting time after the order is entered. The purpose of this article is to provide a few practical tips to deal with these common problems, including some new remedies for litigants provided by recent amendments to the Illinois […]
When parties are negotiating terms of a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) or a Joint Parenting Agreement (JPA) at the eleventh hour, they might be inclined to make concessions for the sake of “getting it over with.” Perhaps the parties are inclined to insert a provision into the agreement that will not take effect for a […]