Free Consultations
630-581-2877
2100 Manchester Road, Building B, Suite 1050, Wheaton, IL 60187
205 1/2 West State Street, Suite C, Geneva, IL 60134
Recent Blog Posts
How Do Illinois Courts Decide Child Custody Cases?
Whether you are divorced or you never married your child’s other parent, child custody issues can be contentious. Understandably, parents have strong opinions about what is best for their kids. When divorced or unmarried parents disagree about the allocation of parental responsibilities or parenting time, the court may intervene. If you are in the midst of a child custody dispute, it is important to understand the factors used by Illinois courts when ruling on these types of cases.
The Child’s Best Interests
The primary concern in a child custody dispute is reaching a resolution that promotes the child’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. In other words, the court’s priority during a child custody case is the child’s best interests. Of course, what is in a child’s best interests is not always easy to ascertain. Illinois has adopted over a dozen individual factors that courts should consider when determining a child custody arrangement that is in the child’s best interest. These so-called “best interest factors” include:
How To Approach a Unique High-Asset Divorce in Illinois
Divorce is often coupled with significant frustration, conflict, and expense. It may seem easier for wealthy couples to get divorced due to their financial stability. However, high-asset divorces often involve distinct obstacles, including how to appropriately separate the spouses’ assets. Each party involved in a high-asset divorce should be well aware of the divorce’s consequences and prepare themselves, their loved ones, and their assets accordingly.
Factors to Consider in a High-Asset Divorce
Divorce poses unique challenges for wealthy couples due to the accumulation of assets throughout their marriage. The couple’s worth will likely dictate many factors of their divorce.
Firstly, it is possible that each spouse may want to pursue the use of financial experts throughout the divorce process. These experts will be able to determine how much the shared assets are worth. If there is a business involved, the experts will help to establish whether either or both of the parties have an ownership interest. Additionally, if either spouse is concerned that there may be hidden assets, a forensic accountant can analyze previous financial transactions.
What Are the Different Types of Spousal Maintenance?
The divorce process entails an extensive list of divisions between the two spouses, including property division and the allocation of parental responsibilities. At the end of the day, the court’s goal is to ensure that the two separating parties complete the process as equals. While not legally required, awarding spousal maintenance, or alimony, can help to achieve this. A Kane County family law attorney can aid in pursuing spousal maintenance effectively. There are multiple types of spousal maintenance to consider. Before doing so, you should make sure that it is the right path for your situation. If there is a substantial income discrepancy between the separating parties, spousal maintenance is likely appropriate.
The Main Types of Spousal Maintenance in Illinois
In Illinois, spousal maintenance is not guaranteed. Unless you have signed a marital agreement promising maintenance, the court has the discrepancy to award spousal maintenance or spousal support on a case-by-case basis.
What Happens When Parents Disagree on Medical Decisions?
For the past 18 months or so, the United States has been battling the COVID-19 pandemic. As more and more people get the COVID-19 vaccine, states have begun to lift restrictions and mask mandates, including Illinois, which lifted mask mandates at the end of May. Dealing with the pandemic has raised many legal issues, such as the rights of individuals when it comes to mask-wearing and vaccinations. As the FDA has granted one vaccine manufacturer emergency use authorization for children 12 and older, and a second is getting ready to request full licensure for children to receive their vaccine, another major legal issue may be looming: What happens when co-parents disagree on whether their child should receive the vaccine?
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Several years ago, Illinois lawmakers did a complete overhaul of the state’s family law statutes. Included in those changes was the elimination of terms like child custody and visitation. Instead, family court judges issue orders regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time.
Legal Options When a Parent Refuses to Pay Child Support
In Illinois, just like every state in the country, there are laws that say that each parent has a duty of support owed to their child. This duty extends to providing for the "reasonable and necessary physical, mental and emotional health needs of the child." The Illinois statute defines a child as one who is under 18 years of age and any child 19 years or younger who is still attending high school.
When a marriage, civil union, or relationship ends, or paternity has been established, the court has the authority to order one parent to pay the other parent child support. Which parent pays child support depends on how the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time is established (formerly referred to as child custody). Unfortunately, not all parents adhere to these child support orders and either fail to pay according to the ordered payment schedule or refuse to pay any support at all.
In these circumstances, what are the legal options for the parent who is not receiving child support payments?
Can I Appeal the Court’s Decision Regarding My Illinois Divorce?
When a divorcing couple cannot reach an agreement about property distribution, child custody, spousal maintenance, or other divorce terms, the case may go to trial. During a divorce trial, each side presents arguments and evidence that support their claims. The court considers each party’s arguments, examines the evidence, and then hands down a decision about the unresolved issues. If you have received a ruling from an Illinois court regarding your divorce that you disagree with, you may be able to appeal the court’s decision.
What Are the Grounds for Appealing a Divorce in Illinois?
You cannot successfully appeal a court’s decision simply because you do not agree with the court’s finding. If you believe that the judge was wrong, you will need to show grounds or reasons that justify an appeal. A successful appeal is possible when a court’s ruling is based on mistaken or false information. For example, if the information used by the judge when making the decision was incomplete or inaccurate, you may be able to appeal the decision. Procedural mistakes or an incorrect application of Illinois law may also justify an appeal.
When Does it Make Sense to Go to Trial During an Illinois Divorce?
Before a divorce is finalized, the terms of the divorce must be established. Depending on your situation, you may need to address the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, the division of property and debt, possession of the marital home, spousal maintenance, and more. Spouses are encouraged to reach an agreement about these issues outside of court. You and your spouse may be able to negotiate a settlement with help from your lawyers or through an alternative resolution method. However, some divorce cases simply cannot be resolved outside of court and the case goes to trial.
When a Spouse Refuses to Be Reasonable
You deserve to have a divorce settlement that is "equitable" or fair. While most divorcing spouses aim to avoid litigation, this is not always possible. If your soon-to-be-ex refuses to cooperate or insists on unreasonable terms, you may not be able to reach an agreement without giving up your right to a fair outcome. Unfortunately, some divorcing spouses will do whatever they can to make the divorce process as difficult on the other spouse as possible. They may insist on terms that they know are unfair just to draw out discussions and settlement negotiations. In cases like these, taking your case to trial may be the best way to ensure that your right to a fair divorce settlement is protected.
How Can COVID-19 Impact Parenting Time in Illinois Divorces?
The coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone’s life over the past year, albeit in different ways. Although vaccines have started being distributed, there are still restrictions in place, including here in Illinois. Stores, restaurants, and bars are limited to the number of patrons they can have indoors. As a result, many employees in the service industry are working at reduced hours or may even still be furloughed. Those individuals who work in office buildings are likely still performing their jobs remotely from home and utilizing video conferencing technology in place of in-person meetings. Likewise, the majority of students are in a virtual or hybrid learning environment. The consequences of COVID-19 may also be impacting parenting time arrangements for divorced couples. As a parent, it can be challenging to co-parent with your ex-spouse regarding any child-related matter during these uncertain times. Therefore, it is important to work together and understand when a parenting time schedule may need changing in order to maintain your children’s health and well-being.
What Are the Benefits of Divorce Mediation in Illinois?
Even though marriage is meant to be a permanent partnership between spouses, the unfortunate reality is that many marriages do not last. In some cases, disagreements about finances, children, or other issues can lead to the breakdown of a relationship, while in others, a couple may simply grow apart and find that they would be happier apart than together. When spouses choose to end their marriage through divorce, they have a number of options for resolving the various legal, financial, and personal issues that must be addressed as they separate their lives from each other. While litigation in court may be used to resolve disputes, in many cases, it is preferable to find less combative ways to address divorce-related concerns. Mediation is one of the best ways for couples to reach a divorce settlement, and it can provide a variety of benefits for both parties, as well as their children and others who are involved in their lives.
Do I Need to Be Separated Before Filing for Divorce in Illinois?
If you and your spouse are considering filing for divorce, it is unlikely a rash decision. Most couples will notice their relationship falling apart for months, or even years, before bringing up the idea of divorce. Couples will then typically live apart, also known as separation, for a period of time before deciding that divorce is the proper next step. Living separately for an extended period of time can be a good idea before filing for divorce, and some couples may choose to become legally separated as well. This will allow both you and your spouse to fully consider your options and truly understand what life would be like without your spouse. But what about those who cannot financially afford to move out on their own? Is separation required before filing for divorce in Illinois?
Irreconcilable Differences
Depending on the state that you live in, you may need to provide a reason or form of proof for ending your marriage, such as infidelity. Illinois only allows couples to file for divorce due to "irreconcilable differences." In other words, you do not have to give a specific cause for your ending relationship other than stating that your marriage has broken down beyond repair. Before 2016, Illinois law required couples to live separate and apart for two years before a divorce could be an option. If the couples agreed that they faced irreconcilable differences after six months of living separately, this two-year separation term could be reduced to just those six months.
From our offices in Wheaton and Geneva, Illinois, we help clients throughout the area including St. Charles, Batavia, Elgin, Elburn, Wheaton, Naperville, Yorkville, Oswego, Aurora, Kane County, DuPage County, and Kendall County.
