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Divorce Basics: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Maladjustment in Your Child
The divorce process can have a negative impact on all involved parties, but child experts say that it is children who are at the greatest risk for long-term, negative effects. Part of this can be attributed to their lack of control in the situation, but there are other aspects of a divorce that can increase a child’s risk of developing mental, emotional, or behavioral issues during the process. For example, studies suggest children are more likely to suffer from maladjustment if interactions between their parents are contentious or tumultuous during the proceedings.
What is Childhood Maladjustment?
Childhood development is a complex process. Its course is determined by both nature and nurture - or what some would call a child’s environment and genetic makeup. Major events that change the dynamics of a family, whether positive or negative, can also have an impact on a child’s development. The birth of a sibling is usually seen as a positive influence, as they must learn to share their time, toys, and attention, which can ultimately make them more compassionate and empathetic people.
Prenuptial Agreements and the New Tax Law - Why a Review of Your Documents May Be Necessary in 2019
Data suggests that more couples are signing prenuptial agreements before getting married, which could be a good thing, as data suggests that couples are less likely to divorce when they have one in place. However, those that have one already may need to review their documents, come 2019.
How the New Tax Law is Expected to Impact Existing Prenuptial Agreements
The new tax law, set to go into effect on January 1, 2019, is expected to impact both married and divorcing couples in a significant way. For those going through a divorce, it may affect alimony payments—both in amount and how willing a party is to make them. It is this aspect of the new law that also affects prenuptial agreements.
For the past 70 years, alimony payments have been tax-deductible for the payor and taxed as income for receivers. The new tax law eliminates this element of divorce law. Sadly, this change is expected to leave less money for the family, as a whole. Without the tax benefit, payers may have less discretionary spending money than their spouses. The courts have to balance this out by reducing the alimony payment amount, so even though the receiving party may not have to report the payments as taxable income, they may ultimately receive less money. Neither party benefits from this, unfortunately, but the change is inevitable.
Tips for Managing Your Money as You Prepare for the Divorce Process
Divorce can be a costly endeavor - especially when you are not prepared for the process. Thankfully, it is possible to place yourself ahead of the proceedings. Learn how with the following pre-divorce money management tips, and discover how our seasoned Wheaton divorce lawyers can help you with the process, long before you ever even file.
1. Track Income, Assets, and Expenses
Before filing for divorce, it is crucial that you have a clear understanding of your financial situation. All debts, income, real estate, retirement accounts, pension plans, and other assets (i.e. jewelry, collections, etc.) that were acquired during the marriage should be considered. Once you have all the information you need, such as account statements and appraisals, make copies and store them in a safe place where your spouse cannot find them, such as in a safety deposit box or at a relative’s house. Also, be sure to regularly update documentation on any assets that may fluctuate in value, such as your bank account or retirement account.
How Child Endangerment Charges Can Affect Parental Rights During an Illinois Divorce
While many marriages end amicably, there are some that end with bitter words and violence. In an alarming number of these cases, the abuse dates back to before the marriage's dissolution. Thankfully, victims of abuse can find at least some solace in the law; they are afforded many protections in the workplace, and they have the right to seek an order of protection to keep their abuser at bay. However, if there are children involved, their divorce case usually becomes far more complicated.
Understanding How Illinois Views Parental Rights
Parental rights are not intended for the parent; the courts afford them to parents to protect a child’s right to receive financial and emotional support from both of its biological parents. Because of this, victims of abuse may need to face some scary possibilities during their divorce:
- Abusers may still be permitted access to the children. If the courts determine that the children have not been abused and are not at risk for abuse, they may be permitted both parenting time and a share of the allocation of parental responsibilities;
Divorce Mediation in Illinois - Addressing Some of the Most Frequently Asked Questions
Divorce mediation has quickly become a popular way for parties to divorce - and not just because it offers a more cost-effective way to dissolve a marriage. Mediation also encourages cooperation and compromise between the divorcing parties, which can help to improve the overall outcome for divorcing parents, older divorcing couples splitting a retirement, and couples with a high net worth marriage. Still, divorcing parties often feel more at ease when they know what to expect from the divorce mediation process. Learn more in the following sections, which address some of the most frequently asked questions about divorce mediation in Illinois.
What is Divorce Mediation?
Before mediation, divorcing parties were pitted against one another and placed on opposite sides in court litigation. Sadly, this led to many poor outcomes, especially for children. Mediation works differently. It encourages the parties to compromise and come to an agreement that works for all involved parties (parents, children, and even pets). Parties who successfully reach an agreement can avoid court proceedings altogether, but if an agreement cannot be made, the parties may still address their issues in court and allow a judge to decide on the matters that are pertinent or problematic in their divorce.
5 Co-Parenting Tips to Help Your Blended Family Enjoy the Holiday Season
Holidays can be a stressful time for anyone, but for blended families, the season can be especially trying. There are additional challenges that come with an increasing and revolving number of faces, such as multiple or various family schedules and changing or canceled plans. Thankfully, there are some strategies that blended families can use to minimize stress and encourage bonding and a happier holiday season.
1. Develop a Plan and Discuss It with the Kids
Even though holiday plans can (and often do) change, it is important for your family to start with a framework. It can give you guidance and allow you to block out time more efficiently. When events conflict, work hard to come up with a compromise.
Realize that, above all else, what everyone truly wants is for the children to enjoy the holiday season as much as possible. Family times, such as when grandparents are in town, are good to prioritize, as are any holiday traditions that can still be carried out, even after the massive changes of divorce (i.e. purchasing a living tree and then planting it at the end of the season).
DCFS Investigations in Illinois - What Are Your Rights and How Can You Protect Them?
Parents and guardians who experience an investigation from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) are often caught in a whirlwind of emotion. Worry, fear, and anxiety may plague them both night and day. Little can be done to truly ease these worries, but with proper legal representation and an in-depth understanding of your rights, it is possible to increase your family’s chances of a favorable outcome during a DCFS investigation.
An Overview of the DCFS Investigation Process
DCFS investigations can occur for a number of reasons, but they tend to fall into one of three categories: abuse, neglect, or dependency. These are defined as follows:
Abuse and neglect cases: Can be filed, even if only one parent is thought to be abusive or neglectful to the child. Cases may also be filed based on what is known as “anticipatory neglect,” in which children are considered to be at significant risk of abuse; and
Communicating with Your Child About Pain and Grief Can Protect Them Against the Negative Effects of an Illinois Divorce
While many studies have indicated that children can recover from the emotional turmoil of a divorce (and may, in some situations, fare better in divorce than if their parents stayed together), they are still vulnerable and innocent parties who can be significantly and negatively impacted by the process. As such, parents are encouraged to make every reasonable effort to mitigate the risk of divorce-related maladjustment in their child. One of the more effective ways to do this is through communication - and not just about the divorce itself, but also the feelings that children are likely to experience as they adjust to the changes of their new life.
Grief, Loss, and Pain Impacts Children During Divorce
Divorcing parents were once led to believe that children were “resilient” enough to withstand the emotional turmoil of divorce without any long-term, negative effects, but more recent data disproves this outdated theory. Children can experience maladjustment issues from a divorce, even if they do not display any immediate signs or symptoms. That is because, like adults, children can experience the complexity of grief, loss, pain, stress, and even self-blame during the divorce process. If not addressed appropriately, those feelings can simmer below the surface, only to emerge at a later date - and often at a time when the parent least expects it.
Guarding Against the Underhanded Tactics of a Vengeful Spouse During an Illinois Divorce
Most divorcing couples realize that compromise is the least difficult path in a divorce. Sadly, there are those who will stop at nothing to “get even” or get what they want. Take a divorcing Oklahoma woman’s situation for example.
During a meeting with her husband to sign paperwork for their divorce, he allegedly handed her a drugged cup of coffee. While it took her a while to realize that something was “off,” she ultimately discovered that she had been drugged after taking an over-the-counter drug test.
At that time, she also realized that their 3-month-old baby had been breastfed three times since consuming the coffee. She voluntarily took the baby to the hospital to ensure its safety, and she reported the incident to the police. The woman then pressed criminal charges and sought a restraining order against her husband to ensure the future safety or herself and her child.
Woman and Child Could Have Suffered a Terrible Fate
What is a Divorce Coach, and Do You Need One for Your Illinois Divorce?
Today, the word “coach” extends far beyond the world of sports. In fact, you can find a coach for almost anything these days - life coaches, weight loss coaches, and even divorce coaches. What is a divorce coach, and do you really need one during your Illinois divorce. Moreover, how might these professionals fit into your divorce team and overall strategy? The following information can help you learn more.
What is a Divorce Coach?
As the name implies, divorce coaches assist parties as they navigate through the complexities of their separation. The application of these services can be logistical, emotional or even just supportive. For example, your divorce coach might assist you with tasks like gathering paperwork or creating and maintaining a budget, or their work may entail connecting you with a support group or therapist while you work through the grieving process. Just remember that a divorce coach should never be thought of as a replacement for a seasoned divorce lawyer. Divorce coaches cannot provide you with detailed legal advice, nor can they handle the complex legal paperwork and process of a divorce. For this type of assistance, you still need an attorney.
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