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A postnuptial agreement is not unlike a premarital agreement, with the key difference being that it takes place during a marriage rather than before. Postnuptial agreements have increased in popularity in recent years and are a great way to secure assets in the event of a divorce. An attorney experienced in postnuptial agreements is a solid investment when the time comes to draft one yourself.
It is not uncommon for a couple to want to define their property rights should a divorce occur. Illinois law states that marital assets must be divided fairly and equitably between a divorcing couple. This means that you could see property that you think belongs to you, split between yourself and your soon-to-be ex-spouse in a divide you may not think is fair. Postnuptial agreements can put the divide in the hands of you and your spouse. One can act as a safety net against future property division in divorce cases.
“Everything was great, then out of the blue it all changed.” How often have you heard this uttered from divorced couples’ mouths? Individuals such as these never imagined or saw how imminent their divorce was until it was too late. Perhaps you are in a similar situation or feel that things have started to change for the worse in your marriage. You are not alone. Couples are divorcing more and more every year and one of the major things to blame is not noticing the early warning signs.
A marriage is meant to be sacred and binding. However, not every married couple goes on to live happily ever after. With divorce being more common now than ever before, it is important to consult a divorce attorney to assess your situation and make sure you come out of it better in the end.
Disagreements, obstacles, and challenges are just some of the things one should expect when entering the covenant of marriage. It is when communication breaks down, disrespect becomes a long-standing pattern, and intimacy falls by the wayside that you should begin to worry.
A parenting plan outlines how two parents will share the responsibility of raising their children after divorce or separation. They are important because they can help to reduce conflict between parents and provide stability and consistency for children. They are also necessary as part of a divorce decree including minor children.
When choosing a lawyer to help you with your parenting plan, it is important to choose one with experience handling divorce and child custody cases. You should also feel comfortable with whom you choose and trust them to represent you and your child’s best interests.
Illinois law requires parents to decide on who has decision-making responsibility over a child. The responsibilities include a child’s health care, education, and religious upbringing. Parenting plans must also include a parenting time schedule describing the division of the children's time between the parents. This may include a weekly schedule, a holiday schedule, and a summer vacation schedule.
A good neighbor may show concern for a child’s well-being if they fear for the safety of that child. On the other hand, they can also be extremely nosey or toxic in some circumstances. Regardless of someone’s motivation, when a call about potential child abuse comes through, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is required to look into any issues that may concern a child’s well-being. The DCFS is a government agency that is responsible for protecting children from abuse and neglect.
There are some things to expect when a neighbor calls and provides a report to DCFS. For any questions or concerns about a DCFS investigation, you should contact an attorney. They can help ease your worries and provide information on how to navigate the process.
Within 24 hours of the first hotline report, DCFS will assign the case to a Child Protection Investigator (CPI). DCFS has 60 days to complete the investigation to provide evidence of your child’s abuse or neglect and decide if they are at further risk. The deadline can be extended if the CPI investigator can show a good reason for it and receives approval from their supervisor.
Child guardianship is an arrangement where a court legally appoints one person or more to care for a child who is unable to be cared for by their parents. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as parental death, disability, or abandonment.
There are three main types of child guardianship in Illinois:
Plenary guardianship
Standby guardianship
Short-term guardianship
Child guardianship can be a complex and emotional issue. However, with the help of an experienced attorney, you can navigate the process and ensure that the child's best interests are protected.
Plenary guardianship is the most comprehensive type of guardianship. The Probate Act of 1975, gives a guardian full authority to make decisions about a child's person and estate. When the court grants plenary guardianship, a guardian has the same rights and responsibilities as a parent. This includes decisions about a child's care and upbringing, such as where they will live, what school they will attend, and what medical care they will receive. The guardian also has the authority to manage a child's money and property.
In Illinois, you cannot legally divorce someone without their knowledge. Both spouses must be served with divorce papers before the divorce can be finalized. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but they are very limited.
Considering a divorce but not sure how to go about filing? Speak with an attorney to discuss your options as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand your rights, provide guidance, and legally represent you in court if necessary.
It is important to know the location of your spouse during a divorce for a few reasons:
To serve them with the divorce papers
To discuss the terms of the divorce with them
To reach an agreement on child custody and support
To protect your assets
Establishing paternity is an important step in securing legal rights as a father. It is also a great way for the father and child to connect on an emotional level. In Illinois, there are options for establishing paternity after childbirth. This is achievable in a few different ways.
As a father in Illinois considering establishing paternity, it is important to speak with an experienced family law attorney to discuss your options. An attorney can help you understand the benefits and risks of establishing paternity and can help you file the necessary legal documents.
The first way in which a person can determine paternity is through a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP). A VAP is a document that is signed by you and the mother stating that you are the child’s father.
Another way to establish post-birth paternity is through judgment by the court. If the mother of the child does not agree to sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, you can file a petition with the court to establish paternity.
When a divorce happens, one of the parents may choose to move far away. However, if the couple has children, a judge usually decides where they will live and how the parents will take care of the kids. With time, however, one of the parents may start a new romantic relationship and want to move to another state to start a new family. If you do not agree with your ex’s plan for parental relocation you need an experienced Illinois attorney to help you navigate these sensitive family law issues.
Relocation comes into play when parents in Chicago’s collar counties consider moving somewhere more than 25 miles away with a child they share with a co-parent. Courts will also consider a move a relocation in other cases, when a parent wishes to move further than 50 miles away within the state of Illinois or to a different state more than 25 miles away.
Blended families are the result of parents and kids merging from different backgrounds to form a new family. When divorce enters this dynamic, it can bring challenges that deserve careful thought. There are many factors blended families should consider when dealing with divorce.
A blended family can face complex communication and conflict issues. With multiple parents and stepparents, each with their own ideas, open dialogue is vital. Effective communication can help untangle these knots and resolve conflicts.
Divorce can be especially tricky for stepparents. Feeling like an outsider or less important than biological parents is common. Navigating this territory requires patience and building relationships with children slowly.
Blended families also grapple with sibling rivalry, where kids vie for attention or resources. Sibling rivalry can be an issue in any family but is especially complicated in a blended family. It can be more challenging due to varying relationships with parents and stepparents. Parents need to be aware of this and address it positively.
In Illinois, parents have the option of planning for their child’s college expenses when they get divorced. Provisions related to future college costs can be included in a parenting plan or incorporated into the divorce decree. In some cases, a parent can even be court-ordered to cover their share of the child’s college-related expenses during contested divorce. It is likely wise for parents to begin - or continue - planning for their child’s future educational needs when they get divorced. Establishing a financial plan for college can help your child feel that they are loved and cared for by both parents despite these major changes. Making this type of plan can reassure your child that you are still going to work together to benefit them. It can also alleviate later financial stress and prevent future disagreements regarding which parent is responsible for what share of college costs. An attorney can help you develop a strong planning strategy.
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