The division of assets during a divorce is a critical aspect of family law, and it often leads to questions about the marital property laws that govern the legal process for people going through a divorce. The phrase "community property" has a variety of different meanings, both in terms of the legal definitions and in colloquial use. Some states in the U.S. apply community … [Read more...] about Is Illinois a Community Property State?
What is the best holiday visitation schedule?
The holiday visitation schedule for your children is probably on your mind a lot as we approach Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day this year. Your custody holiday schedule is hopefully already outlined in your Illinois parenting plan so that your family can celebrate Christmas without the stress of thinking about your child custody case. How do … [Read more...] about What is the best holiday visitation schedule?
How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer
Set Your Goals and Priorities By far the most important step in choosing the right attorney for you happens before you even start making phone calls to schedule consultations. You need to determine your goals and list the priorities in your divorce. While parenting time with your children may be an obvious top priority, what about division of assets? Division of debts? … [Read more...] about How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer
Can you lose your license for unpaid child support?
There are several ways to try to enforce your child support, such as Income Withholding Orders to have child support automatically deducted from a payroll check, Contempt of Court for child support including jail time, and the suspension of licenses is another mechanism of enforcement of child support. Every state has a child support enforcement department, which … [Read more...] about Can you lose your license for unpaid child support?
Giving Thanks for Your Holiday Parenting Time Schedule
Visitation with Your Kids at Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is one of the most special days of the year with your children. If you are divorced or otherwise living separately from your child's other parent, Thanksgiving can be a source of stress when coordinating holiday parenting time. A formal Illinois or Wisconsin Parenting Plan can help ease this stress … [Read more...] about Giving Thanks for Your Holiday Parenting Time Schedule
Handling Halloween Visitation
How is Halloween addressed in your Parenting Plan? Your parenting plan should address the holidays that are important to you, and for many people that includes Halloween. It may not be at the top of your list like Christmas or Mother's Day or Father's Day, but Halloween is a holiday that feels like it is limited - your kids are only young once. Most parents want to spend as … [Read more...] about Handling Halloween Visitation
Second Stimulus Checks and Child Support
Many of our clients and readers have questions about the second round of stimulus checks and child support and how or if the money will be divided between co-parents. Important Note: We are not tax professionals. For tax questions related to how the second round of stimulus checks will affect you, please consult with your tax professional. When will I get my check? The … [Read more...] about Second Stimulus Checks and Child Support
Amy Coney Barrett and LGBTQ Family Law Implications
This week the United States Senate confirmed Amy Coney Barrett to the highest court in the land to solidify the Court's conservative majority. While the current state of LGBTQ marriage law appears stable, estate planning and family lawyers will experience an increase in need for the following to protect the financial security of same-sex spouses: Wills Living … [Read more...] about Amy Coney Barrett and LGBTQ Family Law Implications
Do you have ongoing COVID-19 custody problems in your family?
Visitation, Exchanges, and Withholding Parenting Time Issues due to COVID-19 Is your child's other parent withholding your child from you due to the novel coronavirus? The pandemic is not an acceptable reason to alter a parenting time agreement and your visitation and exchange schedule with your child should not be altered without the agreement of both parties. If you, … [Read more...] about Do you have ongoing COVID-19 custody problems in your family?
Will school closures affect your custody and visitation?
Governor Pritzker of Illinois has closed Illinois schools for in-person classes for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. This school closure follow's Pritzker's order to shelter at home, which specifically allowed for visitation exchanges between homes as part of essential travel. The same rules apply in the State of Wisconsin, where Governor Evers' shelter-in-place … [Read more...] about Will school closures affect your custody and visitation?
