Prenup in Illinois: Understanding the Benefits and Legal Implications
The Role of Prenups in Illinois Marriages: Clarifying Financial and Legal Responsibilities The Role of a Prenup in Illinois Marriages A prenup in Illinois can be a vital component of a marriage, providing both clarity and protection for the spouses involved. While marriage is often viewed as a romantic partnership, it also entails significant financial […]
Child Custody When a Domestic Partnership Ends
Navigating Child Custody After a Domestic Partnership Dissolution The Importance of Child Custody in Domestic Partnerships Child custody becomes a critical issue when a domestic partnership ends, as determining the best arrangement for the children is paramount. The dissolution of any relationship, whether a marriage or a domestic partnership, involves complex emotional and legal challenges. […]
Understanding Paternity Testing: What It Accomplishes and Its Limitations
The Legal and Financial Significance of Paternity Testing “Mother’s baby, father’s maybe” is a phrase often referred to at the beginning of many parentage cases. Paternity testing plays a crucial role in determining the biological father of a child, carrying significant legal and financial implications. Establishing paternity legally obligates the father to provide financial support, […]
Fathers Seek Changes in Child Custody Laws
Child custody laws in Illinois are being challenged by a group of fathers called Dads Can Too, who believe joint custody should be the default arrangement in custody hearings. These fathers argue that they have struggled for years to be more involved in their children’s lives and want to be seen as equal caretakers. Currently, Illinois law gives judges the flexibility to determine custody based on the best interests of the child, without a presumption in favor of joint custody.
Avoiding an Acrimonious Custody Battle
The unfortunate reality across the country is that couples continue to end their marriages. Divorce is a major decision that requires careful thought and consideration. There are several layers to address, including financial and property assets. But one of the biggest issues couples face are the arrangements to be put in place for any children of […]
Protective Orders in Domestic Violence Cases
Domestic violence often remains hidden behind closed doors, with many victims afraid to speak out due to fear or cultural stigma. In the U.S., one in three women and one in four men have experienced physical violence from an intimate partner, and thousands of cases go unreported. If you or a loved one is facing abuse, legal protections such as an order of protection are available. These court orders can help prevent further harm by restricting an abuser’s actions, securing your safety, and ensuring temporary custody of children. The experienced attorneys at Mulyk Laho Law can guide you through the legal process with compassion and expertise, helping you obtain the protection you deserve.
Can Child Custody Mediation Work for You?
One of the most important and emotional factors in a divorce is figuring out how children of the marriage will be cared for. When going through a divorce, there are many issues to take into consideration. Where a couple has accumulated significant assets such as financial holdings, business ownership, real estate, trusts, and retirement assets, […]
Appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem in a Family Law Case
The phrase, “in the best interests of a child” is a common but important phrase when it comes to protecting the youngest members of society. There are many situations where children need to be shielded from sensitive situations but their rights must be paramount. Certain legal situations such as a divorce, ensuing custody battles, criminal […]
Understanding Upcoming Changes to Illinois Child Support Laws
The Illinois legislature has made some changes to the way child support is calculated, and it may impact your court-ordered child support. On July 1, 2017, courts will determine child support based on the “income shares” model. What Is the Income Shares Model? How Does It Differ from the Current Law? Under the income shares model, both […]
Modified Child Support: College-Bound Children and Requests for Adjustments
Modified child support is often necessary when addressing college-bound children, as educational expenses can add significant financial strain. As children of divorced or separated parents grow, their needs evolve, and this can require adjustments in support to cover college tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Experienced legal counsel can help ensure that all future needs are considered and that agreements are fair and comprehensive for both parties.
How to File for an Annulment under Illinois Law
When you file for an annulment, you’re requesting that the court declare the marriage invalid, meaning it is treated as though it never existed, unlike a divorce which ends a valid marriage. In Illinois, specific criteria must be met to qualify for an annulment, including lack of mental capacity, impotence, underage marriage without consent, or cases of an illegal marriage. Filing deadlines depend on the grounds for annulment, so consulting an attorney is crucial to determine eligibility and to file within the required time limits.
Fighting a Child Relocation in Illinois
Child relocation can be a distressing prospect, especially when the other parent’s move could mean seeing your child less often. If your child ends up hours away, those valuable extra moments—when the other parent works late or needs to go to the doctor—might no longer be possible. How can you handle this potential loss, and […]
How to Handle Parenting Time Schedules When Your Child Is Sick
Parenting time schedules can be challenging to navigate when a child falls ill, especially for single parents sharing custody. Although it’s natural to want to care for your sick child, adhering to the established parenting schedule is essential unless there’s a valid reason otherwise. Allowing the other parent to care for the child can be beneficial, providing a sense of security and helping the child see both parents as reliable caregivers. Communication is key, and sharing medical details and instructions can ease the transition and ensure consistent care between households. If the child is too ill to leave, consider inviting the other parent to visit in your home.
Behavior During Divorce
Behavior during divorce can significantly impact the outcome of your proceedings, so it’s essential to avoid actions that might harm your case. Engaging in destructive or illegal behavior, whether in public or private, can lead to less favorable legal results and may be used against you in court. Maintaining a calm, respectful demeanor can help you navigate this challenging time more effectively, ensuring that your actions align with your long-term interests.
De-Establishing Paternity in Illinois
In most cases, biological parents are ordered to pay child support to help provide for expenses related to raising their children. There is, however, a strange and little known about law regarding child custody and support that could enforce a man to pay child support for a child that is not biologically his. That law, along with […]
Child Custody Modifications in Illinois
Child custody modifications in Illinois allow parents to request changes to an existing order when circumstances significantly change. Common reasons for modification include shifts in work schedules, a parent moving, or changes in the child’s health and needs. Courts prioritize the child’s best interests, and if both parents agree on the proposed modifications, a judge is likely to approve them.
The Role of Civil Unions for Unmarried Couples in Illinois
Many people mistakenly think of civil unions as something that no longer is needed because of the recent ruling of the Supreme Court extending the right of marriage to same sex couples all across the United States. However, in Illinois, civil unions are still an important part of family law that can benefit both heterosexual and homosexual […]
How Does the Illinois Child Support Process Work When Parents Split Up?
One of the biggest questions parents have when they split up is how will child support work. Parents have a legal duty to financially support their children, and that obligation does not end just because the relationship has ended. Child Support Guidelines Illinois has a set of guidelines judges are required to consider when setting child support. […]
Can Mediation Help You Settle Your Divorce?
Divorces can be difficult cases to resolve because the issues are deeply personal and the stakes are so high. However, most people will be happier with a solution they have a role in creating than a solution imposed by a court order. Mediation can help spouses resolve their differences and create a solution that works for everyone. […]
Preparing for an Adoption in Illinois
Deciding to bring a child into your life can be an exciting, life changing, and fulfilling decision. There are hundreds of children in the Illinois child welfare system hoping to find a loving parent or family. Having the stability of a strong family life is key to children’s development, and many Illinois residents are qualified […]
Prenuptial Agreements: No Matter What Age You Wed
What age presents the least risk of divorce for couples to get married at? For years, young couples have been told it is best to wait until they are older and more settled to wed, but is that really accurate advice? According to a new study, waiting may actually increase the risk of divorce. The study […]
Sexless Marriage and Divorce
Lack of sex is one major and very socially acceptable reason for divorce, yet lack of sex — or frequency of it — is a very subjective line to draw. What one couple may call a sexless marriage, another may call very sexually active. So how to draw the line of what is considered a sexless […]
Adoption and Reactive Attachment Disorder
When a family decides to adopt a child, it is never an easy decision or one to take lightly. Not only will a new child in the family drastically change family dynamics, but there is also the consideration of the child who is being adopted—will he or she fit in with the rest of the family? Will […]
Divorce Can Make You a Better Parent
Contrary to sometimes-popular belief, divorce can be good for children. If the marriage is especially explosive, it can be more detrimental to a child’s psyche than the dissolution of the union of his or her parents. When parents who are not in love—or who have an especially volatile relationship—“stay together for the kids,” it can often teach […]
What Marriage Equality Means for Same-Sex Couples
In late June, the Supreme Court announced a historic ruling that effectively standardized marriage laws nationwide. Same-sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states, and will now be considered in the same ways as straight marriage—with all its ups and downs and confusing or complicating factors. As such, one can assume that the same types of […]
Post-Divorce Finances: The Basics
If you are going through a divorce, figuring out your financial future can be one of the most daunting prospects of the entire ordeal. Knowing exactly what you are dealing with can help to ensure that you are not left without options after your finances are separate. This can be especially important if you were not […]
Are Your Prenup Fears Unfounded?
The stigma surrounding divorce may be tapering; however, the idea of a prenuptial agreement still causes many to run away scared. The suggestion or insistence of a prenuptial agreement may be viewed as a sign that one’s partner plans to end a marriage early, or is not in it—so to speak—for the long haul. It may also be interpreted […]
Civil Unions: Not Just for Same-Sex Couples
With the increasing social acceptance of same-sex marriages across the country, many states are moving away from civil unions for same-sex couples. In February of 2014, according to the Cook County Clerk’s office, marriage licenses for same-sex couples became available, and a marriage equality law went into effect for the state of Illinois. While this certainly cut down […]
Divorce and Infidelity: Facts and Figures
Infidelity can tear apart a couple. And for those who have experienced infidelity, it may seem like the leading cause for divorce. However, cheating is not the only major cause for marital dissolution. In fact, according to a report published by Utah State University, a “lack of commitment” is even more common. Moreover, there are several factors […]
Coping with Anxiety over a Joint Custody Agreement
While shared or joint custody may seem like the best and most fair option for all parties involved after a divorce, it is not always easy. According to a personal story in The New York Times, learning how to deal with the separation from your child when it is the other parents’ turn to have custody can be […]
Defining Guardian ad Litem in Illinois
If you are going through a divorce, or have had a cataclysmic event in your family, issues of child custody may arise. If a court determines that a child is unsafe, or will not be provided for in the home of his or her parents or parent, a court will rule that the child must […]
Divorce and Remarriage in the New Year
It is that time of year again … for divorce. Known as “divorce month,” January sees a surge in divorce filings. Additionally, the first working Monday of the New Year has been dubbed the most popular day of the year to begin divorce proceedings. In an article on Yahoo! News, James McLaren, president of the American Academy […]
Spousal Maintenance Reform Comes to the Land of Lincoln
For the last several years, advocates of alimony change in Illinois, New Jersey, South Carolina, and a number of other jurisdictions have asked their state legislatures to change spousal support laws. Last year, the Illinois state legislature passed significant revisions to the alimony law in Section 504. A judge still has some discretion when setting an amount and […]
Tips for Telling Your Spouse You Want a Divorce
Initiating a divorce can be extremely difficult and emotional. However, once all other options have been explored and you are ready to begin the process, it is important to seek legal counsel. Working with an experienced professional from the onset of the process can help to save time and money, and it can also provide you with a […]
What is a “Bird’s Nest” Co-Parenting Agreement?
A co-parenting agreement is a structured plan that outlines how divorced or separated parents will raise their children together, ensuring stability and consistency in the child’s life.
Tips for Divorce during the Holidays
Divorce is difficult. The holidays are difficult. And when the two coincide, it can be one of the most agonizing times in a person’s life. Even if a marriage has been going downhill for some time, this can be particularly hard to remember during the holiday season when stereotypes of intact families and joyous partnerships […]
Obtaining a Mortgage after Divorce
Moving on after divorce can sometimes mean exactly that: moving. Changing homes can be both emotionally draining and time-consuming. Additionally, in a worst-case scenario, the person who is forced to leave the marital home is not the one who wanted the divorce in the first place. Unfortunately, for many, it does not get easier. According to an […]
Illinois National Adoption Day Festivities Kick Off Saturday
This year marks the 15th anniversary of National Adoption Day—an initiative started to help move the nearly 10,000 children in U.S. foster care into permanent, loving homes. While it is not run by one advocacy group, it is a collective effort of policymakers, practitioners, and advocates who work together to finalize adoptions that are in the works. […]
Duggars Tie the Knot in Covenant Marriage
Covenant marriage was back in the news recently, when Jill Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting marriedDerick Dillard in Bentonville, Arkansas. The couple is now expecting their first child. Jill’s sister, Jessa Duggar, recently married Ben Seewald. That ceremony was notable because of a celebrity appearance by actor Kirk Cameron and the couple’s decision to forego the […]
When Mediation Works in Illinois
Ending a marriage is consistently rated as one of the most stressful life events that a person can go through. According to the American Institute of Stress’s Holmes-Rahe Life Stress Inventory, divorce is the second most stressful event a person can endure, second only to the death of a spouse. Marital separation from one’s mate is […]
Divorced Parent Paying for College: Planning Ahead
Sorting through complicated financial issues is one major hurdle that many divorcees fear. There may be complex decisions to make regarding spousal support or alimony, the division of property, or issues of child support when applicable. Additionally, if you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse have children together, sorting out how you plan to pay for your […]
Property Division after Divorce: A Brief Guide
Difficult emotions, stress, and heated arguments are not the only hurdles divorcing couples face. One of the more tricky aspects of divorce is the division of property. Several gray areas exist and can lead to conflict between separating spouses, especially when an attorney is not present to review ownership and legal stipulations. Although property division is a […]
Grandparent Visitation Rights in Illinois
All aspects of a family are affected by divorce. Not only are the children of divorce affected by the marital dissolution, the parents of the parents are also affected. Grandparent rights are often considered the most complicated visitation arrangements to be settled during a divorce, and not all grandparents have a right to visitation. According to The Huffington […]
Are Courts Taking Away the Rights of Divorced Parents?
Divorced parents may be losing their rights, at least according to a recent opinion piece in The New York Times. Divorced parents can sue each other; however, married parents cannot. When this happens, judges are often left to determine what is best for the children of divorce—including where they will go to school and where they […]
Back-to-School Co-Parenting
If you are a parent, back-to-school time can be one of the most stressful and busiest of the year. There are new clothes to buy, supplies to shop for, schedules to sort, and busy student days to work into your workday. This can be all the more complicated if you are divorced and have decided […]
Advice for Co-Parenting after Divorce
Divorce is never easy. But sharing parenting duties after marital dissolution may be an even more difficult than the divorce itself. Not only does co-parenting after divorce force you to remain on good enough terms with your ex-spouse and successfully navigate shared schedules, duties, and responsibilities, it also means that you will likely have to see your ex-spouse […]
To Keep Or Not to Keep the Marital Home
One of the most complicated steps of divorce is the division of marital property. If you and your spouse have been married for several years, this is all the more complex—especially if you have multiple pieces of property, cars, or share financial or operational duties in a small business. If you are considering divorce, the importance […]