If you are considering divorce, it can be a painful process to initiate. There are several things to address, from finances to families; from the division of property to determining co-parenting schedules and child support payments. Before turning to divorce, there are some factors to consider that may mean your marriage is worth saving. One is […]
August 14, 2015
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 […]
August 7, 2015
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 […]
July 13, 2015
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 […]
July 6, 2015
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 […]
June 25, 2015
Mediation Can Help the Divorce Process
Depending on how well you and your spouse get along, mediation could be a better option than a traditional divorce. Mediation is the process in which a couple that is separating works with a professional to come to an agreement on all aspects of the divorce, rather than in the court system. This makes the process more […]
June 15, 2015
Surviving a High-Conflict Divorce
Divorce is difficult. However, a high-conflict divorcecan be even more strenuous. According to Dr. Kathy J. Marshack, a licensed psychologist and family/business coach, a high conflict divorce is any marital dissolution in which a separating couple cannot resolve differences in a rational or businesslike manner. Instead, a couple creates a costly and time-consuming war in or out […]
June 8, 2015
Calling it Quits: How to Tell Your Spouse You Want a Divorce
If you believe your marriage is coming to an end, telling your spouse that you want a divorce can be extremely difficult. Despite several years of fighting or failing to get along, the desire to divorce may come as a surprise to your spouse. Knowing how your spouse feels and the way in which you approach the topic […]
June 1, 2015
Financial Infidelity Can Ruin a Marriage
In recent years, much has been said and written about emotional infidelity. An emotional affair is a relationship, not necessarily physical, that is considered cheating due to the level of intimacy shared with a non-significant other. However, there is another, less intimate, form of infidelity—financial. Financial infidelity is any type of behavior in which one spouse […]
May 25, 2015
A Sexless Marriage is Grounds for Divorce
A healthy sexual relationship is an extremely important part of a healthy marriage. In fact, WebMD reports that an active sex life can stimulate feelings of emotional and physical security, translating to increased confidence levels and achievement levels throughout several aspects of one’s life. Sex and Marriage Statistics According to the National Opinion Research Center, the average American couple […]
May 18, 2015
Juvenile Criminals May be Eligible for Resentencing
Being charged with a felony is never an easy process; but when a child is charged with a crime, it can be a very long road—not just for the child but for his or her entire family. Certain cases, such as a recent case in Michigan, are visibly bunk and likely not to have lasting consequences for a […]
May 11, 2015
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 […]
May 4, 2015
Keeping a Vacation Home during Divorce
Dividing assets during a divorce can be one of the most complicated, and certainly most contentious, procedures of the entire process. One frequently asked questions that divorce attorneys face is how a client may be able to keep a house. While couples may decide that selling the marital home is best—for emotional reasons as well […]
April 23, 2015
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 […]
April 16, 2015
Domestic Violence and Divorce
Though it is not an issue that often gains the spotlight, domestic violence continues to be a serious one in modern society—one that is so engrained in a woman’s daily existence that it seems commonplace. In fact, according to an article on Forbes, one in four women have experienced domestic violence. New research indicates that in incredible five […]
April 12, 2015
Legal Recourse for Parental Alienation
Parental alienation is the systematic breakdown of a child’s relationship with one parent after a divorce. It most commonly occurs after a contested or particularly nasty divorce. One parent may harbor extremely negative or detrimental feelings of the other and wants their shared child or children to be on his or her “side.’ The most […]
April 2, 2015
Lifestyle Clauses in Prenuptial Agreements
Getting a prenuptial agreement can seem like it is not necessary if you and your soon-to-be spouse do not have large numbers of assets or wealth. Prenups, however, are important for everyone—and the growing trend of so-called lifestyle clauses in the agreement are making them even more relevant. Lifestyle clauses in prenups delineate what will occur financially […]
March 16, 2015
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 […]
February 16, 2015
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 […]
February 9, 2015
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 […]
February 2, 2015
Requesting a Child Support Modification in Illinois
If you are a divorced parent, chances are you have been through challenging and complicated proceedings concerning your children. Whether you and your ex-spouse share custody, or if custody was awarded to primarily one parent and visitation rights to the other, a child support order is likely to be part of the arrangement. Determining a Child Support […]
January 29, 2015
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 […]
January 23, 2015
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 […]
January 16, 2015
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 […]
January 9, 2015
What is a “Bird’s Nest” Co-Parenting Agreement?
Divorcing with children is never easy, but a new trend in divorce may make the dissolution of a parents’ marriage easier on children. This is because a so-called “bird’s nest” co-parenting agreement is the most child-centered co-parenting in which divorced parents can engage. A bird’s nest, or “nesting” agreement is one in which the children stay in […]
December 22, 2014
Cheating More Common during Holidays
Though attitudes about infidelity are slowly changing, extramarital affairs are still a major reason why nearly half of all American marriages end in divorce. The holiday season may just be the most common time to have an affair. According to The Huffington Post, data from the mobile dating app Clover revealed that more people, who are already […]
December 15, 2014
What is Parental Alienation Syndrome?
About 75 percent of missing children were abducted by a noncustodial parent. These tragic incidents are extreme examples of Parental Alienation Syndrome, a condition which is very common in divided families. Also known as “parental brainwashing” and even “malicious mother syndrome,” Parental Alienation Syndrome or PAS affects about one in five children. It comes in many forms, and parents who are going […]
December 8, 2014
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 […]
December 1, 2014
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 […]
November 20, 2014
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. […]
November 18, 2014
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 […]
November 11, 2014
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 […]
November 4, 2014
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 […]
October 27, 2014
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 […]
October 20, 2014
Staying in a Bad Marriage is More Damaging than Divorce
Going through a divorce is overwhelming. For some, life may seem like it is spiraling out of control. However, many unhappy marriages can be healed through therapy, couples counseling, or good old-fashioned hard work. In fact, according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy(AAMFT), more than 50,000 family therapists and marriage counselors are working in the […]
October 13, 2014
Defining Parental Alienation after Divorce
With technology infiltrating every aspect of modern society and a tendency for people to choose screens over traditional interaction, the idea of social alienation is one oft-discussed by sociologists and psychologist alike. Yet one of the oldest—and arguably most effecting—types of alienation is one perpetuated not by societal trends, but the oldest relationship in history: […]
October 6, 2014
Pet Custody Battles during Divorce
One of many complications of the divorce process is often overlooked—who gets the pets? For couples, especially those without children, determining who gets to keep the family dog or cat can be as difficult and emotional as a traditional custody battle. However, according to an article posted by The Huffington Post, in standard divorce law, pets are not […]
September 24, 2014
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 […]
September 18, 2014
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 […]
September 10, 2014
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 […]
September 4, 2014
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 […]
August 28, 2014
Advice for Divorced Dads
Being a divorced parent can be a difficult role for any adult. Not only does he or she have to deal with the fallout of the failure of marriage and partnership, divorced parents who are the non-custodial parent may also deal with the loss of regular contact with children. Illinois awards custody to whomever the court deems as the […]
August 20, 2014
Parental Gatekeeping and Custody Battles
Parental gatekeeping is a term used by divorceprofessionals and those going through marital dissolution and refers to protracted or restricted custody battles in which one parent keeps the children from the other. According to The Huffington Post, parental gatekeeping is the act of “facilitating or restricting the relationship with a parent and a child.” Limitations can be placed on […]
August 13, 2014
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders: What You Need to Know
National statistics regarding marriage and divorce have drastically changed in recent decades. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social factors such as the feminist movement, the increasing number of women in the American workforce, and altered perceptions of gender roles have contributed to these changing statistics. Also, the average age of divorce has continued to increase, as […]
August 7, 2014
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 […]
July 9, 2014
Resentment in Marriage Can Lead to Divorce
Resentment, regret, and guilt are three of the most powerful negative emotions a person can feel. None are desired in a healthy marriage, yet there are times when one or all three exist. Resentment in a marriagecan occur for a myriad of reasons, least of which is due to a specific action or infraction on the […]
July 3, 2014
The Benefits of Divorce for Children
Couples considering divorce may opt to stay together for a myriad of reasons. And one of the most common reasons is children. While there are several psychological studies that point to divorce and the lasting negative effects it can have on children, recent research points to the fact that oftentimes parents who stay in a bad marriage do […]
