In 2019, cohabitation, marriage and divorce are all closely linked. People are more likely to cohabit before getting married these days, as the social stigma has shifted. Young couples used to feel like they had to live separately or get married, but they now increasingly decide to live together before the marriage.
Putting the kids first when announcing a divorce
For you and your spouse, a divorce is something you spend a lot of time thinking about and talking about before you make it official. However, during this time, you do not tell your children. You don't want them to worry or feel involved in the process.
How can I guide my child during a divorce?
When you and your spouse decide to get a divorce in Illinois, you may wonder how to help your child. It may take several months to finalize a divorce and this can be a stressful time for many families. It is a good idea to help your child cope with the new situation.
Do I lose child support if my ex goes bankrupt?
Some Illinois parents depend greatly on child support to handle their child’s expenses. So the possibility of an ex-spouse declaring bankruptcy can be a frightening one. If your former spouse filed for bankruptcy, you might wonder if your ex is now released from paying child support. The answer to this question is no. Your ex would still be obligated to pay support even if bankruptcy is filed.
Do you fit the criteria for uncontested divorce?
As half of a couple in Illinois, you may have decided with your significant other that you would be better off if you were to get a divorce. Because of that agreement, you are already on the path for being eligible for an uncontested divorce. But what exactly is it, and how do you fully qualify?
When is it time to modify your divorce settlement?
When you receive your final divorce settlement, it is not set in stone. Contrary to what some may think, your divorce decree can be changed or modified to reflect certain changes that may occur throughout your life. Life events may arise that could make it difficult for you to carry out the terms listed in your settlement. If this should occur, it is possible to petition the court to modify the settlement and revise the terms listed in your divorce decree.
Is there more to marital property than just the family home?
If you are going through a divorce, you know first-hand that there are many issues that must be negotiated when creating a divorce settlement. One of the most difficult topics to tackle may be that of property division. It can be hard to seperate all of the marital property that you have accumulated throughout years of marriage. Yet, it is crucial that you understand all of the types of marital property to ensure you receive everything you are entitled to in the divorce settlement.
A look at joint-custody: What is best for kids
When parents decide to terminate their marriage, there are a host of factors to negotiate. One of the most stressful may be that of child custody. The judge presiding over the case will make the decision based on what is best for the kids. Traditionally, people thought children favored best when kept in the sole custody of one parent. That way, kids were not tracked back and forth from home to home and were able to spend the majority of time in one home. Yet studies show that kids who are raised in joint-custody homes may have advantages over those who are kept in sole-custody situations.
What Illinois courts consider when awarding spousal maintenance
Divorcing your spouse in Illinois leads to inevitable change, and while you might welcome some of those changes, you may have concerns about how you are going to support yourself, post-divorce, if you have not been a part of the workforce for some time. If this describes your situation, you may be thinking about pursuing spousal maintenance as a method of getting by and maintaining your standard of living. At the Law Office of Kerley & Associates, we understand the types of factors courts consider when awarding spousal maintenance, and we have helped many clients navigate this and numerous other divorce-related issues.
Taking a look at travel and family law
In recent years, travel has become increasingly popular. With access to an incredible amount of information online, affordable flights and a barrage of travel content on social media, many people enjoy visiting other parts of the country and traversing the globe. Moreover, some people travel for business purposes as well. Travel is often seen as glamorous, but it can create problems in relationships for a number of reasons, and there are various family law considerations when it comes to travel as well.