Posts By: MICHAEL C CRAVEN

Consider These Divorce Tips to Save Money

While you might see divorce as an end to your marriage, you should also remember it’s also a new beginning. One of the most impactful changes you’ll realize after completion of your divorce is your financial situation. After a period where you were once managing economic decisions as a team – and possibly even enjoying the fruits of two incomes – you’re now solely in control over your own fiscal destiny.   With control comes responsibility. You owe it to yourself to make smart, in...   Read more ...  

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Risks of Parental Alienation

Whether you’re embroiled in a difficult divorce or dealing with a paternity case, emotions run high as the proceedings pertain to custody and visitation for a minor child. Though the applicable Illinois statute now uses the terms “allocation of parental responsibilities” and “parenting time,” many of the same underlying concepts will be familiar. Unfortunately, that also means many of the same heated disputes can arise. These disagreements may lead one party to accuse the other of pare...   Read more ...  

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What Happens When Your Ex Fails to Co-Parent?

If you’re involved in child custody and visitation issues stemming from a divorce or paternity case in Illinois, you’re probably familiar with the concept of co-parenting. In many cases, the arrangement is preferred by courts, since the prevailing view is the child benefits by having strong relationships with both parents. This perspective is supported by experts as well. Child psychology experts point out the advantages of co-parenting for a child include higher self-esteem and enhanced soc...   Read more ...  

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Are Gifts and Loans Considered Income for Child Support Purposes?

If you’re dealing with child support issues in connection with divorce or paternity proceedings, you probably already know there are multiple factors that affect the amount. The Illinois statute on Property, Support and Attorney Fees (Section 505), lays out the calculation basics and authorizes relevant state agencies to establish rules regarding child support guidelines. In general, the determination depends upon the income of both parents and the amount of parenting time each is allocated; h...   Read more ...  

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Legalizing Marijuana and My Child Custody Case

Illinois first allowed marijuana for medical reasons through legislation enacted in 2013 and followed up this effort by legalizing marijuana for recreational use in May 2019. Though the most recent statute doesn’t become effective until January 2020, Crain’s Chicago Business has already predicted that revenue from recreational-use marijuana is expected to top $1.6 billion in the state.   Another issue regarding legal marijuana may come as a shock to anyone going through child custody pr...   Read more ...  

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How to Spot the Narcissist Holding up Your Case

  Published in the Thursday November 7, 2019 edition of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin   “Just who do you think you are?”   If you find yourself constantly asking that question while handling a case or legal matter — you might be interacting with a narcissist, a personality type that craves and demands special treatment.   In our legal world, a narcissist can make our lives difficult. The problem person can be your client, another party or even opposing counsel. To get...   Read more ...  

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