Posts By: MICHAEL C CRAVEN

How to Prepare for Your Initial Meeting with a Divorce Attorney

There are a few tasks you’ll need to cross off your To-Do list when you’re contemplating divorce. You’ll make considerable headway by scheduling an initial consultation with a Chicago divorce attorney. This first meeting is crucial, so you want to make the most of your time. Your lawyer will be taking the lead on the essential legal requirements, but you’ll need to do your part as well by tackling a few items to prepare for your appointment. 1. Be aware of the issues you’ll address dur...   Read more ...  

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Mortgage Refinancing Post-Divorce

As you may be aware, one of the most important issues that arises during the divorce process is how to distribute property spouses acquired during their marriage. The Illinois divorce statute on division of property requires marital assets be divided equitably, which means according to the interests of fairness – not an exact 50-50 split. With many types of property, such as bank accounts, retirement benefits, automobiles and similar assets, getting to an equitable division is relatively strai...   Read more ...  

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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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