Posts By: MICHAEL C CRAVEN

Why Proving Paternity Is Important

Establishing paternity means making someone the legal father of a child, along with all the responsibilities and privileges that come with that status. It is often necessary to do when children are born outside of official marriages. Completing the process successfully grants children and parents rights equal to those of married families. Please do not use anything in this article as legal advice. Also, please know that you may have already taken the first step by filling out some forms at the h...   Read more ...  

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What To Consider When Getting a Divorce Near Retirement Age

Getting a divorce close to retirement is often significantly different from getting one when you have your whole career ahead of you. You will probably have to deal with some unique situations, so please do not use this article as legal advice. You should involve an attorney and probably also an accountant or financial planner, when making these decisions.   That said, there is some good news: Divorcing near retirement often means less complexity surrounding your children. However, there is...   Read more ...  

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Five Soft Skills to Develop to Become an All-Around Legal Expert

  Published in the Tuesday September 18, 2019 edition of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin   What sets successful lawyers apart? Maybe, in some cases, it is sharp legal skills and tight billing practices. However, I believe success in the competitive business side of law, especially when attracting clients and expanding networks, is often due to strong soft skills.   Soft skills are the non-legal, non-accounting and often non-quantifiable tools in your briefcase.   You probably...   Read more ...  

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What To Know if You Are Going To Date

Yes — people date after divorce. Some start during the divorce process, although that timing could carry some risk, especially if one spends marital income or property on or for the person they are dating.   During my practice as a divorce lawyer in Chicago and the suburbs, I have been lucky enough to see all types of relationships grow and thrive. When you are ready to date, there are a few things you ought to know from a legal perspective. However, each situation has had its own unique ...   Read more ...  

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Should You Modify Your Child Support?

You painstakingly crafted your child support agreements to make sure your children had the resources they need to thrive. Ideally, this should create a balance between your household and your spouse’s – at least when it comes to the kids. However, we all know life is full of changes and unexpected events. When these things occur, what happens to your child support? Are You Entitled to a Modification? If something major has changed, you may ask the court to change the amount you pay o...   Read more ...  

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What Happens to the Family Home in a Divorce?

In many ways, family homes are treated like other assets during divorce. Assuming you purchased your home after you got married, then it would probably be marital property in its entirety, meaning a judge would equitably split the equity between you and your spouse. However, you probably have a greater emotional connection to your home then to your bank account or retirement plan. There could also be some other concerns involved, such as previous work you had done on your house, where your child...   Read more ...  

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