Posts By: MICHAEL C CRAVEN

What are the Benefits of Divorcing Through Mediation?

Your divorce does not have to be a contentious courtroom battle. You do have options, and those options include various types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). One type of ADR that divorcing couples are often drawn to use is mediation, which is a more low-key, collaborative way to complete the divorce process. There are a lot of benefits to choosing mediation to complete your divorce. Because of these benefits, couples who choose mediation often report higher levels of satisfaction with t...   Read more ...  

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Changes to Illinois Divorce Laws: All Divorces are Now No-Fault Divorces

On January 1, 2016, the amendments to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act passed in 2015 went into effect. Among these amendments were changes to the waiting period for divorcing couples, the language used to discuss child custody and related issues, and the elimination of fault-based divorces. This means that all divorces sought in Illinois in 2016 and after are “no-fault” divorces, which means that neither party is blamed for the end of their marriage.   How can this...   Read more ...  

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Learning How to Co-Parent Effectively After a Divorce

When a couple with children divorces, generally, the court imposes a parenting time agreement to ensure that the couple’s children continue to maintain substantive relationships with both parents. Maintaining healthy relationships with both parents after a divorce is important to children’s development and self-esteem. As a parent with a parenting agreement in place, it is up to you to work with your former partner to ensure that your child has this experience, rather than developing...   Read more ...  

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Four Things you Should Not Do While your Divorce is Pending

When you are going through a divorce, you have multiple responsibilities. These responsibilities include submitting the required paperwork to the court and your attorney about your finances, working with the court and your former partner to work out an effective, appropriate parenting plan, and following the court’s orders with regard to your appearance in court, paying your former partner spousal maintenance, if applicable, and its orders regarding child support and parenting time.  ...   Read more ...  

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What is the Difference Between Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities?

On January 1, 2016, the language contained within the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act was altered to be less restrictive and remove the notion that a parent can somehow “win” or “lose” a custody order. Now, the terms used are “parenting time” and “parental responsibilities.” But what do these terms mean? How are they different from the older terms of legal custody, physical custody, and visitation? It is important to understand what these terms mean for you and ...   Read more ...  

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Factors to Consider as a Parent Seeking Child Custody

A lot goes into determining the right parenting time schedule for a child when his or her parents’ divorce. The goal of creating a parenting time arrangement is to meet all of the child’s needs: physical, emotional, academic, and social. The court also recognizes the importance that a child spend time with both of his or her parents when making this decision. However, how much time a child spends with each parent is determined by examining a specific set of factors (See 750 ILCS 5/602.7(...   Read more ...  

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