Posts By: MICHAEL C CRAVEN

The Baby Boomer Divorce Trend

Baby Boomer Divorces I recently read an article that the divorce rate was on a slight decline from the generally accepted 50 percent rate. Although it is difficult to obtain completely accurate divorce statistics, as a divorce lawyer, I was interested to search deeper into the topic. While I struggled to find credible sources to confirm the precise national divorce rate, I found a commonality among all studies regarding divorce trends: baby boomers have the highest, and still growing, divorce r...   Read more ...  

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The Media Glamorizes Celebrity Divorce

Media’s Glamorization of Divorce In the past weeks, each time I’ve searched ‘divorce’ online, endless articles about Jay-Z and Beyonce’s apparently broken relationship come up. The articles speculate every aspect of their divorce, from warning signs of their rocky relationship, rumored infidelity, how their divorce will affect their concert tour, what will happen to their daughter and more. Even though there has never been an official separation or divorce announcement, fans across t...   Read more ...  

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Health Care Power of Attorney Make-Over

Health Care Power of Attorney As a Chicago divorce attorney with a background in estate planning, I am aware of the benefits of estate planning before, during and after divorce.  A Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) is an important part of an estate plan. Illinois’ General Assembly unanimously passed Senate Bill 3228 and it was sent to the Governor for his signature June 27.  The bill amends the HCPOA Act. Once signed by Governor Quinn, the new law will become effective January 1, 2015. ...   Read more ...  

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Celebrity Style Separation: “Conscious Uncoupling”

Conscious Uncoupling Gwenyth Paltrow and Chris Martin have been receiving an unusually large amount of attention surrounding their announcement to separate. This attention isn’t stemming from the public’s shock about the decision, but rather about how they have decided to separate – by ‘consciously uncoupling’. While reactions have ranged from confusion to criticism, as a Chicago divorce lawyer, the previously little-known concept is intriguing.   What is conscious uncoupling? &n...   Read more ...  

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Almost a ‘Do It Yourself’ Divorce

Step by Step As a divorce attorney, I understand that the cost of a divorce can often be expensive. However, if someone cannot afford the full services of a divorce lawyer, there is a cost-efficient, yet still effective, option – Limited Scope Representation. The state of Illinois expanded the rules regarding Limited Scope Representation just over one year ago. These new rules allow people with limited means to pay for a portion of the legal services needed for their cases rather than hiring ...   Read more ...  

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MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN ILLINOIS

Marriage-Equality-Is-Here-In-Illinois Converting-Civil-Unions-to-Marriage-In-Illinois Marriage equality has reached Illinois and Cook County. As of June 1, the over 23,000 same-sex couples living in Illinois can legally be married throughout their state. Exactly two years before this date, Illinois began to recognize civil unions. However, on November 20, 2013, Illinois governor Pat Quinn signed the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act bill into law to legalize same-sex marr...   Read more ...  

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