Unmarried Couples Cannot Enforce Property Rights When They Split
Many couples, including same-sex partners, choose not to marry. It is understandable that couples feel a piece of paper is not necessary to validate their relationships. However, without a legal marriage or civil partnership, couples in Illinois do not have the same property rights as spouses. The Illinois Supreme Court in Blumenthal V. Brewer addressed the property rights of a couple who were partners for years but never formally married. The court stated the individuals did not have a right to... Read more ...
What Should I Know About Social Media During a Divorce?
In today’s world, we are all connected over the Internet. We text more than we call, we email more than we send letters, and we post about our lives on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. As innocuous as these communications and public posts may seem, they can become relevant during a divorce. Because so much of a person’s life is now online, these communications have become common evidence in court. People considering or going through a divorce need to understand how social me... Read more ...
When Can I End Spousal Maintenance Early?
Many divorces leave people with a variety of financial obligations including dividing property, splitting retirement benefits, assigning life insurance proceeds, spousal maintenance, and child support. Maintenance, better known as alimony, is a relatively common financial responsibility, particularly for longer marriages or when there is a disparity between the two party’s incomes or earning potential. Unfortunately, individual’s situations change and it can become difficult or impossible to... Read more ...
How Long will my Divorce Take?
When you file for divorce, there really is no way to tell how long the process will take. In the past, Illinois couples who wanted to file for divorce based upon no-fault grounds (irreconcilable differences) had to show the court that they had lived separately for a period of time. This period of time was six months if both spouses wanted the divorce and two years if one spouse contested the divorce. Today, all divorces in Illinois are no-fault divorces and this waiting period has been eliminate... Read more ...
How Can I Modify my Child Support Obligation?
When you are ordered to pay child support, the money is meant to help the other parent pay for the expenses that come with raising a child such as the need for a home and related expenses such as utility bills, food, and your child’s personal needs such as clothing and school supplies. Current Illinois law primarily bases the amount of child support on your income and the number of children you are paying support for. When your income dramatically changes, it can be difficult to make your ... Read more ...
Should I Include my New Partner in my Parenting Time?
After a divorce, it is natural to want to date again. Many of us go on to do just that in the months and years following our divorces. It is also not uncommon for a new partner to eventually become a new spouse and for new children to enter the picture. When you have a child from a previous relationship, it can be difficult to know when to introduce him or her to your new partner. As much as you would like them to get to know each other and build a positive relationship, you might have doubts ab... Read more ...
