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Divorce 101 In the second installment of my series on the most frequently asked questions among people considering divorce, I’m addressing attorney selection strategy and attorney’s fees. In case you missed it, check out Part One. Q: We’ve all heard of those really bitter divorce battles between husbands and wives, like the one portrayed in the movie The War of the Roses. Should clients look for an attorney who takes no prisoners? A: You’ll want to avoid that type of lawyer. Althoug...   Read more ...  

“Where do I start?” That ‘s the question most individuals ask once they’ve made a decision to seek a divorce. In this three-part series, I’ll answer the most frequently asked questions that arise before people have selected a divorce attorney. Part One focuses on the hiring process and fees. Q: What is the most important thing a client should look for when hiring an attorney? A: The client and attorney must have chemistry. Divorce lawyers represent people, not businesses. The relati...   Read more ...  

Not necessarily in a court of law. States differ as to whether infidelity makes a difference in a divorce settlement. Illinois, for example, is a “no-fault” state, meaning a spouse’s infidelity has no effect on the judge’s final settlement decision. Of course, cheating does matter to the parties involved. A recent public example of marital infidelity was in the news days after Sandra Bullock received her Best Actress Oscar. According to the New York Daily News, “Ten days after her t...   Read more ...  

Many divorcees never review their wills and estate plans. Those that do, often do it after they’re divorced. However, it may be advisable to make changes as soon as a marriage breaks down. Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Property are common documents used in estate planning. If you’re in a bad marriage or in the midst of divorce, don’t wait until after divorce to review and change these documents. These two Powers grant your “agent”, the right to make decisions regarding your...   Read more ...  

Your Divorce Lawyer Knows Best Contemplating divorce, or going through a divorce, is one of life’s most stressful events. Unfortunately, more than one-half of married couples will experience it. Due to the high rates of divorce, almost everyone going through it knows someone who has been divorced. If you’re in this situation, you might be tempted to ask friends, relatives, co-workers and others for advice and information—but don’t. Ask for comfort and support from this group, and get...   Read more ...  

Timing and Divorce On March 18, 2010, shortly after divorcing his wife of 16 years Kevin Halstead won $3.8 million in the lottery. Halstead, a London bus driver, told the Daily Mail: “We divorced three months ago and split up about 13 years ago but we stayed friends – we did not get a divorce back then for the sake of our Jessica.”   Since the Halstead’s divorce was final prior to Halstead’s windfall, here are some questions that may arise. The answers to these questions will dep...   Read more ...