Posts Categorized: Family Law

Parent’s Rights in an Adoption Decision

Whenever the question of adoption arises, the law must examine the rights of both biological parents. There are multiple situations in which an adoption may alter the biological parent’s rights. We will examine some common types of cases.   Stepparent Adoptions   In today’s world of blended families, there are many scenarios in which a stepparent would want to adopt a stepchild.   Illinois does not allow a child to have three legal parents, so there are two ways a stepparent w...   Read more ...  

Important Financial Considerations to Think About During and After Your Divorce

The ultimate goal of divorce in Chicago is to end the marriage and wrap up the legal implications of the marital relationship, so you can expect that fiscal issues will be at the forefront of the proceedings.   The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act includes a section on three key financial considerations: alimony, child support, and property division. You might not have to address all of these matters but, when you do, they could impact your divorce case during the proceedin...   Read more ...  

Child Support Laws in Illinois

The legal concepts that apply to many aspects of your life are constantly evolving to accommodate changing times. The same is true for Illinois’ statute on child support. The basic duty to support has not been altered significantly, so both parents are still obligated to provide for their children. The amount runs according to statutory child support guidelines, which consider:   Each parent’s income. The number of children to be supported. How many overnights the child spends with the...   Read more ...  

Petition to Terminate Child Support in Illinois

After a divorce that involves minor children, one parent is typically ordered to pay child support, as well as other expenses related to their education, healthcare, and other costs. Child support is expected to help the other parent to pay for the child’s daily expenses. If you believe you are no longer responsible for paying support, it is important to speak to a child support lawyer in Chicago that can help you petition to terminate child support. Terminating Support Upon the Age of 18 It i...   Read more ...  

Divorce FAQs By Michael C. Craven, Divorce Lawyer Chicago

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Extended Summer Visitation

Summer break: that unstructured stretch of the year. Without proper planning, it has the potential to become a parenting debacle. In this article, I will discuss how an upcoming divorce might change current plans and set future guidelines for summer vacation custody, even if you and your spouse will no longer live close to each other. While reading, please keep in mind that this information is not intended as advice to apply to any specific case. Your final custody agreement should be the result...   Read more ...