Cryptocurrency issues arise in a divorce when the court tries to value the marital assets of the divorcing parties. Since cryptocurrency has never been officially classified as a specific type of asset, some spouses may fail to disclose it to the other party. Some may even use it as a way to hide assets that are part of the marital estate to avoid equitable distribution. If one spouse suspects the other party has cryptocurrency, he or she should always be on the lookout for large cash transfers … [Read more...]

Several misconceptions surround Social Security and divorce, even though the program has been around for over 85 years. To get things straight, here are 7 common myths about Social security and divorce and the facts that disprove them. Myth #1: A Claim Will Reduce the Ex’s Checks Up to 52% of adults surveyed said they believe that claiming social security based on an ex-spouse’s record could influence their benefits. The truth is, claiming Social Security benefits based on an ex’s record … [Read more...]

When children are born out of wedlock in Illinois, establishing paternity is required to ensure a father's rights and the rights of his children are protected. Illinois law assumes paternity in families where the parents are married, but it does not when the father and mother are not married. Without established paternity, a child's rights to a father's property and other benefits, and the father's parental rights and privileges, can be at risk. How to Establish Paternity in … [Read more...]

On rare occasions, couples who move forward with plans to divorce find that their marriages were never valid marriages in Illinois, placing them in the category of "putative marriage." A putative marriage creates a number of legal concerns in the divorce proceedings, because the marriage agreement was never valid to begin with and another legal spouse may exist. Those who find themselves in the role of putative spouse need to understand their rights and how to protect them as they move … [Read more...]

Medical conditions, both in the child and in on one of the parents, can have a direct impact on the decision about custody in an Illinois divorce. All of the issues handled in custody decisions, including visitation, custody, support, and property division, become more complex when weighing medical needs. Understanding these impacts is important when entering child custody decisions. Special Needs Children and Child Custody A child who has special needs may have additional expenses to care … [Read more...]