Couples with children who want to get divorced in Illinois are required to take a parenting class, even if the divorce is uncontested. The class can be arranged through the parents or through a family law attorney who is handling the divorce. (Article continues below Infographic) What are Class Requirements? The Illinois Supreme Court requires a parenting class for all couples with children who file for a divorce in the state of Illinois. Regardless of divorce circumstances or parental … [Read more...]
Grounds For Terminating Or Modifying Illinois Spousal Support
Because Illinois recognizes that family circumstances can change following the issuance of spousal support orders, the law allows spousal support to be modified or terminated if one of multiple grounds exists. In order to secure a modification of the maintenance amount or a termination of the payments, the party seeking the change or termination must file a motion with the court that issued the order. The payments must continue as they are currently ordered until and unless the court grants the … [Read more...]
Four Places Spouses Hide Assets In A Divorce
After child custody, the most hard fought battles in a divorce are over the division of assets. Often one party attempts to hide or shield assets from the divorce court in order to retain the full value of the asset for themselves. With the help of a family law attorney, clients can bring all of the hidden assets to light. … [Read more...]
Divorce Rate Has Declined in Past Two Decades
A new study has found that, while the divorce rate remains historically high, it has steadily declined over the past two decades. The now famous “half of all marriages end in divorce,” remains technically true but it does not paint an accurate picture. In absolute numbers, between 4 and 5 million marriages occur every year and about 1.5 to 2 million ends in divorce. Technically, that is 50 percent but the Pew Research Center found that not all marriages divorce in equal rates. … [Read more...]
What Rights Do Unwed Fathers Have in Illinois?
These days, more and more Illinois couples are having children without ever being married to each other. In fact, Illinois ranks 6th highest in the nation for births that occur out of matrimony with more than 36 percent of all children in the state born out of wedlock, and a whopping 82 percent of teen births being out of wedlock. (Article continues below infographic.) Additionally, an unfortunate 29 percent of Illinois families do not have fathers present in the home, and countless … [Read more...]