Posted on January 15, 2025 in Child Custody

In Illinois, child custody — now referred to as "allocation of parental responsibilities" — is decided based on the best interests of the child. Many parents going through a divorce or custody dispute wonder whether their older children will have a say in which parent they live with. Many older kids wonder about this, too. 

While Illinois law does consider a child’s wishes as part of the decision-making process, their preferences are just one factor among many. The final decision rests with the court, which tries to create a parenting plan that best supports the child’s well-being.

If you are facing a custody dispute and want to better understand how your child’s preferences may impact the outcome, an Illinois family law attorney with many years of experience can provide advice tailored to your situation.

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 Posted on January 09, 2025 in Divorce

Although many people go through divorce, and although many of them share similar feelings and experiences, divorce is a complicated process and can go many different ways. It may be tempting to assume that just because a friend of yours had a bitter, angry divorce that dragged on for years, you may be facing a similar process. Likewise, the fact that a favorite celebrity was able to negotiate a mindful separation from their spouse and that approach makes sense to you does not mean your spouse will necessarily agree. 

The truth is that it is almost impossible to know what your divorce will look like before having careful conversations with your spouse and with your attorney. Some spouses make these conversations easier, while others make them impossible. Rest assured that whatever your situation may be, there is a path towards ending your marriage. At Andrew Cores Family Law Group, our Illinois divorce lawyers will help you understand the factors that could affect your divorce. 

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 Posted on January 06, 2025 in Divorce

When married couples fight or bicker constantly and their loving relationship is gone, getting a divorce might be a no-brainer, especially if abuse is involved. Many other couples, however, find themselves sliding slowly into something far more easy-going but sometimes just as lonely. 

If you are not fighting with your spouse, however, do you have the justification you need to get divorced? Many couples grapple with this decision, especially when children are involved. While divorce can offer a path to a healthier, more fulfilling future for some, staying together may provide benefits for families, particularly for young children. An experienced Illinois family law attorney can help you understand your options and the potential outcomes of either choice.

Considering the Impact of Divorce on Young Children

One of the most significant factors for many parents is how their decision will affect their children. Research suggests that young children benefit from the stability of a two-parent household. Here are some reasons why staying together in an amicable marriage might be better for young children:

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 Posted on December 31, 2024 in Child Support

Parents in Illinois often wonder about the state’s requirement to support their children after they turn 18. While child support typically ends when a child reaches adulthood or graduates from high school, Illinois law allows courts to order non-minor support in certain situations, including college expenses. 

Understanding these requirements and how courts decide whether and how much parents have to pay for a child’s education is an important part of setting expectations for the overall divorce process. An experienced Wheaton, IL child support attorney can provide guidance tailored to your situation.

When Does Child Support End in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, child support payments usually end when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. If the child is still in high school when she turns 18, support continues until she graduates or turns 19. Beyond this, parents may still be required to contribute to their child’s education and living expenses under specific circumstances.

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 Posted on December 27, 2024 in Child Custody

In Illinois, fathers have equal rights to seek full custody — known as the allocation of parental responsibilities — of their children. The state's family laws are designed to be gender-neutral, ensuring that neither parent has an automatic advantage in custody decisions. The primary consideration for the court is the best interests of the child, which involves evaluating various factors to determine the most suitable living and decision-making arrangements.

If you are a father seeking full custody of your child, including full parenting time and decision-making authority, contact an Illinois family law attorney who will advocate for your parental rights and your child’s needs. 

How Do Judges Make Custody Decisions in Illinois?

Whenever possible, judges prefer parents of young children to come up with a parenting plan on their own. Divorcing parents will typically be required to attend mediation to try to create a parenting plan that makes sense for their situation and that both parents can agree to. 

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 Posted on December 23, 2024 in Mediation

Divorce mediation is typically a less stressful and more cost-effective way for couples to resolve their differences and reach a settlement. However, it does not work for everyone. If you and your spouse cannot agree on key issues through mediation, it is important to understand what happens next. 

Knowing your options can help you prepare for the next steps in the divorce process. An Illinois family law attorney with experience in both mediation and divorce litigation can guide you, advocate for you, and help you pursue the best possible outcome.

Why Divorce Mediation Sometimes Fails

While mediation can be effective in many cases, it is not suitable for every situation. Sometimes, a significant power imbalance between spouses makes it difficult for one party to effectively advocate for their needs. For example, if one spouse is a family law attorney and aggressively advocates for themselves during mediation, compromise may not be possible. 

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 Posted on December 17, 2024 in Alimony/Spousal Support

Divorce can bring financial uncertainties, especially if one spouse relied on the other for financial support during the marriage. Alimony, or spousal maintenance, is supposed to provide financial assistance to a spouse who may need support to transition to financial independence after getting divorced.

In Illinois, the determination of alimony is not automatic and depends on a variety of factors. If you are considering a divorce, an experienced Illinois family law attorney can help you understand whether alimony might apply in your case.

Who Gets Alimony in Illinois Divorces?

Illinois law does not guarantee alimony to either spouse in a divorce. Instead, the court evaluates a range of factors to determine whether spousal maintenance is appropriate, how much should be awarded, and for how long. These factors include:

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 Posted on December 11, 2024 in Collaborative Law

Collaborative divorce is an alternative to traditional litigation that focuses on resolving disputes through cooperation, negotiation, and mutual respect. This process allows divorcing spouses to work together to reach agreements that are beneficial for both parties and their children. While the goal is to avoid court battles, achieving a successful collaborative divorce often requires the assistance of a skilled team of professionals. Each team member brings unique expertise to help navigate the legal, emotional, and financial complexities of divorce.

Below are some professionals you might consider including on your collaborative divorce team. If you are interested in learning more about this option, speak with an experienced Illinois divorce lawyer.

Collaborative Divorce Attorneys

Although collaborative divorce teams are unique, the one team member that is absolutely necessary is an attorney with experience in collaborative divorce. At Andrew Cores Family Law Group, our head attorney is an experienced divorce lawyer trained in collaborative law who currently serves as a Fellow for the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois. 

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 Posted on December 05, 2024 in Divorce

Divorce can be a tough and emotional process. Many couples fear they will end up airing their dirty laundry in front of a judge for all to see. Fortunately, mediation can help couples work through disagreements without the stress of going to court. In Illinois, judges often require couples in contested divorces to try mediation before the case can move forward to litigation. An Illinois divorce attorney can guide you through the mediation process and help you understand your rights.

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Divorce mediation is a process where a neutral person, called a mediator, helps divorcing spouses reach agreements on important issues like dividing property, parenting time, and support. The mediator does not make decisions but helps guide conversations so both sides can work toward a solution.

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 Posted on November 27, 2024 in Divorce

Divorce cases in which one spouse separately owns a business can create complications when the business’s value substantially increases during the marriage. While business valuations can be complex enough when the business is being divided between the spouses, a separately held business offers its own set of challenges.

One or both spouses owning a business is far from uncommon. A 2022 survey found that almost 300,000 businesses across the United States were jointly owned and operated by spouses, representing more than 10 percent of all U.S. businesses. There are no hard statistics on how many businesses are owned by just one spouse, but the number is likely just as significant.

Illinois is an equitable distribution state – meaning the division of marital assets is fair, although not necessarily equal. A spouse’s separate assets add a new layer of complexity to the issue. Separate assets often become marital assets, even when that is not the intention. If you are concerned about whether a separate asset will remain separate during your divorce, it can be helpful to speak to a knowledgeable Wheaton, IL, family law attorney from Andrew Cores Family Law Group.

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