Posted on March 25, 2025 in Child Custody

 Many people think that mothers are favored for child custody in divorce, but times have changed. In Illinois, state law prioritizes the child's best interests and ensures both parents are treated fairly, regardless of gender. Illinois family courts do not favor mothers over fathers. Instead, decisions about parenting time and responsibilities are made based on the child's needs, each parent’s relationship with the child, and other factors.

In short, fathers in Illinois are entitled to the same rights as mothers. If you are a father getting a divorce, an Illinois divorce attorney at Andrew Cores Family Law Group can help ensure your rights are protected.  

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 Posted on March 20, 2025 in Divorce

 Divorce is often contentious and complicated, and it is seldom easy to navigate its twists and turns. It is even more challenging if you attempt to handle a contested divorce alone. Fortunately, many common contested divorce mistakes in Illinois are easy to avoid with an experienced Illinois divorce attorney advising you.

Misunderstanding of Illinois Divorce Laws

Illinois has a no-fault divorce system. This means that irreconcilable differences are the only grounds for divorce. The no-fault divorce process is more straightforward in some ways than the previous fault-based system, but there are still several legal requirements to be met: 

• At least one spouse must have resided in Illinois for at least 90 days before filing for divorce.

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 Posted on March 13, 2025 in Divorce

Social media has become a central part of everyday life, but during a divorce, your online presence can impact your case in ways you may not expect. What you post, like, or even look at could be used as evidence in court.

Whether you are considering blocking your ex, snooping on their profile, or venting about your divorce online, it is important to know how social media can affect everything from custody to asset division. Talk to an Illinois divorce lawyer for advice about how to manage your social media during divorce to make sure you stay out of trouble and position yourself for a strong divorce settlement.

Can Social Media Hurt Your Divorce Case?

What you post online can definitely be used against you in a divorce. Illinois courts allow social media content to be used as evidence, which means that a simple Facebook post, Instagram photo, or tweet could impact issues in the following ways: 

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 Posted on March 11, 2025 in Divorce

If you are considering divorce, you may be concerned about your ability to afford attorney’s fees, court costs, or other expenses. This can be a major concern during difficult times, especially when the economy is struggling and many people are unemployed. By understanding how to address the cost of divorce, you can take the legal action necessary to obtain the results you and your family need. Our Illinois divorce attorneys are here to help you through every step of the process.

The Facts About Divorce Expenses in Illinois

It is true: divorce can be expensive. This is particularly true if you do not have much money to begin with. In fact, recent statistics about the cost of divorce in Illinois suggest the following:

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 Posted on March 05, 2025 in Family Law

Grandparents hold a special place in their grandchildren's lives. Their presence offers love, support, and guidance, which helps to create a strong family bond. However, when family relationships become strained, grandparents may find themselves unable to see their grandchildren. This can be very painful, especially if a child has lost a parent or if a divorce or separation has caused family divisions.

In Illinois, grandparents have the right to ask for visitation with their grandchildren, but the law does not guarantee that visitation will be granted. Grandparents must first prove to the court that visitation is in the child’s best interests.

Speaking with an Illinois family law attorney about grandparents’ rights is a great step toward handling your concerns.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Grandparent Visitation?

Grandparent visitation rights are dictated by Illinois law, which says that a grandparent can ask for visitation only under specific circumstances. The law prioritizes parental rights and assumes that a typical parent's decision to deny grandparents visitation would be in the best interests of the child. However, a grandparent may ask for visitation if they can prove that the child would suffer serious harm if visitation were denied.

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 Posted on February 27, 2025 in Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is meant to provide clarity and protection for both spouses in the event of a divorce. However, circumstances change, and you may find yourself questioning whether the agreement you signed before marriage is still fair. If you are facing divorce and wondering whether you can challenge your prenup, there are legal avenues that may allow you to do so and our Illinois family lawyer can help.

When Can a Prenup Be Contested?

Prenuptial agreements are legally binding contracts, but they are not always airtight. Illinois law allows a prenup to be challenged under certain conditions, including:

Lack of Voluntary Consent

A prenup must be entered into voluntarily by both parties. If one spouse was pressured, threatened, or coerced into signing the agreement, it may be invalidated. Courts take allegations of duress seriously, particularly if one spouse signed the agreement shortly before the wedding under intense pressure.

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 Posted on February 20, 2025 in Family Law

In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that same-sex couples all over the nation had the legal right to marry. Illinois was ahead of the curve, passing the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act in 2011, allowing couples of any sex to enter into a civil union.

Although civil unions were originally created as an option for same-sex couples, they remain available to any couple who prefers them over marriage in Illinois. However, while civil unions provide many of the same rights as marriage at the state level, there are differences between the two, particularly when it comes to federal recognition and benefits. If you are considering a civil union, it is important to understand how these differences could affect you and our Illinois family lawyers are here to help.

Why Get a Civil Union Instead of a Marriage?

If couples in Illinois have the same legal rights in a civil union as they do in a marriage, why not just get married? The biggest difference is that civil unions are not recognized by the federal government. While this might not matter to some couples, it can have major financial and legal implications.

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 Posted on February 19, 2025 in Divorce

If you have decided to file for divorce, you are likely facing many questions about the process. In Illinois, divorce is governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which outlines how property is divided, how child custody is determined, and whether spousal maintenance may apply.

Taking steps to prepare before filing can help you protect your financial interests, understand your rights, and reduce unnecessary stress, and you do not have to do it all alone. An Illinois divorce attorney with Andrew Cores Family Law Group is here to help.

Get Your Financial Documents Organized

One of the most important steps in preparing for divorce is having all the financial records you need. Illinois follows equitable distribution laws, meaning that marital property is divided fairly, though not always equally. Having clear financial records will help ensure a fair division of assets and debts.

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 Posted on February 13, 2025 in Collaborative Law

Many parents worry about how divorce will affect their kids, ranging from the emotional difficulty of processing the split to the changes the kids will have to make in their daily lives. While no divorce is completely stress-free, collaborative divorce can make the process much smoother for children by reducing conflict, encouraging teamwork, and keeping their well-being at the center of every decision.

If you are considering divorce, our Illinois divorce attorneys are well-versed in the collaborative approach and can help protect your child’s emotional and mental health.

How Collaborative Divorce Puts Kids First

Unlike a traditional divorce, which often involves court battles and legal disputes, collaborative divorce focuses on problem-solving instead of fighting. Parents work with a team of professionals to create a plan that benefits everyone, especially their children. Instead of leaving decisions to a judge, parents stay in control and work together to find solutions that work best for their families.

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 Posted on February 10, 2025 in Alimony/Spousal Support

If you are paying alimony and suspect your ex-wife is living with a new partner, you may be able to stop making payments. Under Illinois law, spousal support, also called spousal maintenance, can end if the receiving spouse starts living with a new romantic partner in a way that resembles marriage. 

However, proving this is not always easy and the burden of proof is on you. If you believe your ex is cohabiting with someone, an Illinois divorce lawyer can help you gather the right evidence and bring your case to court.

What Is Considered "Cohabitation" for Ending Alimony in Illinois?

Illinois courts do not automatically end spousal support just because your ex is dating someone. To stop paying, you must prove that she is living with her partner on a continuing basis and that their relationship is similar to a marriage. The court will look at several factors, including whether they share a home, combine finances, and present themselves as a couple. If they are simply spending time together without fully merging their lives, the court may not consider this cohabitation.

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