A Guardian Ad Litem Has Been Assigned to My Child Custody Case – Now What?

 Posted on December 11, 2019 in Child Custody

Divorce or family law cases involving child custody primarily focus on “the best interests of the child.” In particularly complex and contested child custody cases, such as ones involving very young children or allegations of abuse, one of the parents’ lawyers may request that a guardian ad litem (GAL) be appointed, or the judge may choose to assign one to the case. A GAL is a lawyer whose sole duty is to determine the best interests of the child through a home study, including interviews with the children, the parents, other family members, teachers, and any other relevant parties. At the conclusion of this investigation, the GAL will submit a report to the judge to help the judge make a more informed decision.

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What You Need to Know About Shared Parenting Time Bills in Illinois

 Posted on December 10, 2019 in Child Custody

In our previous blog post, we focused primarily on what are considered the best interests of the child in child custody cases. The “best interests of the child standard” by which courts in Illinois make child custody determinations has been in the news in Illinois for the last few years due to fathers’ rights advocacy groups and other organizations that have been supporting new Illinois “shared parenting” bills.

Proposed Changes to Illinois Law

In 2017, HB4113 was filed with the Illinois General Assembly. This bill sought to change Illinois family laws to state that 50/50 shared parenting is presumed to be in the best interests of the child from the start of a child custody case. After much controversy and protest, that bill was not passed. However, in February 2109, State Representative La Shawn Ford (D-Chicago) sponsored a new equal parenting time bill: HB185. While many advocacy groups believe this new iteration will be a fair change to the law, other legal professionals are less optimistic. In fact, the Illinois State Bar Association is in opposition to the bill.

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How Are Children’s “Best Interests” Determined in a Family Law Case?

 Posted on December 04, 2019 in Child Custody

In Illinois, child custody is referred to as the “allocation of parental responsibilities,” and divorce and family law cases will focus on the “best interests” of the child when determining how parents will share decision-making responsibility for their children. There are a variety of factors considered when making these important decisions, and they will often be dependent upon the particular dynamics between the child and the parents, making the final decisions quite subjective. Because of this, it can be difficult to predict exactly what will go into making a ruling. However, there are some specific elements of the best interests of the child that judges will consider thoroughly in these cases.

The Definition of “Best Interests”

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How Can I Protect Myself from Unwanted Marital Debt During Divorce?

 Posted on November 27, 2019 in Divorce

During your divorce, you and your spouse will need to address the ownership of all the property and assets you own together, and this will also include dividing marital debts. As long as debt was incurred during the marriage, it is the responsibility of each spouse, and it must be divided equitably and fairly between the spouses.

What Types of Debts Are Considered Marital Debt?

In general, any debt incurred by either spouse during a marriage is considered to be marital debt. Such marital debt may include:

• Credit cards

• Loans

• Mortgages

One thing to note is that your lawyer might be able to make a convincing case that some debts which appear to be marital debts should not actually be your obligation, because they were taken on for the sole benefit of the other spouse. For example, if your ex-spouse made large credit card purchases while pursuing an extramarital affair, he or she may be solely responsible for these debts.

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What Is Equitable Division of Property in an Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on November 26, 2019 in Divorce

As discussed in a previous blog, the division of property in a divorce is a complex and nuanced issue in Illinois. This is because, as with many states, property is not simply divided equally; by law, it must be divided “equitably.” In general, equitable distribution of assets is not a strict and simple process. Typically, the decisions are subjective depending on what the parties or the judge find to be fairest depending on the circumstances. The determination of what is “equitable” is based on a variety of factors.

What Is Considered “Equitable” in Illinois

As mentioned in the last post, only marital property can be divided in a divorce; that is, only property or other assets purchased or obtained during the marriage will be divided. As such, the equitable distribution of property refers only to marital property.

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How Are Cars Divided Between Spouses in an Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on November 22, 2019 in Divorce

In the state of Illinois, the division of property between divorcing spouses includes any cars owned by the couple. How vehicles are divided is determined along with other property and assets during the divorce process. Many couples are able to work together to reach an agreement on how to divide assets, but if a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, mediation, or collaborative law, the distribution of property between the spouses will be determined in court during a trial.

When deciding who will get which marital assets, the court will consider what is “equitable” rather than what is “equal.” This distinction, which is specific to Illinois and many other states, will be discussed further in our next blog post. Regarding cars in general, there are some guidelines to follow when dividing this type of property.

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Increasingly Common Causes of Divorce

 Posted on November 21, 2019 in Divorce

While many of the typical reasons for divorce are longstanding and straightforward, there are some subtler causes that you and your spouse might not have been as attuned to in recent years. Due to new approaches toward marriage and divorce, nearly 50% of married couples may see their marriage end in divorce. Some of these trending causes of divorce include:

1. Level of interest in having children—For many years, having children was the logical and most common next step taken by a couple after getting married. These days, as evidenced by decreased birth rates, spouses are viewing having children as less of a necessity and more of a personal desire. If you want children, and your spouse does not, this could be a contributing factor to divorce.

2. Parental interference—If you or your spouse spend a large amount of time with your parents, this may reduce the amount of quality family time you spend with each other. Parents can also influence a spouse’s attitude or approach toward major life decisions in ways the other spouse does not agree with, which can lead to friction in the relationship.

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How Do I Know If I Should Divorce My Spouse in Illinois?

 Posted on November 13, 2019 in Divorce

In 2016, Illinois became a “no-fault divorce” state. This means that, in the view of the law, the only acceptable grounds for divorce in Illinois are “irreconcilable differences.” Irreconcilable differences are defined as the “irretrievable breakdown” of a marriage in which attempts at reconciliation have failed, and any further attempts at reconciling the marriage will not be in the best interests of the family.

In most cases, a couple will agree that their marriage has experienced an irretrievable breakdown, and they will simply need to state this in the divorce petition filed by one spouse. However, if one spouse does not agree that the marriage should end, irreconcilable differences will be presumed if the couple lives “separate and apart” for at least six continuous months.

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What Should a Divorced Parent Consider Before Deciding to Relocate?

 Posted on November 11, 2019 in Child Custody

These days, with the world at your fingertips through the Internet, it is easier than ever to find a new job or locate a new house, making parental relocation even more likely than it might have been in the past. Unfortunately, after divorce, if you or your ex-spouse decides to relocate, this can further complicate parental responsibilities and parenting time. In fact, custodial issues surrounding relocation require courtroom proceedings in which the ex-spouse requesting a move must demonstrate that the relocation is in the best interest of the child. If any of this is the case with you or your ex-spouse, consider this advice to make sure you and your children continue to have a positive relationship despite the move.

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What Should Spouses Over the Age of 50 Expect During Divorce?

 Posted on November 07, 2019 in Divorce

While getting a divorce at any age can be one of the most challenging life changes you will ever face, when you decide to get a divorce at age 50 or older, the situation can be even more complicated and difficult. How will your older sons and daughters react? What will happen with your retirement accounts? What about health insurance? How will you be able to start over at such an older age? There are many issues to consider, and that is the main reason finding an experienced divorce attorney is critical to your success.

Distinct Differences When Divorcing After 50

While many of the usual issues considered during divorce are also relevant to a divorce late in life, there are some actions that need to be approached differently or with extra caution when you are 50 or older. Major differences to take into account when divorcing after 50 include:

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