Posted on April 15, 2019 in Family Law

An adoption is a beautiful chance for a family to raise a child, and for a child in need to have loving and caring parents. In many cases, however, the adoption process can be tedious and complicated, and in order to ensure that the process is completed smoothly and effectively, it is essential to work with an experienced family law attorney.

Addressing Adoption Issues

Here in the state of Illinois, there are four main types of adoption: agency adoptions, private adoptions, international adoptions, and relative adoptions. In all of these adoption options, it is critical to have an experienced legal professional representing your family’s best interests. Some of the issues that may become involved in different types of adoptions include:

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 Posted on April 11, 2019 in Divorce

While most people assume that the divorce process is heated and highly contentious, many divorces can be resolved through settlement agreements. Divorcing spouses may be able to reach an agreement through mediation or negotiations between the spouses and their respective legal teams. In some cases, however, certain issues cannot be resolved, and the divorce has to go to trial. In the event of a divorce trial, proper preparation is critical to securing a positive outcome for you and your family. If you are contemplating divorce, it is important to seek out the legal guidance of a professional you can trust. 

Four Critical Pre-Trial Steps 

Once your divorce goes to trial, the decisions made by the judge will depend on the evidence presented and the performance of both you and your attorney throughout the trial. While a judge’s decision can be appealed in some cases, these decisions are usually final. Before you go to trial, it is crucial to be as prepared as possible by taking the following steps: 

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 Posted on April 05, 2019 in Divorce

Throughout the United States, thousands of people pursue divorce each year, and the process of ending a marriage can be contentious and stressful. Due in large part to the stressors that accompany a divorce, many people make mistakes that can cost them both financially and emotionally down the road. It is important to remember that the first and most important step you can take as you prepare for a divorce is hiring the right attorney. 

Avoiding Costly Divorce Mistakes 

Many divorcing spouses make unwise decisions that are often due to strong emotions or a lack of preparation. Listed below are some of the most common mistakes that can plague a divorce:

• Forgetting About Finances: As you separate from your former spouse, there are many details that need to be settled. Many of the most complex and important, aspects of a divorce revolve around finances. Failure to focus on the financial side of your divorce can result in the loss of valuable marital assets and a lack of future retirement funds, among other concerns. One of the first discussions you should have with your attorney is a dialogue related to your finances. Disclosing an accurate portrayal of your financial situation and ensuring that your attorney understands your financial goals can make all the difference in your divorce. 

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 Posted on April 03, 2019 in Collaborative Law

When a couple makes the decision to get married, the union is a truly beautiful thing. However, the stresses of life, ranging from financial security to parenting disputes, can bring a marriage to a screeching halt. When a marriage is no longer healthy, a divorce can represent an opportunity to start anew. While most people think of divorce as a heated and contested process that is navigated through litigation in court, many divorces can be resolved in an amicable fashion. Collaborative divorce is one alternative method used to resolve the issues couples must address when dissolving their marriage. 

Understanding Collaborative Divorce 

Through collaborative law, a couple looking to end their marriage will work with their respective attorneys in reaching a settlement that is agreed upon by both parties. Typically, a couple will agree to fully disclose all necessary information to each other over the course of their negotiations, and their attorneys will agree to withdraw from the case if an agreement cannot be reached. A collaborative divorce can resolve issues ranging from the division of marital property to child custody. If you decide that you want to pursue a collaborative divorce, it is important to fully understand that the process will require patience and trust in both your former spouse and the legal professionals you are working with. 

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 Posted on March 29, 2019 in Divorce

When a couple pursues a divorce, the ideal situation revolves around securing a mutually beneficial settlement. When a couple can work together, either through a collaborative divorce or the assistance of a mediator, issues can be resolved on the couple’s terms. However, in some cases, couples are unable to work together to find a resolution, and litigation is necessary. 

Your divorce will affect a wide variety of issues, ranging from child custody to the division of marital property, and a judge’s decisions can have a monumental impact on your life. If you are unhappy with the outcome of your case, it may be possible to pursue an appeal. An experienced attorney can help you understand your options for appealing a divorce judgment and represent the best interests of your family throughout the legal process. 

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 Posted on March 28, 2019 in Child Custody

For parents, the divorce process can be incredibly stressful. Not only are you divorcing from your parenting partner and former spouse, but you are facing a great deal of uncertainty about your living situation and the time you will spend with your children. For fathers, securing a favorable parenting agreement can often be difficult. Whether you are looking to negotiate a custody agreement with your former spouse or planning to fight for your parental rights in court, an experienced attorney can help you navigate your child custody case. 

Winning Custodial Rights

Due to recent alterations to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, divorced parents are no longer defined as “custodial” or “non-custodial.” Under the current law, specific parental responsibilities are allocated between parents through either an agreement between the parties or a court order. Below are some simple steps that every father should take as they look to secure substantial parental responsibilities:

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 Posted on March 26, 2019 in Child Custody

When a couple makes the decision to pursue a divorce, the process can be incredibly complicated. When children are involved, the decisions made during divorce will affect their lives for years to come. However, people’s circumstances may change, and a modification to your divorce decree may be necessary in order to reflect changes in how you and your ex-spouse handle parental responsibilities and parenting time. If you plan to ask for a change to your child custody agreement, it is important to take the proper steps as you prepare for this request.

Preparing for a Parenting Plan Modification

You may petition for a modification to the parenting plan created in your divorce decree, but when considering these requests, a judge will base their decision on what is in children’s best interests. In order to show that your proposed changes will be in children’s best interests, you can take the following steps:

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 Posted on March 21, 2019 in Divorce

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), more than 40% percent of marriages throughout the United States ultimately end in divorce. Separating from your spouse can be an incredibly turbulent and emotional time in your life, and for parents, a divorce can be especially difficult. As you navigate the divorce process, it is important for you to remain engaged as a parent. Seeking assistance from a qualified attorney can allow you to focus on the well-being of your family as you work to finalize your divorce. 

Divorce as a Parent  

When children are involved in a divorce, it is important to act with extreme care. For children, the divorce of their parents can be uniquely challenging to grasp and cope with. Listed below are a few key steps you should take as you juggle being a parent and separating from your spouse:

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 Posted on March 15, 2019 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of Americans make the difficult decision to pursue a divorce. While many divorces can be resolved amicably through collaborative divorce or mediation, a substantial percentage of divorces become too heated for joint participation. Throughout the divorce process, you are likely to feel a wide array of emotions. Maintaining a level of calmness and composure throughout your divorce can be critically important in ensuring you do not fall into some of the most common mistakes divorcing spouses can make. 

Frequent Mistakes Made in Divorce 

A divorce can be the right decision for you for any number of reasons. If your partner has been dishonest, has recklessly spent marital assets, or communicates with you in an unhealthy manner, your best option may be to get out of the relationship. Listed below are some of the most common errors people make as they navigate the divorce process: 

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 Posted on March 14, 2019 in Mediation

While many people think that all divorces are hostile and aggressive, couples are often able to work together to end their marriage in an amicable manner. Here in the United States, divorce mediation is a commonly used strategy to negotiate a divorce settlement. Mediation is a process in which you and your spouse work with your attorneys and a third-party mediator to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding your divorce. If you believe that mediation is the right decision for you and your family, speak with your legal team regarding your options moving forward. 

The Role of the Mediator 

Many people disregard the option of mediation due to misconceptions they have related to the role of the mediator. During mediation, the mediator will assist you and your spouse through discussions and conflict resolution. It is important to note that the mediator will not make decisions for you and your spouse but will instead work to help you resolve issues in a mutually beneficial manner. Once an agreement has been reached between the two parties, the final agreement will be presented to the judge for approval. 

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