Posted on March 11, 2019 in Domestic Violence

Here in the United States, an average of 20 people are physically abused by a spouse or intimate partner every minute. That means that every single year, an estimated 10 million Americans face some form of domestic abuse. The impact of domestic violence goes far beyond the initial injuries inflicted. Victims can face severe post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and even thoughts of self-harm. Fortunately, a dedicated legal team can help you remove yourself from an unhealthy and dangerous situation. 

What We Can Do 

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), approximately 25% of American women face some form of domestic violence from an intimate partner. In many cases, domestic abuse from a spouse or partner can escalate into severe or even fatal injuries. By working with a dedicated, compassionate legal team, you can ensure the safety of you and your family. Our attorneys can help with:

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 Posted on March 07, 2019 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of Americans elect to pursue a divorce. For many, a divorce can represent a new opportunity for love and life. An individual or couple can reach the decision to separate for a number of reasons. Below we will explore some of the most common reasons for divorce. If you are considering a divorce, it is critical you speak with an experienced legal team that can help you navigate the divorce process. 

Top Reasons for Divorce

Divorce rates vary according to state and city. With a 21 ½ percent divorced adult population, East Alton near St. Louis is the divorce capital of Illinois. A recent study published in Couple Family Psychology looked at why most American couples pursue a divorce. 

Heated Arguments

In most relationships, the ability to have healthy conversations and disagreements can be vital. That said, at some level, an abundance of arguments can become a problem. Arguing is cited as one of the primary reasons for roughly 57 percent of divorces. Heated arguments with a partner can impact one’s self-esteem and overall emotional health. Moreover, an unhealthy amount of arguments can lead to domestic violence. 

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 Posted on February 28, 2019 in Divorce

For children, witnessing the breakdown of their parents’ marriage can be an emotionally traumatizing experience. When teenage children are involved in a divorce, it is especially important to consider their feelings and discuss the separation with them. Navigating the academic rigors and social aspects of high school can be difficult enough, and the challenges of adolescence are often amplified during a divorce. Below are a few ways to assist your teenage child through the divorce process.

Steps You Can Take 

Helping your child understand the reasons behind your separation and the necessity for a divorce can be an incredibly challenging dialogue to engage in. Still, when parenting teenage children, it can be wise to have as many conversations as possible. Be sure to consider the following:

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 Posted on February 26, 2019 in Divorce

While a divorce can represent a new opportunity for two parties to find independent happiness in their lives, most people view divorce as a negative thing. When many people think about the divorce process, they picture lengthy court battles and volatile arguments between former spouses. However, many divorces can be calmly and amicably executed, as long as both parties strive to maintain a working relationship throughout the process. 

Working Towards a Conflict-Free Separation

In 2017 alone, 787,251 American couples chose to get divorced. While some of those divorces may have been aggressive and unhealthy, many divorces can represent a seamless transition into a new chapter of one’s life. Still, in order to ensure a healthy separation, one must work diligently with their partner to avoid conflicts. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to ensure that your divorce goes as smoothly as possible:

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 Posted on February 22, 2019 in Child Custody

Filing for divorce can represent an opportunity to begin a new life. Leaving a loveless marriage or an unhealthy relationship can oftentimes be the best decision a person can make. Still, the divorce process can quickly become complicated, especially when children are involved. Custody battles can be lengthy and stressful, and winning sole custody of children can be especially difficult. If you are filing for divorce and looking to address issues related to child custody, you need quality legal guidance. 

Preparing for a Custody Battle

Every year, thousands of Americans file for divorce. Many people seeking a separation from their former spouse do not prepare for the divorce process in a proper manner. Listed below are a few steps that every person should take if they are looking to secure custody rights for their children:

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 Posted on February 19, 2019 in Divorce

Today, the divorce rate in America is on a steady decline. In large part, this decline is due to the fact that many young Americans are not pursuing divorce. However, among elderly Americans, the divorce rate has been rising over the past few decades. According to the Pew Research Center, divorce has doubled among Americans over the age of 50 since 1990. If you believe that a gray divorce is the right choice for you, it is time to speak with an attorney you can trust. 

Important Aspects of Your Divorce 

When divorcing as an older American, it is especially important to ensure that your financial future will remain intact. Below are a few of the most important criteria to consider as you navigate the divorce process:

• Your Retirement Plan: As your divorce is finalized, one of the most important aspects you and your legal team need to focus on is how your retirement accounts and/or pensions will be affected. Your retirement benefits and finances may be at jeopardy during your divorce, so you will want to take steps to ensure that you will have the financial resources you need when it is time to retire.

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 Posted on February 14, 2019 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of Americans choose to file for divorce. In many cases, the couples elect to separate amicably, and they may believe that their divorce will be a seamless transition into independent life. Some people are so confident in the mutual nature of the separation that they elect to represent themselves throughout the divorce process. This process is known as pro se divorce litigation. 

People may decide to navigate the divorce process without the guidance of a legal professional for a number of different reasons. The couple may believe they can separate peacefully, there may be no children or substantial assets involved, or a person may not believe they can afford an attorney. Regardless of the rationale behind the decision to pursue pro se divorce litigation, the consequences of self-representation can be crippling to your future. If you are seeking a divorce, your best option is to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible.

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 Posted on February 12, 2019 in Domestic Violence

On February 8th, 2019, a man shot and killed his wife in their home in Blaine, Minnesota. The 46-year-old victim had served her husband divorce papers the previous November, but the couple continued to live together. While it has not yet been established whether or not the marriage was violent prior to the tragic incident, for victims of abusive relationships, the event served as a startling reminder of the risks of staying in a situation involving domestic violence. If you are seeking a way out of an unhealthy or abusive relationship, our legal team can work with you to expedite the divorce process and help you obtain the protection you need. 

The Risks of Domestic Violence 

According to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50% of homicides with female victims are committed by intimate partners of the victim. It is important to understand the urgency to escape a violent relationship. Listed below are a few reasons why it is important to leave a violent or abusive situation as quickly as possible: 

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 Posted on February 08, 2019 in Family Law

Preparing for a wedding is a time of love and happiness. Discussions about the location of the wedding, who to invite, and the potential of children down the road can all be fun conversations. However, some discussions are much more difficult to prepare for. Broaching the subject of a prenuptial agreement with your partner can be one of the most difficult conversations of your life, but it can also be one of the most important. In the case of a divorce, the lack of a prenuptial agreement could cost you. 

When Is a Prenup Needed? 

A prenuptial agreement is a document that details exactly what will happen to a couple’s finances in the event of divorce, including how certain property will be divided and whether one spouse will pay financial support to the other. In certain circumstances, a prenup can be incredibly important, ensuring that you have a secure financial future, no matter what happens in your marriage. A prenuptial agreement can be especially helpful if you have children from a prior marriage, if one party owns a business, or if you or your partner have significant assets going into the marriage. If you believe that a prenuptial agreement is important to securing your financial well-being, speak with a qualified family law team. 

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 Posted on February 05, 2019 in Divorce

A recent scientific study concluded that the divorce rate has been steadily rising over the past four decades. The study, which was published by a pair of sociologists at the University of California at Irvine, analyzed divorce statistics from 1970 to 2008 in countries from around the world, including India, Russia, and a number of Scandinavian nations, and it found that the divorce rate in most countries is primarily dictated by economic and religious factors. With more and more couples around the globe considering a separation, it is fascinating to look at the factors that are contributing to the steady rise in divorce. 

Primary Factors in Divorce Trends 

After conducting the four-decade study on divorce rates within 83 different countries, the results were clear: the divorce rate is rising in countries with increased economic development. This may be attributed to a variety of reasons, including:

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