Posted on November 12, 2018 in Family Law

Divorces represent one of the most difficult challenges that two people will ever face in their lives. While the decision to separate can be a healthy and amicable one, it can still be emotionally challenging to begin a life without your former partner. Divorces can also become contentious, due to issues of financial security and resource allocation. Still, nothing seems to bring more emotional stress to a divorce than the presence of children.

If you are in the midst of a divorce and your former spouse is seeking sole-custody of your children, it is time to begin working toward a parental visitation schedule. Every good parent wants to play a role in their child’s life; contacting a quality legal team can help you do just that.

How a Visitation Schedule is Made

Here in the state of Illinois, the vast majority of visitation conflicts are resolved through either mediation or extensive negotiation. This type of conflict resolution enables both parties to work towards a schedule that is mutually beneficial. A mediation resolution also offers parents an opportunity to begin their new parental relationship. Finding a way to come together and build a schedule that works for both parents, and highlights the best interest of the children involved, can be a good first step in the new parental dynamic.

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 Posted on November 08, 2018 in Domestic Violence

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), approximately 10 million Americans are abused by an intimate partner each year. In all, 20 Americans experience domestic abuse every single minute, across the United States. Domestic abuse is one of the most physically dangerous and emotional traumatizing crimes to be a victim of. In many cases, victims are afraid to leave, do not want to alert authorities, and may still have an emotional connection to their abuser. In other situations, children are involved, and that can lead to increased complications and concerns.

Still, domestic violence can escalate quickly, and removing you and your family from a violent situation is the most important step you can take in ensuring your safety. If you or a loved one are facing domestic violence at home, contact law enforcement officials immediately and reach out to a team of legal representatives you can trust.

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 Posted on November 05, 2018 in Family Law

For thousands of American couples, adoption offers the opportunity to complete their family unit. Adoption represents a beautiful decision for a couple looking for a child, and a child in need of loving parents. According to studies conducted by the National Survey of Adoptive Parents (NSAP), more than 600,000 children in foster homes throughout the United States are adopted by permanent custody parents each year. Making the decision to adopt represents a truly life-changing decision for all parties involved. If you and your family, are contemplating adopting, it may be time to contact a family law attorney to assist you with some of the complex legal proceedings involved in every adoption.

Common Adoption Misconceptions

When making the decision to adopt, prospective parents are posed with a number of important questions, but they may also be presented with common misconceptions about adoption. 

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 Posted on October 30, 2018 in Divorce

In many divorce cases, one spouse elects to pursue a divorce based on the poor decisions of the other spouse. Some of the most common reasons for divorce include one spouse having an affair, one spouse recklessly spending money, or one spouse no longer carrying their weight as a parent. Still, in some divorces, both parties believe that separation is the best option for all parties involved. In these cases, a settlement may not be necessary, and a mediation may be the right choice for you and your former spouse.

What is a Mediation?

Mediation is the process in which you and your former-spouse meet with a neutral third-party and work to resolve the biggest issues holding up the finalization of the divorce process. Those most commonly discussed during a mediation include custodial responsibilities, child support payments, allocation of retirement finances, and distribution of property. A mediation is conducted outside the standard court process. When a divorce case is taken to court, in many cases, neither party walks away with what they wanted. A mediation represents a process in which neither party needs to agree until they absolutely want to.

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 Posted on October 25, 2018 in Divorce

A recent study conducted by a University of Maryland sociology professor, using data from the United States Census Bureau, found that divorce rates have been dropping steadily since 2008. In fact, in the eight-year period between 2008 and 2016, divorce rates have dropped an incredible 18%, nationwide. Yet, in all reality, the declining divorce rate has more to do with a smaller married population than an increase in healthier marriages. It is important to remember that removing yourself from an unhealthy marriage is almost always the best option for you and your family.

Millennials Are Not Marrying Young

Today’s young adult population has seemingly learned from the mistakes of their elders. Millennials are overwhelmingly electing to wait to get married until they are older, a decision that is directly leading to a declining divorce rate nationwide. In past generations, like the “Baby Boomers”, many American couples would marry at a  young age, have children, get divorced, and remarry. Millennials, it seems, are less inclined to marry before they are absolutely ready to do so.

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 Posted on October 23, 2018 in Child Custody

Thousands of American couples divorce each year - but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Divorces can offer disgruntled spouses a new opportunity to find love and excitement in their lives. Yet for parents, getting a divorce can come with major complications. Separating parents are posed with hard-hitting questions like: Where will our children live? Will I still get to see my kids? How will this impact our children’s development?

In many cases, the easiest solution to all these questions comes in the form of a joint-custody parenting agreement. A joint-custody parenting agreement is defined as a court order in which parenting responsibility is given to both parties, and both parents are named custodial parents. If you believe that a divorce is the best option for you and your family, it may be time to contact a knowledgeable team of divorce lawyers.

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 Posted on October 18, 2018 in Divorce

When considering a divorce, children are often at the forefront of the discussion. Sadly, there are hundreds of couples who elect to stay in unhealthy relationships as a means of ensuring their children have a home with both spouses, but what happens when you disagree with the parenting tactics of your spouse? More importantly, what should you do if your spouse is parenting your children in an abusive manner?

Child abuse can cause irreparable harm to a child’s mental psyche and emotional development. If you believe your child is being abused by your spouse, it is time to contact law enforcement officials and seek out legal guidance.

Different Types of Abusive Parenting

While most people assume that child abuse can only come through the form of physical violence, abusive parenting is not limited to physical harm. Verbal abuse, such as belittling and violent yelling, can also result in childhood trauma.

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 Posted on October 15, 2018 in Domestic Violence

Every single year, approximately 10 million Americans face some form of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can come in the form of physical violence, emotional abuse, and sexual misconduct, but regardless of the form, the abused party needs to remove themselves from the situation. When speaking with a loved one or a friend that is in an abusive relationship, it is important to know what to say, and how to say it. Domestic abuse continues to be a tragically prominent issue here in the United States, as 1 in 7 American women have been abused by a partner. If you or a loved one is in the midst of an abusive relationship, contact law enforcement officials as soon as possible, and meet with a legal professional that can help you move away from the dangerous situation.

What To Say To a Domestic Abuse Victim

As a friend or a family member of a domestic abuse victim, you have a responsibility to help your loved one remove themselves from the situation. Knowing what to say through these difficult conversations can make all the difference in ensuring that your loved one can safely escape the dangerous relationship.

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 Posted on October 11, 2018 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of American couples choose to file for divorce. Divorce can be brought on for a multitude of reasons, but it does create complications in family dynamics. For couples with children, the decision to pursue a divorce can be incredibly difficult. Even more difficult is the conversation that parents must have with their children. If you are considering a divorce, involving your children in the divorce process can be critically important to their emotional development as well as their understanding of their new home life.

Why These Conversations Are Important

Approximately half of all American children will witness the separation of their parents. While divorce oftentimes represents a healthier growing environment in comparison to an unhealthy married household, parents contemplating divorce need to help their children understand why they are separating. Studies conducted have found that children who experience a divorce in the household are more likely to experience depression, decline academically, and struggle with substance abuse. Children who experience a divorce are more than twice as likely to drop out of high school. Even later in life, children of divorce are more likely to experience psychological challenges such as anxiety, loneliness, and insecurity. All that said, a divorce can save a child from experiencing an abusive or dysfunctional home life.

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 Posted on October 09, 2018 in Divorce

When contemplating a divorce, parents have more to think about than just their relationship. While no one wants to stay in an unhealthy relationship, parents oftentimes choose to remain in toxic relationships, due to financial concerns, insecurity, and the wellbeing of their children. For many parents, the thought of a separation is quelled by the notion that they will no longer be able to support their children. Even those that believe they will receive child support payments have questions about their long-term ability to support their children’s dreams. No question is bigger than "Will I be able to help my child go to college?"

Fortunately, the state of Illinois has laws that can help sole-custody parents continue to receive child support for a non-minor child’s education expenses. If you want to help your child attend a quality university but are worried that your former spouse may not contribute, it may be time to contact a family law team that will represent your family’s best interest.

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