Posted on March 19, 2024 in Main

Originally published: November 5, 2020 -- Updated: March 19, 2024

Update: As discussed below, some parents may choose to remain married while they raise their children rather than getting a divorce. In these situations, it may be beneficial to pursue a legal separation, which will allow a couple to remain legally married while detailing the rights and obligations that will apply to each party. With a legal separation, a couple may choose to live in different homes, or they may continue living together while focusing on parenting responsibilities and keeping their lives separate as much as possible.

A legal separation can provide a number of benefits, such as the ability to maintain family health insurance coverage. The creation of a separation agreement will ensure that both spouses fully understand how certain matters will be handled, including how they will make child-related decisions and, if they are living separately, when children will spend parenting time with each parent. If a couple has taken steps to separate their finances, one spouse may pay child support or spousal support to the other.

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 Posted on March 18, 2024 in Kane

When a marriage comes to an end, particularly under circumstances where one spouse is primarily responsible for the divorce, emotions can become heated. In some cases, a person may believe that their spouse should be punished for infidelity or other actions that led to the breakdown of their relationship. If you are planning to end your marriage in Illinois, you may wonder whether being the "innocent" spouse might impact your eligibility for alimony, also known as spousal maintenance. As you address this issue and other divorce-related concerns, it is important to understand the nuances of Illinois law regarding spousal maintenance and fault in a divorce. An experienced attorney can guide you through the complexities of divorce law and help you understand your rights and options.

Spousal Maintenance in Illinois: An Overview

Spousal maintenance is not automatically granted in Illinois divorces. The court will consider several factors to determine whether maintenance is appropriate and, if so, its amount and duration. However, it is important to understand that the purpose of spousal support is to maintain equality between spouses and ensure that they will both have enough financial resources to support themselves. Spousal maintenance will typically consist of monthly payments by one party to the other, and it is meant to ensure that a person who earns less than their former partner will be able to continue living at the standard the spouses were accustomed to while they were married.

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 Posted on March 04, 2024 in Main

When parents go through a divorce or need to address child custody issues in other family law cases, the well-being of their children is the most important factor to consider. Child custody evaluations can play a pivotal role in these legal proceedings, and an evaluator's assessments may influence the court's decisions regarding parenting time and responsibilities. If you need to work with a custody evaluator during your divorce or family law case, an experienced attorney can provide the guidance and representation you need.

What Are Child Custody Evaluations?

Child custody evaluations are assessments conducted by mental health professionals to provide the court with a comprehensive understanding of the family dynamics. Their reports and opinions can help determine what would be in the best interests of the child. These evaluations are particularly common in contentious divorce or child custody cases where parents cannot agree on the best arrangements for their children.

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 Posted on March 04, 2024 in Main

Sexual harassment is a distressing experience that can have a lasting impact on the victim's emotional well-being, their career, and other aspects of their life. If someone you know has faced sexual harassment, your support can play a crucial role in their recovery and pursuit of justice. There are a number of legal avenues available for victims, and an attorney who has experience in these matters can provide guidance on the best ways to proceed. With this understanding, a victim will be empowered to stand against injustice.

Here are several ways you can offer support and encourage a victim of sexual harassment to explore their legal options:

Listen and Validate Their Feelings

The first step in supporting a victim of sexual harassment is to listen without judgment. Affirm their feelings and experiences, ensuring they know they are not alone and that their emotions are valid. A supportive, empathetic ear can provide a solid foundation for their healing process.

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 Posted on February 27, 2024 in Kane

In many family law cases, child support is a crucial issue that will need to be considered. Both of a child's parents will have a financial obligation to ensure that their child's needs will be met. If you are a parent involved in a divorce or child custody case in Illinois, it is essential to understand what expenses child support is intended to cover. An understanding of how child support is calculated and how different expenses will be divided between parents can ensure that these issues will be addressed correctly. As you address issues related to child support, an experienced attorney can provide personalized assistance and representation to help you manage the legal aspects of your case effectively.

Basic Living Expenses Covered by Child Support

Child support in Illinois is determined by the "income shares" model. The formulas used to calculate child support consider the combined income of both parents to ensure that parents will contribute a similar amount of the income they earn toward meeting their children's needs as they would have if they continued to live together. Basic living expenses covered by child support include:

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 Posted on February 27, 2024 in Main

In family law cases, such as those involving divorce or child parenting disputes, emotions can often run high. Resolving these matters in the courtroom through traditional litigation can be an adversarial process that can escalate conflict and strain relationships further. This is why many people are turning to alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation to resolve their family law issues.

Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party facilitates discussions between the parties, helping them reach mutually agreeable solutions. An experienced attorney can act as a mediator, helping parties understand their legal rights and requirements and assisting them in resolving their outstanding issues. Mediation offers numerous benefits over traditional litigation that make it an attractive option for resolving family law cases, including:

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 Posted on February 27, 2024 in Main

In modern workplaces, understanding the dynamics of sexual harassment and knowing how to effectively respond to these issues is crucial for maintaining a safe and respectful workspace. Sexual harassment affects many people across various industries, including both women and men. In some cases, inappropriate actions may not be recognized as sexual harassment, or they may be ignored or even encouraged by people in positions of authority.

Because sexual harassment can be so harmful, it is essential for employees and employers to be well-informed about this issue so that they can respond appropriately. An experienced attorney can offer invaluable assistance to help address these concerns, respond to sexual harassment that has occurred, and ensure that an employee's rights are protected.

Recognizing Workplace Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment encompasses a range of unwelcome behaviors of a sexual nature that can create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. It is important to recognize the signs of sexual harassment, which may include:

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 Posted on February 09, 2024 in Kane

Financial issues addressed during a divorce can be complex, especially when a couple has a high net worth. In these cases, it is not uncommon for one spouse to attempt to hide assets in order to gain an unfair advantage when marital property is divided. Hidden assets can have significant implications on the outcome of a high asset divorce, affecting everything from the allocation of assets and debts to spousal support and child support. If you suspect that your spouse may be hiding assets, it is essential to work with an experienced attorney who can help you uncover the truth.

The Importance of Full Financial Disclosure

During the divorce process, both parties are required to provide each other with a full financial disclosure. This means that each spouse must disclose all income, assets, debts, and expenses accurately and honestly. However, some people may try to manipulate this process by intentionally concealing or undervaluing certain assets.

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 Posted on February 09, 2024 in Main

Sexual harassment is a pervasive problem in our society, affecting people in various workplaces, educational institutions, and other settings. It can have severe consequences for victims, both emotionally and professionally. One way to address the impact of sexual harassment is through compensation that a victim can receive after filing a claim or lawsuit.

Compensation is financial restitution provided to victims that will address their losses and alleviate some of the negative effects they have experienced. An attorney who understands workplace discrimination laws and has experience representing victims can help in getting appropriate and fair compensation. While compensation cannot undo the harm caused by sexual harassment, it can provide several significant benefits:

Recognition and Validation

Through compensatory measures, victims receive recognition that what they have experienced is wrong and should not have happened. This validation acknowledges their pain and suffering, helping them regain a sense of self-worth that may have been diminished by the traumatic experience.

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 Posted on February 09, 2024 in Main

Resolving a high net worth divorce can be complex, and contentious disagreements may occur when dividing substantial wealth and assets. One way to mitigate conflict and avoid protractive litigation is to have a prenuptial agreement in place. A prenuptial agreement, also referred to as a prenup, is a legal contract entered into by couples before marriage that determines how their financial affairs will be handled in the event of divorce or death. A family law attorney with experience assisting people who have a high net worth can help ensure that a prenup will be applied and enforced correctly during the divorce process.

The Purpose of a Prenuptial Agreement

Prenuptial agreements serve several purposes when it comes to high asset divorces:

• Protecting separate property: When one or both spouses enter the marriage with considerable assets, they may want to ensure that these assets will remain separate property in case of divorce. A prenup can specify which assets will or not be subject to division.

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