Posted on November 28, 2023 in Main

In the state of Illinois, family law encompasses a wide range of legal matters related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and other related concerns. Financial issues will be some of the most important aspects of many divorce cases, and in some situations, one spouse may believe that they should receive alimony payments from their former partner. Alimony is known as spousal maintenance under Illinois family law, and it will typically consist of monthly payments made for a certain period of time after the end of a couple’s marriage. When determining how to address maintenance during your divorce, an experienced attorney can provide guidance on how Illinois law will apply in your situation.

Understanding Maintenance in Illinois

Maintenance is not automatically granted in every divorce case in Illinois. The purpose is to ensure that both spouses will have sufficient financial resources to meet their ongoing needs and maintain a standard of living that is close to what they enjoyed while they were married. A person who requests spousal maintenance from their former partner will typically need to demonstrate that ongoing support is needed to ensure that they can cover ongoing expenses and avoid financial difficulties. 

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 Posted on November 09, 2023 in Kane

Every divorce has its complications, but some cases may require spouses to address complex financial issues and other concerns that may affect them and their children. In some cases, one spouse may have been primarily responsible for caring for the couple’s children and managing the household, and they may not currently work full-time. A stay-at-home parent may focus on family responsibilities, and the other parent may be primarily responsible for earning the income needed to cover family expenses.

In these situations, the end of a marriage can bring significant changes and uncertainties. A couple will need to resolve a number of legal and financial concerns, while also making decisions about how they will share custody of their children. For both stay-at-home parents and spouses who work full-time, an attorney can provide guidance and legal representation to make sure their interests will be protected during the divorce process.

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 Posted on November 08, 2023 in Main

Sexual harassment is a prevalent issue in many industries. It can affect a person’s ability to perform work-related duties, and it can also cause a great deal of emotional and psychological distress. Sexual harassment by a supervisor or a person in a position of authority can also affect a person’s career, especially if they experience retaliation for reporting inappropriate behavior. If you have experienced sexual harassment, it is important to know your rights and take appropriate action. However, there are certain things that you should avoid doing in order to protect yourself and ensure the best possible outcome for your case. With the help of an attorney, you can determine your best options, and you can take steps to protect your rights and interests.

Some things you should not do if you have been the victim of workplace sexual harassment include:

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 Posted on November 07, 2023 in Main

Child support is a crucial issue in many divorce and family law cases. It helps ensure that children's financial needs will be met after their parents separate. In the state of Illinois, child support orders are designed to address various expenses related to raising children. To understand what considerations may affect the calculation of child support and what expenses will need to be addressed, a parent can work with an attorney who has experience representing clients in family law cases.

Determining Child Support in Illinois

In Illinois, child support determinations are made based on what is known as an “income shares” model. The calculation of child support obligations will take both parents' incomes into account, and the costs involved in raising children will be divided proportionally between the parents based on their respective levels of income. In many cases, the parent who has the majority of the parenting time will receive child support payments from the other parent. However, in cases where parents share equal or near-equal amounts of parenting time, or have at least 146 overnights, additional calculations are required to divide child support obligations based on the amount of overnight time children spend with each parent

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 Posted on October 26, 2023 in Kane

Child custody cases can be complex, and they will involve a variety of legal issues, financial concerns, and other factors. These issues will determine how parents will make decisions for their children, where children will live, and how parents will share the costs involved in providing for their children’s ongoing needs. If one parent wishes to relocate with their child to a new home in a different city or state, they will need to follow certain procedures, and modifications to child custody orders may be required

In Illinois, parental relocation laws have been established to address these situations. Courts will take steps to protect the best interests of the child while also considering the rights of both parents. If you are planning to move with your child, or if your ex has informed you of their plans to relocate, it is important to understand what procedures will be followed and how you can address requests to modify child custody. An experienced attorney can provide guidance on how to protect your parental rights and resolve any disputes that may arise regarding parental relocation.

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 Posted on October 26, 2023 in Main

In some family law cases, establishing paternity is a critical step that will protect the legal rights of parents and ensure that child custody issues can be handled correctly by parents. Paternity refers to the legal recognition of someone as the father of a child. It is important for both mothers and fathers to understand when it is necessary to establish paternity in order to protect their interests and secure the best possible outcome for their children. When addressing issues related to paternity and child custody, it is important to work with an attorney who can provide guidance on how to handle these concerns and legal representation in any court proceedings that may be necessary.

The Importance of Paternity

Establishing paternity provides numerous benefits for both parents and children. Some of these benefits include:

• Legal rights: Once paternity is established, both parents will have legal rights and responsibilities toward their child. A father who is recognized as a child’s legal parent will have the right to reasonable visitation or parenting time, and he may also share decision-making authority regarding the child's upbringing. Parents will also be able to access a child’s medical and school records, and the child will have inheritance rights following the death of either parent.

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 Posted on October 26, 2023 in Main

Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue that affects people in many different industries. It can have devastating effects on victims, leading to emotional distress, career setbacks, and even physical harm. While sexual harassment can occur in any workplace, there are some industries that have higher rates of harassment. Workers who have experienced sexual harassment will need to understand their legal options for addressing this issue, and they can do so with the help of an attorney who has experience in these types of cases.

Industries where sexual harassment is especially prevalent include:

The Hospitality Industry

Employees frequently interact with customers in settings such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and resorts. The customer-facing nature of this type of work can expose people to a higher risk of sexual harassment from both guests and colleagues. The fast-paced nature of these environments may also contribute to a lack of oversight or accountability. Many of these jobs are low-paying, and they are more likely to be held by women. Workers may be at risk of sexual harassment due to power imbalances and the need to rely on tips to earn income.

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 Posted on October 10, 2023 in Kane

The process of divorce can be complex, especially for spouses who need to determine how to divide assets such as family businesses. One important aspect to consider during a divorce is the valuation of any businesses owned by either spouse. For business owners and their spouses, determining the value of business assets is a crucial aspect of ensuring an equitable distribution of marital assets. When addressing issues related to business valuation and division, an attorney who has experience handling these concerns can be an invaluable resource, and they can advocate for a fair division of marital property.

What Is a Business Valuation?

A business valuation is an assessment conducted by financial experts to determine the fair market value of a company. This valuation provides an accurate picture of how much the business is worth. A comprehensive valuation of business assets can play a significant role in property division negotiations during divorce proceedings.

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 Posted on October 10, 2023 in Main

In family law cases involving divorce, child custody, or related issues, the traditional method of resolving conflicts is through litigation. In these situations, spouses, parents, or other family members will address their legal concerns in the courtroom during hearings or trials. However, there is another alternative that is gaining popularity in family law cases: mediation. During the mediation process, a neutral third party will help the parties involved reach a mutually acceptable agreement by encouraging communication and negotiation.

Mediation offers several benefits over litigation, and it often provides the easiest and most effective way to resolve family law disputes in ways that will be satisfactory to all parties involved. To ensure that issues can be addressed and resolved correctly, divorcing spouses, separated parents, or other family members can work with an attorney who has experience assisting with mediation.

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 Posted on October 10, 2023 in Main

Originally published: March 26, 2020 -- Updated: October 9, 2023

Update: As discussed below, sexual harassment in the workplace can affect men just as much as it does women. Men may experience unfair treatment when they report inappropriate behavior, and they could face issues such as retaliation or termination. For anyone who has experienced these issues, it is important to understand what legal options may be available. To do so, victims of sexual harassment can consult with an attorney who has experience representing both men and women in these types of cases.

The specific remedies that may be available will often depend on the type of sexual harassment that has occurred and the ways a victim has been affected. Cases involving quid pro quo harassment or hostile work environment harassment may be treated differently, and a victim will need to understand what steps may be taken to address these issues.

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