Blog | Wheaton Divorce Lawyers | Andrew Cores Family Law Group

Which Parent Gets Custody During the Holidays?

2023-12-09 01:22:00

For parents, the prospect of spending a major holiday without their children can be jarring. Most major holidays are considered family affairs. Unfortunately, when two parents are no longer living together, one of them is likely to miss seeing their children on some important holidays. Holiday parenting time should be addressed in the parenting plan you will be legally required to have before your divorce is finalized.

Attorneys and mediators can offer many different creative options for parents who must share their children’s time during the holidays after a divorce. A lot of different factors can go into deciding what type of arrangement is best, such as how far apart the parents live and whether they both practice the same religion. A qualified Wheaton, IL, child custody lawyer can give you some ideas to consider and help negotiate with the other parent on your behalf.

Protecting Your Child During a Custody Dispute

2023-12-04 22:50:00

Contested child custody cases can be difficult for parents and children alike. Things like having a guardian ad litem come in and interview your children or having a judge evaluate how involved in your child’s life you are can be immensely stressful. However, some of the difficult processes your family will go through are essential to helping the court make the best decisions. Remember that every decision the judge makes must be based on what is in the best interests of the child in question. While the judge strives to determine what type of parenting time calendar and allocation of parental responsibilities would be best for your child, there are steps you as a parent can take to protect your child’s well-being during the process. It is important to follow your Illinois family law attorney’s advice and keep them advised of your co-parenting strategy during an active custody dispute.

How Do I Know if My Spouse Is Hiding Assets?

2023-11-29 22:42:23

Illinois divorce attorneys have a number of ways of finding hidden marital assets. This is because it is fairly common for one spouse to try to conceal funds from the other in the hopes of not having to share. Illinois law clearly states that nearly all property a married couple obtains during the marriage is marital property, regardless of whose income was involved. Placing money or property in a separate account is not enough to make it not marital property. If you suspect that your spouse is keeping assets hidden from you, it is important to tell your divorce lawyer immediately so that they can begin conducting a search. Your divorce may be paused while your lawyer works to uncover secret assets using strategies like hiring a forensic accountant or using internet-based investment tracking resources.

When Can I Stop Paying Spousal Support?

2023-11-27 22:32:00

Very few people are pleased about being ordered to keep financially supporting the person they just divorced. The good news is that in most cases, spousal support does not last forever. Unless you and your spouse are senior citizens who have been married for 20+ years, the chances that you will be able to stop paying spousal support eventually are very high. Generally, Illinois courts do not like the idea of alimony. It is often seen as an outdated concept, a relic from a time when one spouse worked and the other was a homemaker in nearly every marriage. Spousal support is only ordered in cases where the court, having considered all the relevant factors, deems it fair to both parties. There are several reasons that spousal support payments may terminate in Illinois. An Illinois divorce attorney can assess your case and help determine when you might be able to stop supporting your former spouse.

Can I Modify My Final Divorce Decree?

2023-11-25 03:51:00

If you have experienced a substantial change in circumstances since your divorce decree was issued, you might be able to have your divorce decree modified. Illinois law recognizes that the terms of a divorce decree can become impractical or impossible to follow when one party has gone through a significant life change. A simple example is that a divorced person who has lost their job might no longer have the ability to pay spousal support. In this example, the court would likely be willing to modify the divorce decree to cancel spousal support payments. Parenting plans established during a divorce may also be altered if a significant change suggests that a modification is in the child’s best interest, such as if the child or a parent becomes disabled. If you feel that your divorce decree is no longer working because your circumstances have changed, you should contact an attorney to discuss pursuing a modification.

Tips for Smooth Child Custody Handoffs

2023-11-16 04:09:00

Custody exchanges are often the only time spouses who are getting divorced or who have already divorced will see each other outside of a courtroom or mediation center. Courts and mediation centers can lead the conversation so both parties stay focused on resolving their divorce or child custody case. During custody handoffs, there is usually not anyone present to be “in charge” of the situation. The parents must cooperate to keep custody handoffs smooth and civil on their own. This can be difficult, especially for those going through a high-conflict divorce. Your attorney can help you come up with an individualized plan to help your custody exchanges go well.

Strategies for Dividing Marital Property

2023-11-09 01:01:00

In uncontested divorce, spouses have a lot of freedom in how they divide their marital assets. Collaborative divorce has become far more popular than a contested divorce. It is easy to see why. When you go to court, it is largely up to a judge how they divide your marital assets, so long as they comply with Illinois law. When you and your spouse go to mediation or begin negotiating, you retain much more control over the final outcome. Alternative dispute resolution is also private, whereas contested divorce is not. Finally, deciding how to divide your property together is usually much less expensive and time-consuming than going through a battle in the courtroom. However, it can still be difficult for spouses to work together to come up with a fair way to divide their marital property. There are a number of strategies spouses can use during collaborative divorce. Even in out-of-court divorce, you should be represented by a family law attorney who can advocate for you during the process.

Signs Your Spouse Is Hiding Assets

2023-11-03 23:54:00

Trust is essential in a marriage. If you suspect that your spouse is hiding assets, it is fairly clear that there is little trust remaining in your marriage. If you are also contemplating divorce, it is important to know whether your spouse has assets you do not know about but may have a claim to. It is fairly common for people who suspect that their spouse is going to leave them to begin concealing money or other valuable property in the hopes that they will be able to keep it all in the divorce. Illinois law requires all marital property to be divided equitably between spouses and considers almost all property acquired after marriage to be marital property. If you suspect that you do not know about all of your marital assets, your divorce attorney may be able to take steps like bringing in a forensic accountant to reveal any hidden money or property.

Who Should Use Divorce Mediation?

2023-10-27 22:35:00

Divorce mediation is now a very popular option for people of all ages and income levels who are getting divorced. In Illinois, spouses who are able to agree on each issue in their divorce can often get divorced fairly quickly. Courts will nearly always accept agreements between the spouses and use these terms in the divorce decree. Mediation is also done in private as opposed to contested divorce, which is carried out in open court. It is also generally far more cost-effective than going to court. This can make divorce mediation a very attractive option for a lot of couples. It tends to work particularly well for amicable spouses but can work for those who are fighting as well. However, mediation is not for every set of spouses. Your DuPage County divorce attorney can help you decide whether trying divorce mediation first makes sense in your case.

Can I Receive Alimony After My Divorce?

2023-10-26 18:04:00

Whether you can be awarded alimony in your Illinois divorce depends on the length of your marriage, the marital income, and other factors Illinois spousal maintenance law considers important. The judge will likely take your ability to earn a living into consideration as well. If you were married and a homemaker for a long time, you likely have a very strong case for needing alimony. It can be extremely difficult to re-enter the workforce after years of being a full-time parent or devoting yourself to running the household. Courts generally do not want to see anyone left in a position where they cannot afford to meet their basic needs after a divorce. If you believe that you will need alimony after your divorce, it is important to work with an experienced attorney who can identify the best arguments in your favor.