Posted on September 27, 2023 in Divorce

Anyone who has been in an abusive marriage has likely been asked, “Why do you not just leave?” People who have never been in this position often struggle to understand why leaving an abusive marriage is more complex than exiting almost any other type of relationship. Abusers tend to control every aspect of their spouse’s life. They may have complete control over the finances, making it impossible for you to simply go make alternate living arrangements.

Many isolate their spouse from any family members or friends they could go to for help leaving. Other abusers will use intimidation and threats to prevent their spouse from leaving. These threats may be violent or legal in nature. Making threats such as, “If you divorce me I will paint you as a bad parent and keep the kids away from you,” is quite normal in an abusive marriage. 

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 Posted on September 15, 2023 in Divorce

A high-asset divorce involves a couple who owns property with significant value that must be separated in a divorce. There is not a set net worth a couple must have to qualify for a high asset divorce, but it generally involves couples with a net worth of a million dollars or more. Since all divorce calls for a division of assets, there are several things you need to consider to protect your financial interests when the stakes are this high. Luckily, the work of a skilled divorce lawyer can help. 

What Has to Be Divided in a High-Asset Divorce?

Regardless of the type of asset a couple or individual owns, as long as it is a marital asset and not an individually owned asset, its value must be divided in a divorce. These assets include: 

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 Posted on September 12, 2023 in Child Custody

In many divorce and family law cases, child custody is one of the most important issues to address. In Illinois, the courts seek to protect the best interests of the child when making decisions about parental responsibilities and parenting time. The court will look at a variety of factors to determine the best ways to provide for children’s needs going forward. Parents who are seeking to protect their parental rights and resolve child custody disputes can work with an attorney to make sure these issues will be addressed correctly.

Types of Child Custody

Child custody issues generally fall into two categories:

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 Posted on September 06, 2023 in Divorce

Child custody is now called parental responsibilities in the state of Illinois. Although the name has shifted, the complex and emotional nature remains and parents always want the best for their children. 

You may find yourself at odds with your ex-spouse based on different parenting styles, opinions, and lifestyles. Luckily, there are amicable ways you can resolve parental responsibilities disputes. With the help of a skilled child custody attorney, you can use mediation to settle your child's arrangement questions. 

How Does Mediation Work in Divorce?

During mediation, a neutral third party works with both parents to find a mutual solution to any divorce issues, including child support, spousal support, and asset division. In this case, your mediator will help facilitate an agreement on parental responsibilities. 

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 Posted on August 24, 2023 in Legal Separation

When a marriage is no longer working, one or both spouses may feel that divorce is the only solution. However, before making such a drastic decision, couples may benefit from exploring other options that could possibly save the marriage or provide clarity on whether divorce is truly the best course of action. In some cases, legal separation may be a solution that is preferable to divorce.

What Exactly Is Legal Separation?

In Illinois, legal separation allows couples to live apart while still being legally married, giving a couple the chance to take a step back from their marriage and decide whether they want to continue with the relationship.

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 Posted on August 18, 2023 in Divorce

The end of a long-term relationship can be challenging for everyone involved, and a divorce or separation can be especially hard on children. Co-parenting is a way to ensure that children continue to receive the love and support they need from both parents, even after the parents’ marriage or relationship has ended. While co-parenting may not always be easy, the effort helps protect the children’s well-being. As you work to resolve child custody issues in your divorce and establish workable co-parenting arrangements, following these tips can help make the process easier for everyone involved:

1. Put Your Children First

The primary focus of co-parenting should always be what is in the best interest of your children. You will want to do your best to set aside any personal differences with your ex-spouse and make decisions based on what will benefit your children's emotional and physical development. By prioritizing your children’s needs over your own desires, you can create a healthier environment for them as they grow up.

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 Posted on August 07, 2023 in Child Custody

In any divorce or separation involving children, Illinois courts require the parents to create a parenting plan that outlines how they will share parenting time, decision-making authority, and other child-related responsibilities. A parenting plan is a legal document that helps ensure both parents are involved in their children's lives and provides a framework for co-parenting after the dissolution of a couple’s marriage or the end of their relationship. By understanding what will be included in a parenting plan, parents can make sure they will be able to resolve child-related issues during a divorce or family law case, and they can be prepared to work together to raise their children in the years to come.

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 Posted on August 07, 2023 in Spousal Support

When a couple decides to end their marriage, they will need to address a variety of concerns as they proceed with their divorce. In some cases, spousal support (also known as spousal maintenance or alimony) will be an important issue to address. Spousal support orders will create a legal obligation in which one spouse will be required to pay financial support to their former partner. These payments may be necessary to address a disparity in the incomes earned by the parties and ensure that both spouses will be able to maintain their standard of living. However, it is important to understand that spousal support can be awarded in different forms, including both temporary and permanent support.

Temporary Spousal Support

Temporary maintenance, as the name suggests, is awarded for a limited period of time during divorce proceedings. This is designed to provide financial assistance to the lower-earning spouse until a final spousal support order is issued. Temporary support is meant to maintain the status quo and ensure that both spouses can meet their financial needs during the divorce process.

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 Posted on July 21, 2023 in Divorce

Going through a divorce can be emotionally and financially challenging. However, the divorce process can become even more complicated when one spouse suspects that the other is hiding assets. In Illinois, the law requires both parties to fully disclose their assets during divorce proceedings. Unfortunately, some individuals may try to conceal or undervalue certain assets in order to gain an unfair advantage when dividing marital property during the divorce process.

If you believe your spouse has hidden assets, consulting with an experienced family law attorney who can help uncover these issues and ensure a fair division of property is crucial. At The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C., our skilled divorce lawyer understands the complexities involved in identifying and addressing hidden assets in an Illinois divorce.

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 Posted on July 18, 2023 in Divorce

During the divorce process, couples will need to address a wide variety of issues, and they will need to determine how to resolve disputes over issues such as property division and child custody. To ensure that a divorce can be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible, couples will often look at what options are available for resolving their outstanding issues and avoiding conflict. Mediation is a popular alternative to traditional litigation for couples who are seeking an amicable resolution to their divorce. During the mediation process, a couple will work together with a neutral third-party mediator to negotiate with each other and reach agreements on important divorce-related issues. If you are planning to use mediation to create a divorce settlement, you will need to understand the steps to take as you prepare to address and resolve the issues in your case.

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