Posted on November 09, 2023 in Divorce

Not every law firm is prepared to take on a high-asset divorce. The issues involved in a divorce when the spouses share substantial wealth can be far more complex than those in a divorce with a less substantial marital estate. Issues may involve not only the value of the property involved but the complexity of the types of property to be divided equitably. Splitting the cash in a bank account is often easier than dividing a fluctuating stock portfolio. Couples with financially successful marriages should work with an Illinois divorce attorney with experience in high-net-worth divorces when ending their marriage. Dividing a large and complex marital estate without significantly decreasing its total value can be challenging. Your divorce may take time as your attorney steadily works towards a resolution that is fair and financially beneficial to you.

Issues in High Net Worth Divorce

Some of the unique issues that may arise in high-asset divorce include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 08, 2023 in Child Custody

When parents get divorced in Illinois, they are required to establish something called a parenting plan. A parenting plan is what it sounds like and outlines how two parents who are not together anymore will share the joys and duties of raising their child. Parents who were never married may also be required to establish a parenting plan when a child custody or parentage case is brought. These plans are designed to prepare separated parents for successful co-parenting. Having the majority of decisions about co-parenting made in advance can reduce conflict later, as there are fewer undecided issues to argue over. Parenting plans can either be made by the parents or by the Court. Mediation can help parents reach an agreement in many cases. It is important to work with a well-qualified Illinois child custody lawyer when you need a parenting plan.

What Does a Parenting Plan Cover?

A lot of information is included in a parenting plan. The two primary goals of a parenting plan are to create a parenting time schedule and to allocate parental responsibilities. A parenting time schedule was referred to as a “custody and visitation calendar” in the past. Parents often use mediation to help them agree on a parenting time plan, but this issue can be contentious and is often litigated.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 25, 2023 in Child Custody

During an Illinois divorce, parental rights and responsibilities must be allocated. This means that each parent must be assigned specific responsibilities toward their children. Parental responsibilities include making important decisions about the child's upbringing and spending time with them. The list of parental rights and responsibilities assigned to each parent will be included in a parenting plan. Every set of parents who get divorced in Illinois must have a fairly comprehensive plan for co-parenting that covers things like which parent will see the child and when, and who is tasked with making different decisions. Most parents are able to establish a parenting plan and allocate responsibilities by agreement with the help of a mediator. Others may need to go to Court and have a Judge help allocate parental responsibilities. Your lawyer can help you determine what types of responsibilities must be accounted for in your particular case.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 19, 2023 in Divorce

Divorce mediation is not for every couple. Some spouses refuse to cooperate with the process, failing even to keep scheduled appointments. Other spouses are unable to agree on anything because they cannot work together without fighting. However, alternative dispute resolution does work quite well for most people who are getting divorced. Even rather contentious divorces can often be settled out of court through mediation. There are a lot of advantages to uncontested divorce. Resolving the issues in your divorce through mediation is usually faster and less costly than asking a Judge to make these decisions. If you are considering giving divorce mediation a try, consider consulting with an experienced attorney first. You should be represented by a lawyer even if you and your spouse are amicable and intend to file an uncontested divorce.

Will Divorce Work for Us?

Divorce mediation works for most spouses. Whether it works for you, however, depends on a number of factors. Some positive signs that you and your spouse may succeed in mediation include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 06, 2023 in Children of Divorce

Parents who are getting divorced are often worried about how their children will cope with the changes. Most adults can acknowledge that divorce can be hard on children. Children involved in divorce may struggle to adapt to not having both parents around all the time. They will likely need to get used to staying in a different household, at least some of the time. They may need to adjust to one or both parents having a new partner. This can also be challenging for children to witness conflict between their parents. Even if your legal divorce is relatively amicable, children may struggle with the idea that their parents do not want to be married anymore. Divorcing parents need to actively take steps to help their children transition to a new way of living successfully. An Illinois divorce attorney can also take steps to help guard your children from any legal conflict.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 29, 2023 in Child Custody

Navigating the sometimes rough waters of a child custody dispute in process can be challenging, both legally and emotionally. Very few parents would willingly give up any of the time they share with their children, and this often means that any disputes relating to parenting time or the parenting plan can become quite contentious during a divorce.

The time period while parents are divorcing can be quite stressful for children of any age. Parents need to take the right steps to protect the well-being of their children, as well as their own parental rights during this time. An attorney can advise you on how best to serve both goals at the same time.

Proven Tips for Navigating Custody Disputes

A few commonly-offered tips for parents undergoing a custody battle include:

• Keep the children out of parental disputes – A divorce can be difficult enough on young children without them being made to feel as if they are caught in the middle. Try not to do anything to damage your child's relationship with their other parent, such as by disparaging the other parent in front of your children.

Continue Reading ››

 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:

• Real estate
• Liquid assets like cash savings
• A variety of investments
• Business ownership

Continue Reading ››

 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:

• Legal custody: This is known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois, and it refers to a parent's right and responsibility to make decisions regarding their child's upbringing. Decision-making responsibilities may address issues such as education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities, and they may be shared between parents or granted primarily to one parent.

Continue Reading ››

 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.

During litigation, the Judge makes the final decision. Although the Illinois Court system always prioritizes the child's best interests, many parents prefer mediation to customize parental responsibilities on their own.

Continue Reading ››

 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.

Continue Reading ››