Posted on August 22, 2016 in Child Custody and Support

Even if they do not feel morally obligated to do so, parents of children have a legal obligation to provide financial support. This applies when a couple divorces, legally separates, or even if they were never married. If you are a parent in the state of Illinois about to go through a divorce or legal separation or have a child outside of marriage the following information can help you understand the basics of how this obligation to provide support may apply to your situation, and how it is determined.

Child Support in Divorce or Legal Separation

When two parents are married and then decide to divorce or legally separate, they must also go through several legal processes that involve the welfare of their child. These include the allocation of parental responsibilities, assignment of parenting time, and determination of child support. Of those, the child support determination is often the most straightforward. However, it can be just as filled with contention as other aspects of the divorce since child support may be – at least in part - determined in relation to the amount of parenting time each parent receives.  Other factors that may be considered could include:

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 Posted on August 17, 2016 in Divorce

Financial infidelity can be devastating to a marriage. When a spouse lies about financial decisions or makes big decisions without consulting the other it not only takes an emotional toll but can also lead to serious financial hardship for the family in the future. A recent study released by the National Endowment for Financial Education showed that 31% of Americans have lied about money to their spouse, and financial concerns are among the leading causes for divorce around the country.

What Does Financial Infidelity Look Like?

Financial Infidelity can take many forms. If your spouse is being deceitful about money, you may notice that:

• Cash or valuable objects have gone missing;
• He or she opened credit cards and hid the receipts;
• Unexplained purchases have appeared in the house;
• He or she gets defensive or angry in response to questions about money

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 Posted on August 15, 2016 in Divorce

There are many steps to complete when it comes ending your marriage. There is marital property to divide, assets to consider, retirement plans to change, credit cards to open, and bank accounts to close. If you have children, there are additional, and often more emotional considerations regarding custody, parenting plans, and visitation rights.

You may also have other things to consider—who will keep the family pet? When can the ex-spouse still visit with and carry on a relationship with in-laws? Is it possible to still share a group of friends? These are all considerations that will need to be made at the personal discretion of the divorcing couple. While a legal professional can help with concrete processes, of course, including financial decisions and property division, he or she will only be able to offer solicited advice when it comes to the more personal aspects of marital dissolution.

Filing for Divorce

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 Posted on August 10, 2016 in Divorce

If you are thinking about filing for divorce, you probably realize that you will need to file your petition at the county courthouse. For many people, however, there are questions as to which county is appropriate. According to the law in Illinois, there are specific guidelines for choosing the right venue for your divorce, but you may have several options.

Basic Expectations

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act provides that the proceedings for a divorce in Illinois should be held “in the county where the plaintiff or defendant resides.” If you and your spouse both live in Kane County, then your divorce, barring unusual circumstances, should take place in the circuit court of Kane County. If you live in Kane County but your spouse has moved to DuPage County, your divorce could be handled by the court of either county. In any case, a county court judge may direct your process to any other county in the state as needed.

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 Posted on August 08, 2016 in Child Custody and Support

As a divorced, separated, or unmarried parent, you undoubtedly understand the importance of providing financial support for your child, particularly if you have not been granted primary residential parental responsibilities. Of course, there is much more to being a parent than paying child support, but when you are having trouble making your obligated payments, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take when meeting your obligations becomes impossible, and an experienced family lawyer can help.

Requesting a Modification

Child support orders in Illinois are generally based on the paying parent’s income and the number of children being supported. Therefore, if your income or ability to generate income changes substantially, you can request a modification to your support order. You will need to show that there has been a significant change in your circumstances, but if the court approves your request, your order can be amended to reflect your current situation.

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 Posted on July 29, 2016 in Divorce

It seems that adultery is all around us. Movies and TV shows, celebrities, professional athletes, and politicians are constantly reminding us that cheating is a serious problem in American marriages. It is estimated that 30 to 60 percent of married people will have an extramarital affair at least once in the course of a marriage. The pain and heartache that comes from finding out that your spouse has been unfaithful to you can often be the beginning of the end of your marriage, and pave the way for a divorce.

 The Age of the Internet Has Made Cheating Easier Than Ever

Sixty years ago, when Alfred Kinsey conducted his ground-breaking study on American’s relationships and sex lives, the definition of cheating was much clearer than it is today. Interactive websites where individuals can chat with others protected by distance and anonymity has blurred the line as to what counts as cheating.  Does casually flirting through text messages or in a chat room count?  Does sharing explicit pictures or videos but not meeting in real life constitute an affair?

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 Posted on July 27, 2016 in Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

When it comes to prenuptial agreements, the general opinion often seems to stem from the negative stigma that anyone who pursues such an agreement must not have much faith or trust in their future spouse. Although this may actually be the case for some individuals, in most cases, this stereotype could not be farther from the truth.

Prenuptial Agreements in Today’s World

Prenuptial agreements are extremely popular nowadays, for multiple reasons. Their popularity is not merely a reflection of the state of marriages in today’s society; prenups offer practical advantages that can benefit both partners equally. Broaching the topic with your future spouse can feel uncomfortable at first, but if you both share mutual interest in pursuing a prenuptial agreement, it can prove to be a valuable, effective tool as you enter your marriage.

Here are some factors to discuss if you are on the fence about signing:

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 Posted on July 26, 2016 in In the News

If you walk around any major metropolitan area during the evening, you will probably see something that seems a little unusual. Hordes of people have out their cell phones and are excitedly walking around, intently staring at their screens. Every so often, a person will exclaim “I got it!” and show their phone to their group. You will see all types of people doing this: teenagers, families with children, single dads and their kids, and even adult couples. Virtually all of these individuals are playing the new viral sensation, Pokémon Go. 

Basics of Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go is an augmented-reality game that uses GPS and encourages players to walk around neighborhoods, historic landmarks, and businesses looking for Pokémon. When the player finds a Pokémon, the animated creature appears on their phone seemingly superimposed on the “real life” background. The player must then swipe the phone’s touchscreen to throw Pokéballs at the creature in order to capture it. Users are also rewarded for visiting various checkpoints—known as Pokéstops—and can increase their in-game strength by walking increasing distances in real life.

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 Posted on July 22, 2016 in In the News

The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys has recognized the exceptional performance of Illinois’s Family Law Attorney Douglas B. Warlick, Esq. as 2016 10 Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction. 

The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys is a third-party attorney rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in each state. Attorneys who are selected to the "10 Best" list must pass AIOFLA's rigorous selection process, which is based on client and/or peer nominations, thorough research, and AIOFLA’s independent evaluation.  AIOFLA's annual list was created to be used as a resource for clients during the attorney selection process. 

One of the most significant aspects of the selection process involves attorneys' relationships and reputation among his or her clients. As clients should be an attorney's top priority, AIOFLA places the utmost emphasis on selecting lawyers who have achieved significant success in the field of Family Law without sacrificing the service and support they provide. Selection criteria therefore focus on attorneys who demonstrate the highest standards of Client Satisfaction.

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 Posted on July 18, 2016 in Family Law

In a world where a video game stores will hold midnight release parties for the latest “first-person shooter”—think Call of Duty—or open-world, “sandbox” title—Grand Theft Auto—parents often struggle with finding ways to get their children off of the couch. Very few probably ever thought that one solution might be found in yet another type of video game.  About two weeks ago, Pokémon Go was released as a smartphone version of a franchise that has entertained children and adult around the world for nearly two decades. The release instantly sparked a wave of interest as players from all walks of life became invested in the “augmented reality” game. As you might expect, however, there have been some problems and dangers associated with Pokémon Go. If you are a parent whose children are caught up trying to “catch ‘em all,” talk to them about staying safe while having fun.

What is Augmented Reality?

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