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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 Posted on July 13, 2016 in Divorce

If you have made the decision to end your marriage, you are probably now facing a multitude of questions. Some are very reasonable, such as those regarding how you will support yourself after divorce or where your children will live. Others, though, can be even more confusing, especially if the answers should be straightforward but, for one reason or another, are not. For example, do you know how much your spouse makes each month? Are you sure? What about investments? Do you know where all of your money is? Obtaining a sound divorce settlement or judgment relies on the answers to these questions and countless others just like them, and a forensic accountant may be able to help.

What Is a Forensic Accountant?

Your divorce team could include experts from a variety of fields, including mental health, parenting, real estate, and financial planning, but a forensic accountant offers a very unique perspective. He or she is trained to assemble, review, and analyze financial records of an individual, family, and business to identify any possible discrepancies. By doing so, a forensic accountant is able to uncover hidden assets, discover secret revenue streams, and reveal misappropriation of marital and personal property. In addition to divorce cases, forensic accountants are also utilized extensively in investigations of money laundering and white-collar crime.

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 Posted on July 11, 2016 in Mediation

Family law issues, such as divorce or child-related issues (i.e. allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time) are complex legal matters that can emotionally drain and devastate all involved. Mediation – an alternative dispute resolution method that encourages families to work toward a mutually beneficial agreement – can sometimes help parties resolve their matters in a more amicable way. In some instances, parents may even become better communicators if they can manage to find common ground and successfully complete the mediation process. But it is not the right option for everyone.

How Mediation Works

In mediation, there are at least three parties: the disputants (you and your ex) and the mediator. As an impartial party that does not represent one side or the other, the mediator is not able to make a decision about the dispute. Instead, they help facilitate productive communication and help you find common ground so that you can develop a solution for your legal problems. You can, however, seek assistance from your own attorney during this process to help ensure you have considered all aspects of your matter, and that the decisions you make are carefully considered beforehand.

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 Posted on July 06, 2016 in Spousal Maintenance

Divorcing couples usually have a number of questions and concerns about spousal maintenance (alimony) when they begin to address financial arrangements at the end of the marriage. One of the most pressing questions for most spouses is whether or not they are eligible for alimony at all, and if so, how that decision is reached.

Circumstantial Factors

It is understandable to want to know how much you must pay your spouse or how much you are eligible to receive, but the answers to these questions are not cut and dry. The court handles spousal maintenance on a case-by-case basis, taking a number of factors into consideration to first determine whether or not alimony is appropriate. Illinois law examines all of the following factors before deciding to grant an alimony award to either spouse:

• The present needs of each party;
• Each spouse’s current earning capacity;

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 Posted on June 29, 2016 in Child Custody and Support

As the high school graduation season draws to a close, prospective college freshmen are looking ahead toward the beginning of a new adventure. Over the past several decades, however, rising tuition costs and tighter household budgets have made paying for post-high school education more difficult than ever. More and more students are turning to their parents for help with college expenses, though many couples lack the financial ability to assist their children. Some can afford to help, but make the decision not to do so. When this happens, does a college-bound student have any recourse under the law?

Non-Minor Support for College Expenses

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) does contain a provision that could allow the court to require divorced parents to contribute toward their child’s college expenses, even after the child has reached adulthood. The existence of such a law seems to create a double standard: a child whose parents are divorced can get help, but a child whose parents are still together cannot. The reality, however, is not quite that simple.

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