Posted on October 01, 2014 in Divorce

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs found childhood stress may be the cause of compulsive behavior habits in adulthood. In fact, experiencing parents divorcing was cited as one of the major stressors children can experience. The root of this behavior, cites lead researcher Dr. George P. Moschis of Georgetown University, is that when a child is dealing with upheaval and stress in the home, they look for comfort and satisfaction away from the home.

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 Posted on September 29, 2014 in Divorce

It is not unusual for a couple to cancel a pending divorce to try and rekindle their relationship, even after a divorce attorney has been retained and papers have been drawn. According to a 2011 study, there is an increased level of desire among couples in regards to wanting a marriage to survive, especially when children involved. The study, “Interest in Marital Reconciliation Among Divorcing Parents”, concluded that 45 percent of the 2,500 couples surveyed favored possible reconciliation. Therefore, if you are currently separated from your spouse but are still unsure if divorce is the best option for your marriage, it may be beneficial to determine exactly where you stand before making any life altering decisions. 

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 Posted on September 24, 2014 in Divorce

There is no doubt that women significantly contribute to today’s workforce. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau, the American workforce is comprised of 127.1 million women and is only expected to increase. To further break down the demographic, single mothers, with children under 18 years of age, comprised 74.2 percent of mothers in the workforce in 2013. Married mothers ranked at 67.8 percent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics further defines working single mothers as women who never married or those working due to an absent spouse caused by separation, divorce or death.

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 Posted on September 19, 2014 in Family Law

According to the National Stepfamily Resource Center, between 50 to 60 percent of first marriages end in divorce. Approximately 75 percent of those who divorce will remarry, and 65 percent of those couples will have children from prior marriages. In fact, a survey conducted by Pew Research Center about stepfamilies and blended families found that almost half of all adults in this country have at least one step relative.

In the study, the center surveyed 2,691 adults. Forty-two percent of those participating reported having a step-sibling, stepparent or stepchild. The research team asked participants a series of questions and compared the answers of those who had blended families to those who did not.

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 Posted on September 15, 2014 in Domestic Violence

Studies have linked substance abuse to domestic violence, and this type of abuse can lead to an increase in the divorce rate, as many victims of domestic violence leave their spouses. However, a new study surprisingly revealed a decrease in domestic violence for spouses who frequently use marijuana.

The study was conducted by researchers from Rutgers University, the University of Buffalo and Yale University. The goal of the survey was to measure how marijuana use affected rates of intimate partner violence (IPV). For the purpose of the study, the research team identified hitting, slapping, choking, and beating as intimate partner violence.

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 Posted on September 11, 2014 in Family Law

With the finalization of your divorce, you suddenly realize you are now a newly single individual. Your experienced divorce attorney assisted you through the challenges of continual maintenance support payments, child visitation schedules, child support calculations, and the equitable division of all marital property. However, is it also time to perform one last legal action?

Legally changing your name and reclaiming your independence may be the one legal action remaining on your post divorce bucket list. This decision should not be done in haste, especially if children are involved, but it is a personal decision you may consider.

If you reside in Illinois, Statute 735 ILCS (5/21-101) permits you to petition the court to validate your request for a legal name change. Illinois, as well as many other states, established a preset protocol to discourage individuals from haphazardly requesting a name change for those trying to avoid legal issues or erase a criminal background.

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 Posted on September 09, 2014 in Divorce

You and your spouse mutually decided to separate, and your spouse opts to file the necessary paperwork with a qualified divorce attorney. Aside from the emotional turmoil this decision brought forth, you realize that you will need to follow suit and retain an Illinois divorce attorney as well. You also realize that you will soon become quite familiar with the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5). But aside from the legalities involved, there are a few simple steps you can take to retain your composure and let your qualified attorney take the lead. While retaining a knowledgeable Illinois family law attorney is your primary line of dissolution defense, there are a few general legal do’s and don’ts to remember as you move forward in the divorce process.

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 Posted on September 06, 2014 in Divorce

Going through a divorce can be a very stressful and emotionally trying time. Even if you and your spouse are on agreeable terms, all it takes is one disagreement over a minor subject and you can suddenly find yourself in a very contentious divorce battle. However, there are steps you can take to help keep the peace both during your divorce and after it is final. Even though you will no longer be married, if you and your spouse have children together, you will both still be involved in some manner for the rest of your lives. Getting along together makes it that much better for everyone.

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 Posted on September 02, 2014 in Family Law

The divorce is final and you managed to get through the process. With the assistance of a qualified divorce attorney, all marital debt and asset issues have been resolved and you are now ready to redefine your life. As you pack away the marital memories, there is one nagging consideration that requires attention. How do you set boundaries with your former spouse as you will now share parental responsibilities?

A recent article written by Jennifer Wolf, a certified parent coach and leading advocate for single moms and dads, and published on Single Parents, suggests that the most important factor to keep in mind is curtailing the emotions that may have you reverting to the same undesirable habits that led you to a qualified divorce attorney in the first place.

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 Posted on August 29, 2014 in Child Custody and Support

The dog days of summer are winding down and that means back to school is right around the corner. The school year often involves a spike in activities and obligations for children, including team sport participations, music lessons, and other events that can put a strain on working parent schedules. For divorced couples who are co-parenting, school year commitments can strain an already stressful relationship. And even more disturbing is the effect all this has on the child.

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