Recent Blog Posts
Pot Smoking Couples Have Lower Rates of Intimate Partner 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.
Legally Changing Your Name Following an Illinois Divorce
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.
Legal Do’s and Don’ts of Divorce: Let a Qualified Attorney Take Lead
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.
How to Have a Healthy 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.
Post Divorce Ground Rules Foster a Healthier Relationship with Your Ex
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.
Starting the School Year off Right When Co-Parenting
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.
Adoption: Illinois Assistance Programs and a Little Help from the IRS
According to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), over 17,000 deserving children have received the opportunity to thrive and flourish with a loving family over the past decade. For those deciding to adopt, it may be viewed by others as a selfless act, but this personal decision of offering the gift of love is the driving force.
If you are an Illinois resident considering adoption, working with the DCFS and an experienced adoption attorney is key to ensuring a smooth transition, and both can also provide you with information about state and federal resources available to you and your growing family.
What to Consider When Moving Children Away from Co-Parent
There are several reasons why, after a divorce, people make the decision to move away. If you experienced divorce and are originally from another state, maybe you decided to move back home where your extended family lives. Maybe you received a better job offer, or are re-marrying someone who lives in another state. Whatever the reason, if you have children with your ex-spouse, moving away could be a lot more complicated than just packing up the moving van.
If your ex-spouse is against you taking the children and moving away, you will have to file a moving away motion, which could be expensive. This is also a process that is typically long and drawn out. Judges are not quick to make a decision and these cases can sometimes take years to decide, especially if the other parent is fighting the move.
Online Dating Sites: Are Matching Claims Real or Science Fiction?
A divorce brings on many new life changes. One of the biggest, and perhaps one of the most overwhelming, is dating. There has been a surge of popularity in online dating sites over the past several years. Many of these sites “guarantee” you will find love. But will you?
A recent 64 page report, written by scientists who were commissioned by the Psychological Science in the Public Interest, challenges the assertions of mathematical algorithms scientifically proven to predict successful relationships as used by online dating websites.
Grandparents Have Rights: Petitioning for Visitation in Illinois
The bond between grandparents and their grandchildren is special. Sunday trips to their home for family dinner or perhaps a week or two during the summer can leave lasting memories for the grandchildren as well as the grandparents. The bond is different from that of a parental bond. However, divorce can often weaken that bond.
The divorcing parent may withhold visitation or any type of involvement in the child’s life to the parents of the exiting spouse. Grandparents.com, an organization dedicated to the sanctity of all things grandparents, recently pondered if grandparents have enough rights when it comes to visitation post divorce.
