Recent Blog Posts
New Study Reveals Divorce Statistics Even Higher Than Previously Reported
A new study by the Minnesota Population Center reveals that for the past 30 years, marriage experts have been reading the wrong data when it comes to determining the increases and decreases of this country’s divorce rate. And this new information shows that the divorce rate is even higher than previously thought – especially among baby boomers.
What You Need to Know About Prenuptial Agreements
When it comes to prenuptial agreements, many people have a basic understanding of how they work. However, there are many details surrounding them that people may not be familiar with. One of the most commonly misunderstood details is how to approach the subject of prenuptial agreements with your fiancee.
Nancy Dunnan, a New York City financial advisor and author, suggests that couples discuss prenuptial agreements even before the engagement. “Let your intended know you believe these agreements are important and that you would like to go over the topic.”
What Is Divorce Mediation?
Many times during a divorce process, rather than enduring litigation, couples will turn to mediation in order to help resolve conflicts and work out a mutually beneficial divorce settlement. It is often said that the method by which conflicts are processed and resolved will end up having a large influence on a family’s adjustment to the divorce. In divorce mediation, spouses meet with a neutral third party (the mediator) and work through any issues that need to be resolved in order to end the marriage as amicably and cost effectively as possible.
A mediator’s role is to help you and your spouse clearly define any issues you may have, keep all lines of communication open, and to promote discussion and resolution. This does not mean that the mediator will make all of your decisions or you, but rather, he or she will assist in bringing the issues to the table and making it possible to effectively deal with them.
What is Annulment and Who is Eligible?
Many people have heard of the term “annulment” and understand that it somehow similar to getting a divorce, but different in some mysterious way. Under Illinois law, an annulment is referred to as a “declaration of invalidity of marriage”. Unlike a divorce, an annulment does not simply terminate a marriage; an annulment states that a marriage is not valid and completely dissolves it as if it never existed in the first place.
What is Spousal Support and Why Does it Exist?
Sometimes in marriage, one spouse remains at home with the kids while the other goes off to work every day. For one reason or another, one spouse has been out of the work force for so long that it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible to find a new job to live on. When this happens, that spouse can face many financial troubles if the couple gets divorced. Luckily, there is a solution to this problem: spousal support.
Not just anybody is eligible for spousal support. The courts must consider a variety of different factors when determining if a couple is eligible for maintenance, including, but not limited to, the following:
Illinois Seeks to Protect Student Privacy
The Illinois legislature hopes to put parent’s mind at ease when it comes to their children’s digital privacy, while at the same time protecting parental rights with new changes to Illinois family law and criminal law.
The Privacy in the School Setting Act prevents any public elementary or secondary school district, and any higher learning institution from requiring or requesting that a student, prospective student, or parent/guardian turn over their social network password. To protect student privacy, the law also bans schools from accessing student email accounts without a parent or guardian’s permission. The law does provide an exception for cases when the school has reasonable cause to suspect that a student has violated school disciplinary rules or policies and has posted evidence of the violation on social media.
Happy Wife, Happy Life: University of Chicago Study Begs to Differ
A new research study released by the University of Chicago appears to have upset the proverbial marital apple cart as compiled data indicates that the husband is the key player in maintaining a happy marriage and avoiding divorce court.
Step into Spring without Stepping on New Mom's Toes: Questions to Avoid Regarding Adoption
Winter has broken and Spring has sprung. It is so nice out that you decide to pack up your two year old and head to the neighborhood park. It seems as if everyone had the same idea. The park is packed and you recognize your neighbor Lindsay with a toddler within watchful reach. You vaguely remember that Lindsay and Jack were considering adoption last Fall and it appears that the adoption process went well.
As you stroll over, toddler in tow, you are still wondering how to bring up such a personal choice as adoption without appearing intrusive. Luckily for others, Parents Magazine recently published an article on adoption etiquette by Wesley C. Davidson from American Baby. Davidson suggests the following questions and remarks should not find their way into the conversation.
Quick Tips to Improve & Reclaim Your Relationship
The kids, the housework, the job, the bills, the never-ending schedule, the dog, the cat, the spouse.
Sometimes it can become, plain and simple, overwhelming. So much so that you have given a thought or two about resigning from your marriage. But then you remember your vows and retract your resignation. You pick up the pace to avoid becoming a member of the divorce club that still affects 40 to 50 percent of all Americans today.
You may take a personal inventory and ask yourself how you can change the daily routine and banish the rut you and your spouse have recently accepted as the norm. You decide to give it another shot and get your house in order. However, if that does not work, you can always contact an experienced divorce attorney to start reconfiguring the jigsaw puzzle that is your life.
What Are the Types of Orders of Protection for Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a large problem in our society today. According to Illinois State Police, a woman in the United States is beaten every 15 seconds. Victims of domestic abuse sometimes feel that there is no hope for their situations, but that is not the case. Fortunately, there are ways to end the destructive cycle of domestic violence, the most effective being an Order of Protection.
