Recent Blog Posts
Finding Middle Ground: The Debate Over Same-Sex Marriage Laws
In November 2013, the Illinois House of Representatives approved same-sex marriage legislation by a narrow vote of 61 to 54 with the Illinois Senate following suit with a vote of 32 to 51. As Governor Pat Quinn placed pen to paper, Illinois became the 16th state to recognize same sex marriage effective June 1, 2014.
For the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, this has been a welcomed victory, but one Illinois business owner will not join in the celebration.
According to a recent article by the Huffington Post, Jim Walder, owner of the TimberCreek Bed and Breakfast located near Paxton, Illinois strongly stated he will not be advertising destination wedding packages to the members of the LGBT community.
Walder who identifies himself as a Christian has not been shy when speaking out against same-sex marriage. In 2011, Todd and Mark Wathen filed a civil complaint against Walder and TimberCreek after Walden refused to host a civil union ceremony at the bed and breakfast. The outcome of the civil case is still pending.
Divorce, Delinquency and an Experienced Illinois Family Law Attorney
Today's pace wreaks havoc on our already overloaded schedules. We work, we shop, we cook, we carpool, we do homework, we do housework, we shuttle our kids to sport practices we do, we do, the list goes on and on and on.
We rely on the trusty refrigerator calendar to keep track of every appointment. We do our best to keep close tabs on our children, especially our teenagers. This can be especially difficult if we're co-parenting after a divorce.
For those families residing in Illinois, juvenile curfew laws remain on the books. The Illinois Child Curfew Act (720 ILCS 555) mandates that any juvenile (17 years and under) must return to their residence before the end of the specified curfew hour. Reinforce with your teen that taking a slight detour or briefly stopping by a friend's house is an excuse that probably will not satisfy the local authorities. The Act further states that once the juvenile returns home they must remain at their residence until the end of the specified curfew. Sneaking out the bedroom window for a rendezvous with friends is not a viable option.Preparing for the Main Event: Tips for Hiring an Illinois Divorce Attorney
It is over. You and your spouse have decided to throw in the towel. At this point you have both realized that your marriage is on the ropes and soon to be down for the count. As you are lacing up your gloves in anticipation, it is time to retain an experienced trainer, in this case, an experienced Illinois divorce attorney. Lets get ready to rumble…
Do your homework. Investigate the internet, check with friends and even contact your local bar association for referrals.
You are seeking a service and it is quite common to openly discuss fee schedules up front to ward off any surprises. Attorney fees can realistically range anywhere from $100 to over $500 per hour. The outcome of your divorce will define your future. Choosing an attorney based on cost alone is not the best strategy.How to Choose the Right Divorce Attorney for You
Although all of us hope for our “happily ever after,” it cannot be ignored that many marriages end in divorce. If you and your spouse have decided that you must, unfortunately, file for divorce, it is important to take the time to search for the best divorce attorney for you and your family to assist you with the process.
It is a wise idea to research each of these candidates, as well as conduct interviews with each-if you feel an interview is necessary. Talk to friends who have recently gone through the divorce process to see if they have any recommendations, or if they can give you a couple of names you should avoid at all costs. While getting started with your search, take a look at ratings, fees, years in practice, etc.
The Science of Marital Compromise: Tips for Avoiding Marital Discord
All relationships take work and your marriage is likely one of the most important relationships in your life. So important that you should not expect it to coast on autopilot for the next 40 or 50 years believing that all will be fine as you approach your marital golden years.
The Institute offers in-depth counseling and training rooted in scientific research to enhance communication between couples. The Gottman’s strongly believe that if communication breaks down, couples may find themselves contacting an experienced divorce attorney.
Illinois Adoption: Opening Your Home and Heart to An Older Child
According to babycenter.com, approximately 10 percent of all couples in the United States have difficulty conceiving. Research reports that women and men equally share the burden of infertility at 30 percent respectfully. The remaining 40 percent of fertility issues are unexplainable or a combination of multiple factors involving both partners.
Escaping Domestic Abuse
It’s an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but domestic violence is all around us, and happens more frequently than we would like to think. Domestic violence or abuse exists in all races, age groups, socioeconomic groups, and genders. However, there are ways to escape domestic abuse and find safety.
It’s important to note that getting out of an abusive relationship is not always easy. Both the hope that things will eventually work out and the fear of what the partner will do if the victim tries to leave can be difficult to overcome. Many people in abusive relationships feel trapped and helpless, but there are many resources available to help.
If you do decide to leave your abusive partner, there are a few things you want to make sure to take with you, including, but not limited to, the following:
Breaking the News of Divorce to the Kids
You and your spouse have just officially agreed on getting a divorce, now comes the time to plan how you will break the news to your children. Divorce on its own is scary and overwhelming, and that is only magnified by throwing kids into the mix. However, if you prepare efficiently, sitting down and having “the talk” with your kids can go smoothly.
Before sitting down with your kids, don’t be afraid to consult with a child or family therapist for advice on what to say and how to say it. Helping children of divorce can be challenging Sit down with your spouse and write out a script for the conversation you will have with the kids-this will make giving the actual talk much less intimidating. Choose a specific time and place to sit down and break the news-you do not want friends or relatives to be present, and you do not want the talk to conflict with important dates (for example, the night before a big test).
The Importance of a Business Valuation and an Experienced Family Law Attorney
Ten years into the marriage, your spouse comes to you tired and cranky and declares that he wants to start his own business. You know you look surprised on the exterior but on the interior your stomach is doing somersaults.
He explains that he is tired of working for someone else and padding the pockets of an unappreciative tyrant. He knows he can be successful in his own adaptation of his career choice. Trying not to hyperventilate you squash your feelings of nausea and try to smile supportively.
He continues to verbalize his business plan while you calculate the monthly budget and balance of each child's college fund in your swirling mind. What were those vows, for better or worse?
You force a smile, provide encouragement and mumble, “ok, partner, let's go for it!”
According to a recent article in Forbes Reinventing America series, employees are now becoming the employers or members of the 1099 society. An increase of 14 percent since 2001.
Divorce and Minor Children: Illinois Statute for Requesting an Out of State Change of Address
The divorce has been finalized, marital assets distributed, continual support negotiated and custody and visitation terms reached. You have adjusted. You may find yourself at ease and looking forward to writing the next chapter. Perhaps you are even considering a change of scenery to turn over a new leaf.
For those residing in Illinois, Section 609(a) of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5), requires petitioning the court for any modification of the original terms of a custody agreement.
While you believe a fresh start will benefit you and the kids, your ex-spouse still retains his or her legal rights when it comes to a new zip code. As the petitioner, you should be aware that:
