When you start looking at assets and approaching a divorce, they’re going to fit into two main categories. First, you have marital assets that are owned jointly by both people and need to be divided. Secondly, you have separate assets that each person owns...
Property Division
Do you have to return the ring when a relationship ends?
Many people pay thousands of dollar, if not tens of thousands, for engagement rings and wedding rings. These are incredibly expensive investments and symbols of the couple's relationship as they move toward marriage. Some couples pick the rings out together, while...
Property division requires logical thinking
Every aspect of divorce can invoke an emotional response, but succumbing to those emotions can lead to you making decisions that aren’t in your best interests. The property division process is one of the prime examples of this. You’ll have to divide everything you...
How are assets divided when community property laws are absent?
When it comes to the division of property during a divorce, not all states follow the same rules. In states like Illinois, community property laws are not in effect. This means that the court doesn't split property 50/50 but determines the division of marital property...
Enforcing prenups during property division in an Illinois divorce
Divorce is already complex and emotional enough for separating couples. Add property division into the mix and it becomes an even more complicated and overwhelming process. Fortunately for some, the process can be significantly smoother when there is a prenuptial...
What happens to a co-owned business in an Illinois divorce?
Even if separating spouses are certain about their divorce, they may face the uncertainty of their respective financial futures. Not only will they have to adjust from having two sources of income to one, but they will also have to accept how the court divides and...
Dividing retirement accounts in an Illinois divorce
Property division in divorce can be complex, especially if it involves multiple properties, businesses and liabilities. In the initial property division process, the court must identify which properties are part of the marital assets. One of the usual inclusions for...
What you need to know about debts in your divorce
When you marry someone, you expect to share your life. Part of this includes your finances. Many couples have joint checking accounts and retirement savings. They live in a home together, purchase valuable items, and purchase insurance policies under their names. Upon...
3 issues that can invalidate your prenup in Illinois
These days, it is not uncommon for a couple to sign a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot. Done right, a prenuptial agreement can help couples separate private assets from marital assets in the event of a divorce. Unfortunately, many people learn that the...
Financial mistakes to avoid during your divorce
If you are in the midst of a divorce, you know your entire life is about to change. This is a transitional time that comes with big emotions and challenges. While your entire life will change, it’s important to pay close attention to your financial situation. ...