Several years ago, Illinois became only the second state to recognize pets as more than mere pieces of property to be divided in divorce. State lawmakers amended the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to say that judges are required to consider what’s...
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When is it possible to adopt stepchildren?
Adoption is a beautiful way to grow an Illinois family, yet it can be a legally complicated and frustrating process. This is also true for stepparents who are looking to adopt the biological children of their partner. If you are a stepparent, you may want to explore...
Relocating may be difficult with a custody order
Following your divorce, you likely went through a period of adjustment as you and your ex worked through the allocation of parental responsibility in your court order or child custody settlement. Whether this happened years ago or fairly recently, your primary concern...
Creating a parenting plan as kids start back to school
As the school year gets underway, you may have new concerns for yourself and your children because of your recent divorce. Now, you will need to create a schedule that not only accommodates your kids' activities but that also stays in line with the child custody...
How does an Illinois judge approach property division?
When you decided to end your marriage, you probably went through many emotions, including panic and fear. You want to know how you will get on financially after the divorce.Whether you face a courtroom battle or come to an agreement without the help of a judge, it...
Not every marriage can be fixed
It is natural to feel a sense of loss when your marriage ends. You may reflect fondly on your wedding day or feel that you were naïve to believe it could last forever. Hopefully, you have some positive memories to take with you into your new life, and...
Making shared custody a positive experience
Whether you and your former spouse cooperated to reach a balance of parental responsibility during your divorce or a court recently issued a joint child custody order, you may not have felt the burden of this arrangement more painfully than now as the holidays...
Working well with your ex for the sake of the children
Like many parents in Illinois, if you and your spouse are planning to divorce, your primary concern is making the transition as easy as possible for your children. You may be surprised to learn that, despite your differences, it is possible for you and your spouse to...
Establishing paternity could be important to you as a father
Family law matters are complex, especially those that pertain to your relationship with your children. As an Illinois father, it is beneficial to understand how to protect your role, and it may be beneficial to understand how establishing paternity can help you do...