By Martindale Hubbell for Law Offices of Paul Chatzky | Published May 15, 2020 | Posted in Divorce, Family Law | Tagged Tags: commingled funds, equitable distribution, marital property, nonmarital property, separate property | Comments Off on Illinois Property Division: Marital vs. Nonmarital Property
Illinois Property Division: Marital vs. Nonmarital Property
Property division is often one of the most contentious issues in divorce, after child custody. The property that was part of your married life is more than just “stuff.” Most people have emotional attachments to these items and things to consider beyond pure monetary value. Even so, the value is still important, because both parties Read More
Read MoreHow the 2019 Illinois Spousal Maintenance Law Affects Divorcing Couples
The federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated the tax deduction for people paying spousal maintenance, or alimony, while exempting recipients from having to include those payments as taxable income. Many states, including Illinois, reacted to this substantial change by passing revised spousal maintenance legislation. The revised Illinois law made a number of Read More
Read MoreWho Gets Religious Custody?
Among the many issues that come between divorced parents, none causes more passionate argument than religion. Disputes between former marriage partners fighting over the right to determine their child’s religion are flooding the media. One Chicago family’s custody battle made headlines in 2011 when the mother, who is Jewish, sued the father, who is Catholic, Read More
Read MoreShould I Stay Married for the Sake of the Kids?
The decision to leave a marriage is one that most people do not take lightly — and even less so when children are involved. Children deeply desire to see their parents happily married and living together. That is not to say that parents who are not happily married should maintain a façade for their children’s Read More
Read MorePreparing for Your First Meeting with a Divorce Lawyer
In the United States, more than 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Unfortunately, Illinois is no exception. In 2011, there were more than 33,000 divorces and annulments statewide. If you are facing a divorce, a divorce lawyer can help you through the process. Before the initial meeting with your divorce lawyer, prepare the following: Read More
Read MoreVisitation Rights for Grandparents are Still Evolving in Illinois
Before 2005, Illinois grandparents could not obtain a court order authorizing visitation with their grandchildren. From 2005 to 2007, the Illinois Legislature enacted a string of amendments to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act addressing grandparent visitation. The evolving law in Illinois exhibits lawmakers’ recognition of the important role that grandparents can play Read More
Read MoreHow Does a Premarital Agreement Work?
A premarital agreement may not be the most romantic concept, but it’s an important step in ensuring your financial health in the event of a divorce. In Illinois, a premarital agreement is an agreement between future spouses made in contemplation of marriage. The agreement goes into effect when the marriage begins. It must be in Read More
Read MoreIllinois Hearsay Law and the Drew Peterson Case
Retired Bolingbrook police officer, Drew Peterson, was going through a rough divorce with his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Peterson may have feared that a pending settlement would result in his financial ruin. On March 1, 2004, a neighbor found Savio’s lifeless, bloody body in the bathtub. Initially, police ruled Savio’s death an accident. However, after Read More
Read MoreProposed Overhaul of Illinois Family Law
Change is on the horizon for Illinois family law. In the latter half of 2012, the bipartisan Illinois Family Law Study Committee proposed major reforms to the statutes concerning divorce and child custody. There are hundreds of proposed amendments that could be passed early this year, and here’s a bit of what you need to Read More
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Born in Havana, Cuba, Paul Chatzky is fluent in Spanish and English, enabling him to effectively represent a wider range of individuals and families. He is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and is listed among Illinois Super Lawyers, which is a reflection of his high ethical standards and exceptional legal knowledge. As a…
Prior to joining the firm as a paralegal, Debbie was employed by major banking institutions as a loan processor and as an executive secretary. Debbie was also employed as an administrative assistant for the Board of Jewish Education. Having majored in Sociology, Debbie graduated from the University of Florida in 1980. Debbie completed her studies…
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Mr. Chatzky is truly superb at his job. His knowledge base is profound, and he approached my situation with honesty and integrity. I knew immediately that he had every intention to obtain the best outcome for me and that he had thought of every possi...
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Paul Chatzky is always very responsive, professional, and a pleasure to work with.
