By Martindale Hubbell for Law Offices of Paul Chatzky | Published October 15, 2021 | Posted in Divorce | Tagged Tags: divorce, divorce decree, settlement | Comments Off on Tips for Achieving a Positive Divorce Settlement
A settlement agreement is often the best way to resolve a divorce proceeding efficiently and with minimal conflict. Unfortunately, when people are going through this trying time in their lives, coming to terms on a divorce settlement can be challenging. However, divorces that are contested and require litigation are generally much more costly, lengthy and Read More
Read MoreIn Illinois, a family court may award spousal support — also known as maintenance — in any proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, declaration of invalidity of marriage or dissolution of a civil union. The court can determine that spousal support is justified based on either spouse’s financial need, without considering any marital misconduct Read More
Read MorePaternity of a child can be a contested issue in family court. Proving paternity is sometimes essential for a mother enforcing her right to child support or for a father seeking custody or visitation. The legal process of establishing a child’s paternity in Illinois can be simple or complex, depending largely on the cooperativeness of Read More
Read MoreSince 2016, Illinois law has used the term “parenting time” to define what was once called physical custody and visitation. In a divorce proceeding, a court will allocate parenting time between the former spouses, either by developing a parenting plan or by approving one agreed to by the parties. The overriding consideration guiding the family Read More
Read MoreIllinois has made a significant change in how child support is calculated in divorce proceedings. Formerly, one parent would be obligated to pay a percentage of his or her net income based on the number of children being supported. Now, in recognition of the fact that both parents have a duty to support their children, Read More
Read MoreWhen parents get divorced, they have to make arrangements not only for where their children will live, but also for how they will be raised. Who will make decisions about their education, religious training, health care, cultural exposure and social activities? In Illinois, this authority — formerly known as legal custody — is now called Read More
Read MoreThere are many reasons why a child custody order may need to be modified. A parent might get a new job in a different town, become injured or suffer emotional trauma. Or a parent might be violating the current parenting time arrangement. Whatever the reason, there are situations in which when one or both parents Read More
Read MoreWhen parents split up, both of them may seek, and receive, physical custody of their children. Ideally, parents reach an out-of-court agreement regarding custody, but when they can’t, a family court judge will step in. When a judge gets involved, preference often goes to the parent who is the child’s primary caretaker. The issue, then, Read More
Read MoreWe would all like to believe that our soon-to-be ex-spouses, for all their faults, will be honest during divorce, but that is often not the case, especially where money is involved. After all, dishonesty in one form or another might be the reason your marriage is ending. As you head into the divorce process, be Read More
Read MoreFor most couples, the marital home is their largest and most valuable asset. Beyond your home’s monetary value, it is the center of family life, a place where kids were raised and special occasions were celebrated. When a couple gets divorced, what happens to the house they once shared is a concern for both parties, Read More
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