Posted on June 22, 2025 in Child Custody

If you share custody of your child, planning a vacation is not always simple. Under Illinois law, there are specific rules about when you can travel with your child and what permissions are required. A Rolling Meadows, IL parental responsibilities lawyer can help ensure you stay in compliance with the law and your parenting agreement to avoid legal issues.

When Can I Travel With My Child?

In general, you are permitted to take your child on vacation during your assigned parenting time unless the parenting plan says otherwise. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act governs the allocation of parenting time and the ability to make day-to-day decisions about your children under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, and most parental agreements address vacations, restricting them to your scheduled parenting time. However, problems can arise when:

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 Posted on June 17, 2025 in Divorce

Navigating divorce while you are still actively posting on social media can be tricky. A seemingly innocent photo or status update can quickly turn into evidence. Staying acutely aware of your digital footprint is becoming increasingly important during the divorce process, and a Rolling Meadows, IL divorce attorney can help you manage your social media presence to protect your interests. No one wants unnecessary conflict in an already high-stress situation.

Why Does Social Media Matter During the Divorce Process?

During a litigated divorce, the court allows both parties to bring evidence in support of their claims. This means that discoverable information relevant to your relationship and divorce proceedings can be used, including all your activity on social media. Direct messages, images, posts, and location stamps can be used to support claims regarding your spending habits, mental state, and parenting style. For example, if you are in the middle of a dispute over spousal maintenance, but you post photos of yourself on vacation, that could raise questions about how transparent you have been with your finances.

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 Posted on June 10, 2025 in Prenuptial Agreements

Disputes are not uncommon for Illinois couples in high-asset divorces. You may argue over the characterization of marital property and how that property will be divided. However, if you have a solid prenuptial agreement in place, it should address many issues and help simplify the complex property division process.

If you are a high-net-worth individual who is about to be married or is on the verge of divorce, talk to an experienced Rolling Meadows, IL prenuptial agreement attorney about the details of your situation to learn more about the legal options available to protect your property.

Characteristics of a High-Asset Divorce in Illinois

A high-asset divorce usually involves a complicated property division process due to the presence of accumulated wealth. Marital and separate assets may include multiple real estate properties, investment portfolios, businesses, luxury vehicles, and high salaries with performance bonuses. When both parties have substantial income and have been married for a significant amount of time, they often have a complex marital estate. Because of Illinois’s laws governing the distribution of marital property, the potential for losing a significant amount of the estate in a divorce is high.

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 Posted on May 28, 2025 in Division of Property

A key element of any divorce is drafting the terms of distribution of property, and part of that is the division of marital debt. While no definitive method for navigating the divorce process is perfect, there are key mistakes that you can avoid when dividing debt, and an experienced Rolling Meadows, IL debt division attorney can help you avoid these mistakes and make decisions that will benefit you in the short and long term. Consider some issues that may arise in your divorce and how you can handle them.

Not Accounting for All Debts in an Illinois Divorce

Part of the property division process is the full disclosure of assets and liabilities. A common issue is failing to account for every debt that could be characterized as marital property. To avoid this issue, carefully consider all debts, including but not limited to the following;

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 Posted on May 19, 2025 in Child Support

Illinois law states that the term "child" refers explicitly to anyone under 18 or still attending high school at 19 or younger. Does that mean that the termination of child support automatically occurs when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school? In many cases, the answer is yes, but exceptions exist. A Rolling Meadows, IL child support attorney can explain what situations will negate that rule and how the laws apply to their client’s circumstances.

What Does Illinois Law Say About the Termination of Child Support?

According to Illinois statute 750 ILCS 5/505(g), a child support order must include a termination date. It is typically on the child’s eighteenth birthday, unless they will turn 18 before graduating from high school. In that case, the termination date is listed as the day of their high school graduation. If they turn 19 while still in high school, child support terminates on their nineteenth birthday.

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 Posted on May 05, 2025 in Divorce

Sometimes, even when you know that it is time to separate, divorce can feel like a heavy leap that you may not be ready to take. Fortunately, legal separation is another viable option with many of the benefits of divorce but without the finality of it. Consider the difference between the two and how a Rolling Meadows, IL legal separation attorney may be able to help you move through the process more efficiently.

What Is a Legal Separation Under Illinois Law?

According to Illinois law, legal separation is a court order that officially recognizes two spouses as living financially and physically separate from one another. It is similar to divorce in many ways, but ultimately, you and your spouse will not be able to remarry under a legal separation. However, you can later choose to transition your separation into a divorce.

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 Posted on April 30, 2025 in Division of Property

The asset division process of divorce can get complicated, especially when you have a significant amount of property. Inheritance and gifts of value count as assets in Illinois, and the laws that govern them are specific. If you have questions about what will happen to your assets in a divorce, an Arlington Heights, IL divorce attorney can explain how Illinois family courts categorize separate and marital property and what situations can make the process more complex.

Are Gifts Considered Marital Property in Illinois?

In general, gifts belong to the person who received them, making them separate property. However, there are unique circumstances to consider, and ultimately, property characterization can change from case to case. For example, wedding gifts are typically characterized as marital property because they belong to both spouses. However, sometimes a wedding gift is specifically given to one spouse, which could make it separate property.

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 Posted on April 20, 2025 in Child Custody

Domestic violence affects Illinois families every day. Children, whether they suffer abuse or witness it at home, can experience long-lasting mental and emotional damage from living with domestic violence. If you have an abusive spouse or ex-spouse and want to know more about what you can do to protect your child, speak to an Arlington Heights, IL domestic violence attorney to learn about how domestic violence can influence the allocation of parental responsibilities.

What Is Considered Domestic Violence in Illinois?

According to Illinois law, domestic violence is defined as abuse, which includes harassment and intimidation, perpetrated by someone who shares an intimate relationship with the victim. Interfering with or wilfully depriving you of your personal freedom, such as kidnapping or illegal restraint, also qualifies. Examples of abuse that commonly occur in domestic relationships are:

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 Posted on April 07, 2025 in Child Custody

If you are facing significant changes in life or having issues with your child’s placement, it could be time to consider a modification of custody. You may need an adjustment for many reasons, but every situation is unique and requires a close look at the details. The court considers every circumstance when determining what is best for your child. Therefore, having a strong, supported argument before you file is crucial. If you have questions about how filing a petition may benefit you, an Arlington Heights, IL attorney may be able to guide you toward the correct choice for your family.

Why Might You Need To Change a Custody Order?

A "substantial change in circumstances" is a broad way to explain when you might need to modify custody, but some common examples of changes that may warrant modification include:

• One parent needs to relocate a significant distance away.

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 Posted on March 28, 2025 in Paternity

As many as 18.4 million children across the United States live without a biological father, stepfather, or adoptive father present in their homes. In the state of Illinois, about 41 percent of all babies are born to unwed mothers, totaling 54,022 births each year. Approximately 5,379 babies are born to unwed teenage mothers in Illinois.

In most cases, it is in a child’s best interests to have a relationship with both parents. However, there are instances when the mother may claim a child belongs to someone else, or the father refuses to believe a child is his. While paternity brings responsibilities, it must be established for the best interests of the child as well as the legal rights of the father.

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