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Child Relocation Issues in Illinois Divorces
The Illinois Policy Institute reported earlier this year that Illinois had the most state residents moving to other states in 2021, with Chicago also having the most people moving out of any metropolitan area in the United States. The news marked eight straight years of population declines for Illinois, and there seems to be no avoiding the likelihood that more and more Illinois divorces now seem to be more and more likely to involve an out-of-state child relocation.
When one parent will remain in Illinois but the other parent is heading for a better climate elsewhere, the decision to move can have major implications on child custody determinations. Parents need to retain appropriate visiting time with children despite these moves.
How Relocation Works in Illinois
A custodial parent or parent who shares equal parenting time must notify both the other parent and the court when they plan to move, and written notice must be provided at least 60 days before the date of a move. The notice must contain the new address the person will be living at, the date they will begin living there, and whether the move plans to be temporary.
Alternative Dispute Resolution in Illinois Divorces
Litigation in any divorce case can be an expensive and time-consuming process that most spouses want to avoid, but there are issues that may not be resolvable and require court intervention. Any person who is dealing with a particularly contentious divorce will want to be sure to contact a Rolling Meadows divorce attorney as soon as possible for help exploring all options for dispute resolution.
It is not uncommon for judges in some cases to order couples to seek alternative dispute resolution in their case, and the three forms of alternative dispute resolution used to resolve divorces in Illinois include arbitration, collaborative divorce, and mediation. There are major differences between all three of these models, so you should not assume one method is the same as the others.
Types of Alternative Dispute Resolution
Arbitration is essentially a mini-trial presided over by a third party known as an arbitrator who hears evidence and renders a judgment. An arbitration decision can be final and binding, so it does not offer much flexibility.
Illinois Child Custody Laws in 2022
When a couple is in the midst of a divorce, child custody can be one of the most contentious issues between the spouses as both parents will usually be seeking as much time as possible with their children. One of the first things to understand about major changes to Illinois child custody laws is that the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act no longer refers to the matter as “child custody,” but instead as parental responsibility and parenting time. Multiple factors go into court determinations in these types of cases.
Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities
As it relates to child custody in Illinois, parenting time means the amount of time and the schedule during which parents can spend time with their children. Parental responsibilities is the decision making capability each parent will have when it comes to the health care, educational, and social, religious or extra curricular activities in a child’s life.
Financial Documents You May Need as Evidence in Your Divorce Case
As with any other type of contested case, your divorce proceedings are likely to involve quite a bit of evidence. If you proceed to divorce litigation, it is likely that you and your spouse are unable to reach an agreement - and may not agree on certain facts. For this reason, strong evidence is needed to back up any legally relevant assertions your attorney makes in the course of litigation. When it comes time to allocate marital assets and debts, it can be challenging to make determinations about who should keep what. Spouses may disagree about whose responsibility a debt is, or who brought a certain asset into the marriage. There may be disputes over what is marital as opposed to separate property. It is wise to begin gathering financial documents like bank records if there is any possibility of your case going to court. Strong evidence is often the key to a fair allocation of marital property. Our attorneys can offer you more particular guidance about what types of evidence may be needed in your case.
Protecting a Child With Temporary Orders During a Divorce
For many parents, ensuring that their child will be protected is of the highest priority during a divorce action. Children generally cannot act in their own self-interest from a legal perspective. Minor children have little say during divorce proceedings. Depending on their age and maturity level, their preferred custody arrangement may or may not be respected. In most cases, they cannot take legal steps to protect their interests. It is almost always up to the parents to act in the child’s interest and to protect them while divorce proceedings are pending.
Parents may be able to obtain certain types of temporary relief that could help safeguard their child’s financial security and safety until a finalized divorce decree can be achieved. If you have concerns about protecting a minor child while your divorce action is in the courts, an attorney may be able to help you secure temporary orders to guard your child’s interests and minimize the short-term effects of divorce on them.
Steps to Take Before Divorce Resolution Talks Begin
A large percentage of spouses getting divorced in the modern era do not turn to a court to decide each issue in their case, but rather, arrive at a mutually agreeable settlement on their own through alternative dispute resolution techniques, such as mediation and attorney-facilitated negotiation. These techniques can save both parties substantial time, stress, and money when used properly. Avoiding a need to litigate your divorce can prevent the diminution of the marital asset by sparing expenses associated with gathering evidence and proceeding through a trial. However, it is important that you take certain steps to protect your interests before beginning the dispute-resolution process. A lack of preparation can interfere with your ability to strike a fair bargain and influence the ultimate outcome of your divorce. A qualified divorce attorney can assess your case and offer you advice particular to your unique situation, as the preparation needed for divorce mediation or negotiation can vary based on the specific issues of your divorce.
Strategies for Effective Divorce Mediation
Divorce mediation is a form of collaborative divorce, in which the spouses reach an agreement on each divorce issue without judicial intervention. The need for courtroom proceedings is eliminated if an agreement can be reached. Avoiding hearings can save time and emotional energy that many would prefer to devote to adapting to a new way of life, or sharing time with their children. Those whose relationship with their spouse is more contentious may worry that mediation or negotiation will be ineffective or anticipate heated arguments. However, collaborative divorce methods may be employed without any need to bring the spouses together in person. This can eliminate tension and promote the exercise of reason. If you are preparing for a collaborative divorce, strategizing with the assistance of an attorney before the commencement of negotiations would be wise.
Using Mediation or Negotiation Effectively
It can be helpful to approach a collaborative divorce with a business-like perspective. The goal is not to resolve the issues that led to the end of the marriage, but to determine how property and parental responsibilities are to be allocated. Strategies you may find useful include:
3 Divorce Tips for Parents of Teenagers
Much of the advice you can find online for parents who are getting divorced tends to pertain to younger children. As parents with teenagers know, what works in parenting a young child is very different from what works in parenting a high school student. Teenagers may be affected by divorce in different ways compared to an elementary school-aged child. While there are some similarities in the ways that younger children and teenagers may react–for example, both may “act out” and get in trouble–these reactions generally cannot be addressed in identical fashions. While a young child may not need to be told why the divorce is happening, a teenager has likely already noticed the problems. It can be complicated for parents who have both teenage children and younger children to manage both children’s emotional needs in an age-appropriate fashion. An attorney may be able to advise you on when and how a teenager should become involved in any legal proceedings.
Divorce Tips When Your Spouse is Dangerous
Nothing is ever more important than the safety of you and your children. When your divorce represents a greater effort to be free of a harmful person who puts you or the kids in danger, there is much more to your case than splitting up marital assets. It may feel like more of a dramatic escape than a civil proceeding. In fact, there may be nothing civil at all about your divorce except for the court it is filed in. A number of different issues can make your spouse dangerous, rather than simply unpleasant or obnoxious. If your spouse has been abusive, is severely mentally ill or a drug addict, or is engaged in criminal activity that could endanger your entire family, it is time to get out right now. Law Offices of Donald J. Cosley is skilled at working with those whose marriage has become unsafe in order to effectuate a divorce as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
Considerations for Leaving an Unsafe Marriage
You likely already know this simply by virtue of having been married to your spouse, but divorcing a dangerous individual is not easy. Many times, the dangerous spouse will fight back, refusing to let go no matter how clear you have made it that the marriage is over and the divorce is happening. Some tips that you may want to consider during this difficult time include:
Divorcing Spouses May Hide, Transfer, or Undervalue Assets During Divorce
A crucial aspect of divorce is financial disclosure. Spouses must list their assets, income sources, and debts. This allows the court to divide property fairly and determine child support and spousal support payments. Unfortunately, some divorcing spouses attempt to hide assets, transfer ownership of property to others, or undervalue their assets in an effort to keep more money for themselves. Some only report part of their income in hopes that they will pay less child support or spousal maintenance. This is unlawful.
If you are going through a divorce, it is important to be vigilant for signs of financial deception. Whether your divorce is resolved through a negotiated settlement or the courts, the outcome should be based on factual financial information.
Ways Spouses Conceal Assets and Income During Divorce
There are many ways that divorcing spouses try to conceal assets and income. Some common methods include:
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