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If you are considering divorce, you may have several concerns regarding the process, including the prospect of hiring a divorce attorney. Some may be tempted to attempt the process without representation. However, doing so may prove to have several drawbacks and will likely affect the outcome of your case.
Drawbacks and Dangers
Divorce usually involves a large amount of legal documents and complicated paperwork that needs to be read and sorted through. The task can not only be an unpleasant one, but also one that not everyone is qualified to handle. At the outset, a divorce case may seem straightforward, but things can very easily take a wrong turn and become much more involved, leaving the unrepresented in way over their heads. Those parties who choose not to hire an attorney can also cause the whole process of divorce to move much slower than it otherwise would, frustrating the judge and other parties involved.
Whether you are a parent or an adult child interested in beginning a conversation about getting affairs in order, the prospect of discussing your loved one’s death can be intimidating. However, once the participants get over the initial discomfort, having an open discussion about estate planning matters can prove highly beneficial. Here are some tips to open the lines of communication.
Having a Conversation
It is important to have honest yet sensitive communication among close family regarding estate planning. Doing so will help make sure that expectations and feelings about certain responsibilities or obligations designated by the documents are shared with one another.
For example, perhaps the one intended to serve as trustee to an estate is not comfortable doing so. Knowing this in advance, the testator can make the necessary provisions. It also gives beneficiaries the opportunity to understand the testator’s intentions with their estate. Clear communication in advance will help to ensure proper distribution of assets as well as clear up any confusion or conflict in the future. Communication can also aid in the decision making process regarding specific issues that truly reflect the testator’s wishes.
Domestic violence is a serious issue that plagues many more people than some realize. When a person thinks about domestic violence, it is usually within the context of a romantic relationship, but the legal definition expands beyond those terms. For those who are the victims of such violence, protection is available and can be legally enforced.
Domestic Violence
Although the majority of domestic violence cases likely occur between two people who are or were romantically involved, there are other situations that also give rise to domestic violence according to law, and they deserve attention as well. In order to have a request for an order of protection granted, the person must demonstrate that they are the victim of domestic violence. For this purpose, the law defines domestic violence as:
Child custody and support cases are often decided in conjunction with a divorce case. Others are heard on their own, either because the parents never married, or because the issue of custody was not originally addressed when the couple divorced. Regardless of the circumstances of how the case came to be in the court, all child custody cases involve the same rules of law.
First Things First
In order to hear a child custody case, the court must have jurisdiction to do so. This means that the court must be legally allowed to make decisions pertaining to the parties involved in a case. This may be an issue particularly for parents who live in different states. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) puts forth the rules to follow on this issue. In the state of Illinois, a court can hear a child custody case if:
Gwyneth Paltrow has been making headlines lately, and the stories do not necessarily cast the movie star in a positive light. She’s been known to make out-of-touch comments in the past, and recent events have been no exception. One remark alluded to the fact that “regular” moms who work 9-to-5 jobs have a more manageable schedule than film stars, who often have to work 14-hour days for a few weeks in a row. The backlash from women across the country was palpable immediately following the interview. The other communication that earned Paltrow notoriety in the press was her announcement recently that she and her husband have decided to part ways by what she described as a “conscious uncoupling.”
Changing the Concept of Divorce
There are few challenges in life more difficult than divorce. It is certainly a hassle to gain a legal end to your marriage and determine how to divide important family assets, such as the family home. Often the biggest challenge in a divorce though is figuring out the custody arrangements of children. Such a process can be fraught with complications and emotions.
Who is the Primary Caregiver? - The court will look to see who is the primary caregiver of the child. This is the person who provides the child with food, takes them to school, purchases their clothes, and performs other necessary duties.
Divorce is a painful process--legally, financially, and emotionally. Considering the immense strain placed on involved partners, it is important to consider some tips for coping with the pressures of divorce.
Raising a disabled child, particularly one who has psychological or intellectual disabilities can be a difficult and trying experience. As your child approaches his/her 18th birthday, there are a number of things to consider. In most states, the responsibilities of a young adult are assigned when a youth turns 18. Assuming guardianship of your child may be the best option to help you protect your child as they enter adulthood.
Under Illinois state law, there are two types of guardianship that you may consider. The first of these is limited guardianship. This type of guardianship is used when the disabled person can make some, but not all, decisions pertaining to themselves and their finances or estate. When assuming limited guardianship, the powers granted to you must be specifically listed within the court order. This type of guardianship can grant you limited guardianship of the person, finances/estate, or both. The second type of guardianship is plenary guardianship. This type of guardianship is more restrictive than the first, and is used when the “individual’s mental, physical, and adaptive limitations” make it necessary for the guardian to make all important decisions regarding personal care and finances. There is one other option that you need to consider: testamentary guardianship. This is used by parents of a disabled child to designate a guardian upon the death of both parents in your will. While the final guardian will still need to be appointed and approved by the court, this ensures that the courts will take your wishes for guardianship into account before making their decision. It is important to remember that should your proposed guardian be found inappropriate, the court will still have the power to appoint someone else. Knowing which type of guardianship to consider and what steps are necessary to assume guardianship can be difficult. Having a qualified family law attorney can help make the process smoother for your family. Contact the experienced family law attorneys at Davi Law Group, LLC today for a consultation on your case.
A new theory is being tested to curb the divorce rate among newly married couples. In light of the statistic saying almost half of married couples divorce in the first four to five years, many professionals are asking what can be done to improve that number. A recent article suggests that the answer may be easier than one may think.
Watching Movies
One researcher is exploring the possibility that a task as simple as watching a movie with your spouse may curb your chances of divorcing. He has been asking couples to watch five movies per month that have a theme of exploring relationships and then discuss the movies with each other. The idea is to strengthen marriages while couples are happy with the relationship, which, ideally, would improve the odds against getting a divorce. The model suggested offers couples the opportunity to essentially participate in a form of therapy on their own, while also taking part in an activity they would otherwise find enjoyable.
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