Free Initial Consultations
630-580-6373With offices in Naperville, Joliet, Wheaton, Plainfield & Chicago
630-580-6373630-580-6373
Divorce is a complex and often emotional legal process – one in which the assistance of an attorney is highly recommended. Unfortunately, with all the choices that are now available, consumers often struggle to find the one that is most suitable for their situation. Learn why finding the “right” attorney for your Illinois divorce is so important, and discover some tips that can help with the selection process.
Strive for Balance Between Quality and Cost
Of all the concerns that divorcing parties have, those relating to cost are the most common. Understandable as that might be, parties should be careful to not let cost rule their decision – especially since many “discount lawyers” and “divorce mills” have little regard for the outcome of your case. Instead, do your research and strive to balance quality of the cost. Also, if you are afraid that you cannot afford the attorney of your choosing, discuss your concerns with them. Some may be willing to do payment plans, and in some situations, parties may be entitled to support from their spouse to cover any applicable legal expenses.
Children can be especially prone to emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues during a divorce. Worse yet, there are studies that show divorce can have a lifelong impact on the overall well-being of a child – but that does not necessarily mean you should stay together. In fact, experts now believe that the ill effects that children suffer in divorce are more closely linked to the contention and stress that often accompany divorce, rather than the divorce itself.
What all this means is that parents can mitigate the damage that divorce can do to a child – especially if they know how to recognize the signs of extreme stress. Learn more, and discover what an experienced divorce lawyer can do to improve the outcome of divorce for your family.
Severe or Prolonged Behavior Changes
In the initial stages of divorce, behavioral changes are considered both normal and typically benign, but prolonged or severe changes can be an indication of something bigger. Depression, anxiety, and maladjustment problems are some of the most commonly seen issues in children going through a divorce, but other mental health problems could occur as well. Examples of such behaviors can include everything from extreme aggression and social isolation to bedwetting and separation anxiety, which can occur at almost any age. If you notice such signs in your child, talk to an experienced mental health professional about your family’s situation.
The decision to declare bankruptcy is not easy. Admittedly, the cessation of bill collection attempts looks more appealing each time the phone rings, however, filing for bankruptcy has considerable secondary repercussions. Qualification standards and long-term effects may influence your decision when determining if Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the best solution for your situation.
What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is often referred to as “liquidation bankruptcy”. It is a relatively quick process, typically completed between four and six months. Brevity appeals to a significant portion of the population, as does the discharge of unsecured debts. Discharge means credit cards, personal loans, and other unsecured debts become permanently unenforceable, never needing repayment. The downside is that you will need to sell many of your non-exempt assets; hence, the name, liquidation bankruptcy.
What Are the Long-Term Effects?
Stalking may not be an issue in all divorces, but it is common in marriages that have an element of abuse or violence. Thanks to technology and digital tools, stalkers also have more ways to track their spouses during and after a divorce. If you are leaving an abusive or dangerous marriage, learn more about the tactics that may be used to track you during your divorce, and discover how an experienced attorney can help protect you from a violent spouse.
GPS Tracking and Your Rights
Whether you are aware of it or not, your phone and the applications on it can track your location. Yet, even without a cell phone (or one in which the GPS function had been disabled), abusive spouses have a workaround. Miniature GPS tracking devices – some no larger than a button battery – can be installed in purses, on vehicles, and even jackets or other clothing items.
Most uses of trackers are illegal, and you may be able to press charges on a spouse that is attempting to track your location using a GPS monitoring device. However, there may be some limitations. As an example, consider the use of a GPS device on a vehicle that is financed under both yours and your spouse’s name; their joint ownership of the vehicle could (in the eyes of the law) validate their right to track its location. Because of this, victims are encouraged to avoid using any item that their spouse may have the right to track. If you suspect that you are still being tracked, speak to your attorney and contact law enforcement about your concerns.
Parenting changed the moment the first in vitro fertilization baby was born back. One would think that, since then, the law would manage to sort out what happens to a fertilized embryo if the prospective parents should ever divorce. Yet, as many couples learn, this is not the case. In fact, in the last 25 years, little progress has been made regarding the rights of each divorcing individual to either procreate or not procreate – but that could all soon change.
In a case that is set to be heard by the high courts in Colorado, an individual’s Constitutional right to procreate or not, and whether one outweighs the other person’s, will finally be ruled upon. Learn more about how and why this upcoming case is different than the previous IVF divorce cases, discover what the court’s potential decision could mean for your case, and gain insight as to how an experienced divorce lawyer can help improve the outcome of your situation.
With more than 1.3 million employees nationwide, Walmart is America’s largest employer. In the past, it has been criticized for its lack of benefits, but the company has started to respond to the concerns, needs, and desires of its employees. Raising its hourly wage to $11 an hour was just a start; they have also added more benefits for parents – including those who are considering adoption. Learn more, including how an experienced attorney can help you successfully navigate your way through the complex and nuanced process of adoption.
Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
Although some Walmart employees may be covered for maternity or paternity leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), their time away from work under this program is unpaid. To obtain compensation, new parents would have to request maternity or paternity leave. Starting in February, the company will extend the amount of time that parents can request – going from eight weeks of paid maternity leave to ten and two weeks of paternity leave to six. It is not clear if the company will continue to compensate full-time employees at a half-time rate when the changes go into effect, or if they will be able to also receive the full compensation benefit as salaried employees.
Although divorce can negatively impact all involved parties, children tend to be the most vulnerable. In fact, studies have shown that children may experience behavioral, mental, and emotional issues during a divorce, and some of those effects can carry on into adulthood. Thankfully, parents can mitigate the potential damage with compassion, empathy, and few tried and true tips for helping children cope. Learn more about them, and discover how an experienced divorce attorney can improve the outcome for you and your child during an Illinois divorce.
Be Empathetic to Your Child’s Position and Feelings
Part of the reason that children struggle so much with divorce is that they are powerless in the situation. They have no choice; they can only cope and eventually accept. To complicate matters even further, children rarely have any advance knowledge that divorce is on the horizon, so the news may leave them feeling like their entire life has fallen apart, and all in a matter of moments. Also, because children may not have a clear understanding of divorce, they may think that they can “fix” the issue, or they may blame themselves. Some also fear that their relationships with one or both parents may suffer, or they may be afraid of the changes. Be empathetic to their position and feelings, and do your best to comfort them when it is needed. Be clear but empathetic about how life will change.
Bankruptcy is designed as a way of helping honest people who are struggling to pay their debts. It can give you a fresh start at managing your budget and spending while allowing you to get established on a more secure footing. The details involved in each individual case are unique, but there are certain types of situations in which filing for bankruptcy makes the most sense.
When to Consider Bankruptcy
There are a number of common scenarios in which bankruptcy may be the best available option. These include:
1. When you are a small business owner and overwhelmed with debt. Starting, promoting, and maintaining a business requires both time and money. When outstanding debts threaten your ability to operate, filing for bankruptcy can provide the relief you need, and may even help keep you from going under.
2. When dealing with a job loss. Even those who work for large, secure employers can find themselves facing sudden layoffs and other types of job losses. Bankruptcy can help protect you from creditor harassment and alleviate debts, providing some much-needed relief while you look for a new job.
Divorce can be an emotionally trying process, full of sadness, anger, and regret. Unfortunately, letting those feelings run the proceedings can cause serious issues for everyone involved. Learn how reducing the level of contention in your Illinois divorce can mitigate against such issues, and discover how an experienced divorce lawyer can assist you through the complex legal process.
Understanding the Potential Implications of a Contentious Divorce
Contentious in divorce can drive up your stress levels, which can increase the odds of you experiencing health issues during the proceedings and long after. For example, studies have indicated that extreme stress in divorce may increase one’s risk of developing depression and heart-related health conditions. The extended amount of time that it typically takes to complete a contentious divorce can further increase the risk of such complications.
Another major concern in contentious divorces is the cost; arguments during negotiations can rack up legal fees, appeals in court add to the fees, and certain assets or debts may cause issues for either of the parties during the proceedings. These are not the only ways that a contentious divorce may cost you, however; high-contention divorces often lead to vengeful spouses that attempt to hide money or run up debts under your name.
Divorce, in and of itself, does not typically cause credit issues, but events and situations that arise during the proceedings could negatively impact your credit. Thankfully, divorcing parties can mitigate against potential credit problems that may occur during and after their divorce proceedings. Learn how, and discover what an experienced divorce attorney can do to improve the overall outcome of your case.
You May Need to Refinance the Family Home
If you and your spouse have agreed that you will keep the family home and that it should be only in your name, you will likely need to refinance. On the one hand, refinancing removes your spouse, which takes away any rights they might have otherwise had to the home. On the other, it typically requires a hard hit to your credit report, which can decrease your score. It may also result in a higher debt-to-income ratio for you. Consider carefully whether these issues are worth keeping the home over, or if it might be more prudent to sell the house and split the settlement.
2224 W. Ferry Road, Unit 113, | |
1776 S. Naperville Road, Building A, Suite 105, | |
321 N. Clark Street, Suite 900, | |
58 N. Chicago Street, Suite 102, | |
2407 West Lockport Street, Suite 201-H, |
The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
I have read and understand the Disclaimer and Privacy Policy.
