Posted on April 04, 2023 in Divorce

The end of a marriage is stressful and an emotional time for all parties involved, and legal matters add complexity to the process. There are two main ways to end a marriage legally in Illinois: an annulment or a divorce. There are significant differences between the two, both in terms of the legal requirements and consequences. Of course, you should always consult a Naperville divorce lawyer or a DuPage County family law attorney for legal guidance pertaining to your individual situation.

What Is an Annulment?

An annulment is a legal process that declares a marriage to be void or invalid. This means that in the eyes of the law, the marriage never existed, and it is erased from the legal system.

To get an annulment in Illinois, you or your attorney must prove that your marriage is invalid based on one of the following grounds:

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 Posted on March 30, 2023 in Domestic Violence

Stressful situations can make people act in ways they would regularly not act in. This is especially true in cases of divorce. However, while it can be rightfully assumed that the average person will be stressed and anxious during a divorce, there are ways to act that are entirely unacceptable, regardless of the situation. A great example of this is domestic violence. Domestic violence is abhorrent and can have severe physical and emotional repercussions.

If you want a divorce but feel threatened by the potential for domestic violence, it is crucial to act swiftly to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. Today, we will discuss how to address the threat of domestic violence during a divorce. To start, consult with a qualified family law attorney who will be able to guide you through the legal process of divorce.

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 Posted on March 22, 2023 in Child Custody

In Illinois, a parenting plan is a legal document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each parent after a divorce. However, as circumstances change, it may become necessary to modify the parenting plan to ensure that it continues to meet the children's and parents' needs. Today, we will discuss what situations may arise that call for modifying a parenting plan. For any matters related to changing your parenting plan or your divorce, feel free to contact a divorce attorney to ensure that you and your children's rights are protected throughout the process.

Signs Your Parenting Plan May Need to Be Revised

First, if one parent wants to relocate, this can significantly impact the parenting plan. Suppose the relocation makes it more difficult for the non-relocating parent to exercise their parenting time. In that case, a modification may be necessary to ensure that both parents continue to have a meaningful relationship with the children.

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 Posted on March 13, 2023 in Divorce

For a parent getting a divorce, it is natural to feel concerned regarding how the divorce will affect your children. Between the significant change in family dynamics and the cascade of other equally relevant concerns, as a parent, you are likely wondering what steps you can take to help make this time of stress and uncertainty more tolerable, especially for your children. Today, we will discuss how you, as a parent, can help your children accept and understand this new reality. If your marriage is heading for divorce and you want to ensure your and your children’s rights are protected and advocated for, contact an experienced divorce attorney with experience in divorces involving children. Your attorney will be an invaluable asset as you navigate this tumultuous time.

Keep These Things in Mind When You Are Divorcing with Children

If you are getting a divorce and have children, keep these tips in mind as you move through the process:

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 Posted on March 07, 2023 in Divorce

Bringing up the topic of divorce with your spouse is a challenging conversation to have. Emotions can run very high, and things can escalate quickly if one party starts making threats. Recently, we wrote a blog detailing how you can bring up the topic of divorce with your spouse. Today, we will discuss what you can do if you bring up the subject of divorce and your spouse begins threatening you. If you are considering divorce, contact an attorney who will defend your rights and ensure your best interests are always protected.

What to Do if Your Spouse Starts Making Threats

First and foremost, it is essential to remain cool, calm, and collected. Making threats during a divorce can have serious consequences, including legal ramifications. Threatening your spouse with harm, making financial threats, or threatening to withhold custody of children are all examples of behavior that could be considered abusive and illegal. If your spouse is making threats, it is important to document the behavior. Keep a record of any threatening text messages, emails, or voicemails. This documentation can be used later as evidence if the behavior continues or escalates.

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 Posted on February 28, 2023 in Divorce

Bringing up the idea of divorce to your spouse can be among the most daunting tasks imaginable. However, if you have decided to end your marriage, it is important to approach the conversation calmly and thoughtfully. Today, we will be discussing considerations to keep in mind when bringing up the topic of divorce with your spouse. Furthermore, it will be crucial for you to obtain experienced legal counsel for your divorce to help ensure your rights are protected and respected throughout the divorce process. 

Tips on Bringing up the Topic of Divorce

 The following are tips on bringing up the idea of divorce with your spouse. These tips include the following:

• Prepare yourself – Before you discuss divorce, it is important to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. Take the time to consider your reasons for wanting a divorce and think about how you want to communicate those reasons to your spouse. It would be best if you also began considering the practical aspects of divorce, like custody arrangements, property division, and financial support. 

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 Posted on February 24, 2023 in Divorce

Just like no two people are the same, no two divorces are the same. While most divorces are difficult for everyone involved, complex divorces, as the name implies, are usually especially complicated. A complex divorce is often a term used to describe a divorce case that may involve high-net-worth individuals, business owners, or couples with complicated assets and finances. These cases often require highly knowledgeable divorce attorneys, as they involve multiple issues and can be time-consuming and emotionally draining. Today, we will discuss what is most important about complex divorces. 

Elements to Be Aware of in Complex Divorces 

Several elements can make a divorce complex, including the following:

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 Posted on February 13, 2023 in Divorce

Divorce can be an emotionally grueling process, but as with many challenges life can throw our way, having a close-knit support system helps a great deal. When it comes to divorce, while the support of friends and family is undoubtedly essential, having a compassionate yet aggressive divorce attorney can make a significant difference in making the process less complicated and distressing. 

Most people know having a knowledgeable divorce attorney is important when going through a divorce. But how can you tell when you have selected the right attorney, and what are some red flags to look out for as you go through the process of attorney selection?

Attorney Red Flags to Look Out For 

Here are some red flags to look for when hiring a divorce attorney:

• Poor communication – One of the most important aspects of any attorney-client relationship is communication. If an attorney is difficult to reach, takes a long time to respond to messages, or fails to keep you updated on the status of your case, it may be a sign that they are not prioritizing your case. 

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 Posted on February 06, 2023 in Divorce

When most people think of divorce, they typically envision highly contentious court proceedings where the spouses and their troubles are publicly litigated in a courtroom. While some divorces are like this, they do not have to be. That may sound like wishful thinking, but it is not. An uncontested divorce may be an option for spouses looking to end their marriage in a reasonable manner. Simply put, an uncontested divorce is a divorce in which both parties agree on all the terms and conditions associated with the divorce, including property division, child custody, spousal support, and more. However, it is essential to understand that just because you and your spouse can agree on the issues, this does not mean you do not need an attorney to help guide you through the divorce process.

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 Posted on January 30, 2023 in Child Custody

It is true that while a divorce is almost always difficult for the adults involved, it is often even more difficult for the children involved. Illinois courts believe that once a divorce has been finalized, it is in the best interests of the children to have both parents stay involved in their life. Having both parents involved in the lives of the children usually involves co-parenting between the recently divorced parents. As can be imagined, there can be serious complications that come with co-parenting. 

In this blog, we will look at common issues that are associated with co-parenting and how to avoid such problems from arising. If you are seeking a divorce, consider consulting with an experienced divorce attorney to help you and your former spouse work together to ensure the divorce impacts your children's lives to the least extent possible. 

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