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When it comes to divorce proceedings, one of the most complicated aspects is property division. Illinois law distinguishes between marital and non-marital property and handles each type differently, although occasionally, property can occupy both categories. Understanding the differences between these two types of property is crucial to navigating the property division process.

Getting a divorce can be a complex and emotional process, and having an attorney to help you navigate the legal system can be beneficial. However, many people think they can handle the whole process for themselves. If you are trying to decide if you should hire a lawyer. The primary benefit of having a lawyer represent you during your divorce is that they can ensure that all legal documents are correct and consistent with the laws in your state. This saves time, prevents any unnecessary mistakes, and ultimately makes for a smoother process overall. Additionally, since attorneys are often experienced in family law matters, they may be able to provide insight into certain aspects that you may have not considered before and help you consider ideas for your post-divorce life you had not thought of.

When it comes to legal matters, the phrase “simple case” is often thrown around. But the truth is, there are rarely simple cases for attorneys to work on—and this can be a red flag to the attorney for those seeking help with their divorce. The reason? Questions rarely have simple answers when it comes to the law.

When it comes to divorce, the most common piece of advice usually involves protecting one’s assets. But what if you don’t have any assets? Does that mean you should skip hiring an attorney? Absolutely not! Everyone has stuff that they want to keep after a divorce. Assets is the fancy legal term for your stuff. While may not have a lot of stuff, there are still plenty of ways in which an experienced family law attorney can help protect your future and make sure you get the best possible outcome.

The holidays can be a stressful time for any divorcing couple, especially if there are children involved. With January being divorce month, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how you want to divide up the upcoming holiday season. Read on to learn more about how you can plan ahead and make sure that everyone knows the schedules for the holidays, has time to adjust, and heal before the major end-of-the-year holidays.

Every new year brings with it a chance for a fresh start. Is this your year to start fresh?

Why is January such a popular month to start on your divorce?

Navigating health insurance coverage after a divorce does not have to be a mine field

Divorce is never easy, and it can drain you emotionally and financially. But did you know when you file for divorce can also affect your taxes? If you’re thinking about divorce, consider filing early in the year to avoid headaches later.

Getting a divorce means asking a lot of questions, especially about big stuff like your house. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, since it depends on things like your credit, your mortgage, and what you want to do with the house.

Selling the House

A lot of couples sell their house during a divorce. This gives you both a fresh start and lets you split any equity – the money left after paying off the mortgage and selling costs (about 10% of the price).

Renting the House/Becoming a Landlord

Maybe you don’t want to sell, or you see the house as a future investment. In this case, one of you keeps the house and rents it to the other. Be aware that being a landlord comes with its own work, like handling repairs and making sure your mortgage company allows rentals.

Dealing with Equity and Refinancing

If you’ve paid off a good chunk of your mortgage, you have equity. Here’s how to handle it:

• Buyout: One of you buys the other person’s share of the equity.
• Refinance: One of you gets a new mortgage in your name alone to buy out the other person’s equity. This means you’ll need to qualify based on your income and credit.
• Assumption: Sometimes, one person takes over the whole mortgage and keeps the house. This usually requires the mortgage to be up-to-date and both of you to agree to it. Talk to your lender about this option.

It might sound a bit confusing, but don’t worry! I help people with situations like this all the time. Now that you understand the basics, you’re a step closer to making the right decisions for yourself.