Deciding whether to keep your married name or return to your birth name after divorce is a personal choice with no right or wrong answer. The person who changed their name cannot be forced to change it to their former name because the name is not property that can be taken back. Let’s explore some […]
Pets are more than just property in Illinois. They’re considered family members, and their well-being matters in divorce proceedings. But what does that mean for you and your pet if you’re facing separation or divorce? Pets Aren’t Furniture: Illinois Law Considers Their Well-being Unlike most states that treat pets as simple possessions, Illinois courts recognize […]
Few things are as devastating as an unexpected divorce. In engineering, an unexpected catastrophe is called a rapid unexpected disassembly or RUD. RUD sounds a lot more clinical than blew up. Some people experience the same thing with their marriage. One day, their marriage experiences a RUD and blows up out of the blue. Whether […]
When going through a divorce in Illinois, understanding your financial rights is crucial. This means knowing what assets you’re potentially entitled to and ensuring everything is on the table during negotiations. Hiding assets during a marriage or divorce is known as financial infidelity. Separate vs. Marital Property: What’s Yours? Illinois law divides your belongings into […]
It might be tempting to hide assets or debts during a divorce, hoping for a bigger piece of the pie. But let’s be clear: honesty is not just the ethical thing to do; it’s the smartest strategy for your future. Not telling your lawyer the truth can have devastating consequences. Telling Your Lawyer the Truth […]
Even in the most amicable situations, it’s important to understand why lawyers cannot ethically represent both people in a divorce. Here is how the ethical rules prevent divorcing spouses from sharing a lawyer The Ethics Rules Prevent Both People from Sharing a Lawyer Confidentiality Rules: Attorneys have a duty to keep client information strictly confidential. […]
Getting divorced is stressful, and drawn-out legal battles make it worse. But with careful planning and cooperation, you might be able to finalize your divorce much faster than you expected. Sometimes, I can even help you get divorced in 30 days or less. Here’s how: The Steps to Getting Divorced in 30 days Agree on […]
Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution process in which a neutral third party (the mediator) assists two (or more) parties to reach a mutually-acceptable agreement without going to trial. The mediator does not make any decisions on behalf of the parties; instead, they help guide the parties in finding a solution that works best for […]
Maintenance, also called alimony, involves one spouse potentially paying the other for financial support after divorce. I am asked a lot about whether it has to be paid, when its paid and for how long. So here is a breakdown about maintenance in the State of Illinois. What is Maintenance in Illinois? Simply put, maintenance, […]
During an Illinois divorce, one of the key things is how to divide your marital property. This can be confusing, so here’s a basic breakdown. This post is not legal advice — if you need legal advice, you should hire a lawyer. What is Marital Property? Basically, any asset acquired during your marriage is […]
