Signs Your Marriage Might Be Over: Key Signs and the Cost of Staying in a Failing Relationship When your marriage hits rough waters, recognizing the signs of a potential breakup is crucial. Ignoring problems rarely makes them disappear. If you wonder whether your relationship is salvageable, or if it’s time to consider divorce, look for […]
The High Cost of Divorce: Emotional and Financial Impacts Divorce isn’t just a legal separation, it’s an emotional earthquake. Even amicable breakups bring sadness, stress, and uncertainty, especially when children are involved. You may face difficult custody arrangements, relocation, and the overwhelming need to start over. This emotional turmoil can damage your mental health. If […]
The pros and cons of searching for a lawyer online Trying to find the right lawyer for you online can be a bit like finding a black cat in a dark room. The best way to find a black cat in a dark room is to turn on a light and open a bag of […]
Imagine this: someone gets married, quickly files for divorce without their spouse’s knowledge, and a judge signs off on it, leaving the other person in the dark. Sounds unfair, right? It is – and it’s not how the legal system works. Why Every Divorce Involves Both Spouses Each party in a divorce deserves a voice. […]
Annulment in Illinois: Is It the Right Option for You? Unlike a divorce ending an existing marriage, an annulment in Illinois erases the marriage as if it never happened. Illinois law is strict. There are only four specific reasons for an annulment: Lack of Capacity to Marry: This means one spouse was mentally unable to understand […]
Simple Divorce: The DIY Trap vs. Hiring a Lawyer Sure, there are DIY divorce forms out there, even free ones. But here’s the (many) catches: You become the expert: You’ll need to master e-filing systems, figure out fixes if the clerk rejects your paperwork, and handle serving your ex. Plus, you’re now responsible for navigating complex […]
Legal Separation: An Alternative to Divorce Divorce isn’t the only path when a marriage breaks down. Legal separation offers a formal, court-approved way for couples to live apart while remaining legally married. This option appeals to many for a variety of reasons. it is different than being separated, which requires no formal court order. Why […]
Why Lawyers Don’t Give Free Advice You’ve probably encountered a lawyer who wouldn’t offer free legal advice, leaving you frustrated. “It depends” or “I can’t answer without you being a client” might sound like we’re just dodging questions to squeeze money from you. But the reasons I avoid free advice are much deeper than that. […]
Retirement Division in Divorce: What You Need to Know When a marriage ends, couples must confront the difficult task of dividing their shared assets. One major consideration is often retirement savings. In many states, including Illinois, retirement accounts accumulated during the marriage are part of the “marital estate.” This means both spouses have a claim […]
Illinois child support is determined pursuant to law, 750 ILCS 5/505. Child support is based on several factors: the number of children, the parenting time split, and both parents’ incomes. The state provides an online calculator to help you estimate your potential obligation or payment The calculator starts by asking for your gross monthly income […]
