Mothers in Divorce

 Posted on December 30, 2012 in Divorce

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Some people are more creative about calling it quits – outcome remains the same

 Posted on December 27, 2012 in Divorce

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Kalamazoo Lab Debuts Prenatal Paternity Test

 Posted on December 24, 2012 in Family Law

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U of I Professor Consults on Sesame Street Divorce Resources

 Posted on December 21, 2012 in Divorce

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Family Owned Businesses and Divorce

 Posted on December 18, 2012 in Divorce

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Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Marriage Equality

 Posted on December 15, 2012 in Family Law

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to review two cases regarding same-sex marriage, in what the Associated Press calls a “potentially historic” hearing “challenging governments’ different treatment of gay Americans.” The first is the Defense of Marriage Act that states that the federal government will only recognize marriage as the union between two people of the opposite sex. The law has faced intense criticism since its inception in 1996, and been upheld several times by circuit courts across the nation. The other ruling that the country’s highest court will debate next year is California’s Prop 8, which, according to the Associated Press, is the state’s constitutional amendment that forbids same-sex marriage. The anticipated 2013 hearing will be the first time that the Supreme Court will address the question of same-sex marriage.  It’s not the first time in recent history that the status of gay and lesbian citizens has been addressed in the Supreme Court, however. In 2003, according to PolicyMic.com, the Justices ruled 6–3 against a Texas law criminalizing gay sex as an unconstitutional violation of privacy. “Since then,” according to PolicyMic, “nine states have legalized same-sex marriage, the Obama administration formally repealed Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the policy that prevented gays from serving opening in the military, and formally stopped defending against legal challenges to DOMA.” It’s no secret that the Obama Administration is staunchly against the Defense of Marriage Act, and most legal experts agree that the Supreme Court ruling, expected in June of next year, will repeal the controversial legislation. The state of Illinois has recognized same-sex unions since June 2011. In the first six months that the state offered civil unions, according to Illinois Issues, about 3,700 couples sought civil union licenses. Yet if gay marriage, not just civil unions, are legalized—and on a national level—the unions recognized in Illinois would be legitimate across the country. If you or someone you know is seeking information about gay marriage or civil unions in Illinois, contact a dedicated Illinois family law attorney today. Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Child Custody in Illinois

 Posted on December 12, 2012 in Divorce

There are, of course, several complicated issues to be addressed when going through a divorce. If children are involved, it’s even more so. The court system in Illinois takes into consideration several different factors when determining child custody, the crux of which is the child’s best interests. States all have different rules that evoke the “child’s best interest,” according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, a governmental resource. In Illinois, the following factors that determine a child’s best interest include, but are not limited to:

• the physical safety and welfare of the child
• the child’s background and ties, including familial, cultural, and religious
• the child’s wishes and long-term goals

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Deadbeat Parents Owe Over $100 Billion in Back Support

 Posted on December 10, 2012 in Family Law

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New Apps May Make Divorce a Little Easier

 Posted on December 07, 2012 in Divorce

We are a society that loves our phone apps. There are of course the entertainment apps – music, games, social media, etc. There are apps that make our lives easier – GPS apps, apps to scan our groceries as we shop, banking apps, note taking apps and even apps that will tell you where the closest public restroom is to the location you’re at. A recent article in Huffington Post reports that there are now apps that can help make the divorce process a bit more organized as well.

• The Divorce Log app is a calendar based program and helps keep all the information you need to keep track of all in one place. It allows you to track items like child support and alimony payment dates, time you spend with the children and any expenses you incur. Any entries that are store in the app can be forwarded directly to an email address, allowing you to send the info directly to an attorney or ex-spouse.

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Gay Marriage Lawsuit Plaintiffs Urge Legislature to Pass Same Sex Marriage Bill

 Posted on December 05, 2012 in Family Law

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