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Recent Blog Posts

Should We Sign an Illinois Postnuptial Agreement?

 Posted on March 28, 2024 in Prenuptial Agreements

IL divorce lawyerA prenuptial agreement can often be an excellent thing for an engaged couple to sign as they prepare for married life. It will get them in the habit of thinking about their money and assets not as theirs individually but as theirs as a couple. It can also give them a great deal of peace of mind, knowing that if the marriage does not succeed, their finances will be protected and they will have a fair settlement.

However, many couples do not sign a prenup. For some, the idea of planning for a hypothetical divorce before even giving their marriage a chance seems unpleasant. Others might get so swept up in the romance and excitement of planning their wedding that they accidentally overlook this step even if they find it reasonable. Whatever the reason, some people find once they are married that they regret the fact they never signed one. If this describes you, a postnuptial agreement might be a good option for you. Speak with an experienced Kane County, IL divorce lawyer to find out more.

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If Parents Have Equal 50/50 Custody, Is There Child Support in Illinois?

 Posted on March 28, 2024 in Child Support

IL family lawyerOne of the most commonly discussed topics in parental divorce is child support. Sometimes, one parent has more time with the children and responsibility for them and the other has more flexibility to work and earn a living. In that case, it is generally straightforward; the parent who works more pays child support to the parent spending more time raising the children. But sometimes, the parents have equally shared custody, and neither parent can claim to be spending more time with the kids. If you believe you will have a 50/50 custody arrangement with your spouse, you will likely have questions about child support calculations. Speak with a knowledgeable Wheaton, IL divorce attorney to get some answers.

How Does Shared Parenting Work?

Child custody, or parenting time, refers to when the child is with each parent. There is no specific template for a parenting time schedule that will work for everyone. Every family that has been through a divorce has a unique parenting time schedule based on factors that include the child’s needs, the parents’ abilities, and others. 

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When Do Child Support Obligations Apply for Adult Children in Illinois?

 Posted on March 25, 2024 in Child Support

IL family lawyerChild support obligations generally end on a child’s 18th birthday. In some cases, they end when the child graduates high school. However, under certain circumstances, parents might be required to continue making payments for their children even when they are no longer considered minors. For example, divorced parents in Illinois can be obligated to create a plan to cover their child’s college education. Additionally, child support obligations can extend beyond that point for several years and might never end in the child’s lifetime if the child has special needs. If you are going through a divorce and your child has disabilities, you should speak with a knowledgeable Kane County, IL child support attorney to understand what sort of obligations you might have and start preparing accordingly.

Paying for Your Adult Child’s College Education

While judges in Illinois cannot tell married parents what to do with their money, they do have the option of ordering divorced parents to help cover the costs of their children’s college or trade school education. Divorce settlements are supposed to ensure that the parents and child can continue enjoying the standard of living they had when the parents were married, and a college education might be included in that standard. However, it is not an obligation, and the judge might decide not to order this.

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When Are Psychological Evaluations Used in Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on March 20, 2024 in Child Custody

IL family lawyer

Custody disputes can be quite complicated to resolve when parents get a divorce. The people involved often feel tense and emotions can run high. Trying to figure out how parental responsibilities and rights will be divided can be especially challenging if either parent’s mental health and emotional regulation are in question. If one parent expresses concerns that the other is psychologically incapable of properly caring for their children and providing them with a safe and stable home, the courts will take such concerns very seriously as they attempt to draft a settlement that will ultimately serve the child’s best interests. In such cases, psychological evaluations can be very helpful. A knowledgeable Kane County, IL child custody attorney can provide more thorough information about this and examine whether a psychological evaluation might be suitable in your case.

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Should I Consider Divorce Coaching in Illinois

 Posted on March 14, 2024 in Divorce

IL divorce lawyerAcknowledging that your marriage has failed is no easy task. With a divorce looming, you might find you are emotionally and even physically overwhelmed by everything you need to think about. Who will get our home? What will happen to our retirement funds? If you have children, these questions only increase. Trying to make plans for an uncertain future can be stressful, especially if you do not have any previous experience with divorce.

It is wonderful if you have friends and family around who want to help and support you during this difficult period. But beyond the emotional and even logistical support they can offer you, it might be a good idea for you to hire the services of a divorce coach who can help you navigate this complicated process.

At Goostree Law Group, we are pleased to offer our clients the opportunity to work with Paulette Theodosis, a client liaison and certified divorce coach who uses her extensive family law background and her own experience with divorce to assist our clients in moving forward from their own circumstances.

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Will My Illinois Divorce Be Affected by Who Files First?

 Posted on March 08, 2024 in Divorce

IL divorce lawyerThe first official step that needs to be taken when a couple understands that they want to begin divorce proceedings is to file for divorce. You might worry that if your spouse files for divorce first, it could somehow influence how it will play out. In truth, this does not have much of an impact. This article will explain why. If you have any further questions about whether your divorce will be affected by whoever files for divorce first, a knowledgeable St. Charles, IL divorce lawyer can offer more detailed explanations.

Will I Seem Guilty if My Spouse Files for Divorce?

It used to be that a spouse who wanted to get a divorce needed to offer grounds, meaning they had to explain why they wanted to end their marriage. The state of Illinois changed this requirement, and now the only acceptable grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences. Neither spouse is blamed for the breakdown in the relationship, and the resulting divorce settlement reflects this as well. Since Illinois divorce proceedings do not include placing blame on either spouse, there is no need to worry that if your spouse files first, it can make it seem like they are the injured party, and you should be punished in your settlement. it does not matter who files first; any arrangements for child custody, asset division, and other aspects of the divorce will be decided without any consideration for who filed.

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What Is Birdnesting Custody in Illinois?

 Posted on March 04, 2024 in Child Custody

IL family lawyerWhen parents get a divorce, they generally try to figure out where each ex-spouse will live and come up with a schedule for which home the children go to when. That is certainly the most common custody arrangement, but not the only one available. Some parents decide to keep the children in the family home, and instead of the children moving from home to home, the parents alternate when they stay at that home. Otherwise known as birdnesting, this option is not for everyone, but under certain circumstances, it can work wonderfully. If you and your spouse are considering birdnesting, speak with an experienced Kane County, IL divorce lawyer to help you understand your options. 

How Does Birdnesting Work?

When divorced parents decide to try birdnesting, it takes a great deal of pressure off the children. They don’t need to remember to pack important things frequently as they shuttle back and forth between their parents or make sure to have multiple of all their favorite things. The children keep on living in their home, sleeping in their own room, and it is the parents who alternate sleeping there. 

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How Does a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity Work in Illinois?

 Posted on February 28, 2024 in Paternity

IL family lawyerThe state of Illinois has specific rules for determining parentage. A woman giving birth is automatically legally recognized as the biological mother. If she is married to a man at the time of the birth, her husband is automatically recognized as the father without any need to prove this to be the case. Things become more complicated when the mother is not married when she gives birth. There are several ways to determine your paternity so that it is legally recognized. If you are not married and you are about to become a father, speak with an experienced St. Charles, IL paternity lawyer to hear more about your options and how you should proceed.

What is Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity?

A voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, or VAP, is a document that includes a declaration by the child’s father that he is, in fact, the father. It needs to be signed by both the father and the mother. When both of the child’s parents voluntarily agree and sign this document, there is no need for DNA tests or any other measures to prove parentage. It is generally signed when a child’s parents are unmarried, but both are interested in each of them being legally recognized as the parents.

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Tips for Newly Divorced Parents in Illinois

 Posted on February 21, 2024 in Divorce

IL divorce lawyerParents going through a divorce generally find it to be quite a tumultuous process. After a breakup, most exes prefer to spend time apart as they lick their emotional wounds and figure out how to move on. When parents go through a breakup, they are not given that privilege. They need to form a mutually acceptable parenting plan and navigate their transition from being married parents to being two parents raising their children separately. They need to reach a settlement that includes stipulations about child custody, child support, and parental responsibilities. While it might be natural for the parents in this complicated situation to let their emotions take over and do whatever they can to get revenge on their ex, some couples find they can work together if it will benefit their children. Below is a list of tips for newly divorced parents who want to work together for a smoother future of co-parenting. If you would like to know more, a knowledgeable Kane County, IL divorce lawyer can offer useful guidance.

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What to Know about Subpoenas in an Illinois Divorce

 Posted on February 15, 2024 in Divorce

IL divorce lawyerWhen a couple goes through a contested divorce, it means that the spouses are not in agreement about some aspect of the divorce settlement. When this happens, evidence must be gathered from both parties so that the relevant authorities can make a decision based on fact. If either spouse is unwilling to hand over information that they are asked for, a subpoena might be used to compel them to do so. If you have questions about the role a subpoena might play in divorce, a knowledgeable Kane County, IL divorce lawyer can explain further.

What Does a Subpoena Mean in Divorce Proceedings?

A subpoena can be issued by the court or a lawyer and can be issued to individuals, organizations, or other entities that might have information relevant to a case. It legally requires the recipient to provide documentation or other information. Upon receipt of a subpoena, the recipient is legally bound to respond by either providing whatever was requested or appearing in court. Failure to comply can result in the recipient being held in contempt of the court and possibly even facing criminal charges.

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