When a divorce occurs, the division of marital and financial assets is a necessary step in the divorce proceedings. Social Security benefits may come into play in certain jurisdictions when other assets are divided. Government employees can put money into their government pension plans without contributing to Social Security. This makes a percentage of their pensions a legitimate Social Security substitute that is considered a marital asset that can be divided in a divorce.
With all the stress, time, and effort that goes into the divorce proceeding, it is easy to overlook the effects of the divorce on the children. Children are vulnerable to stress from a divorce because they are witnessing the splitting of their family, often for reasons that they do not know or understand. The situation can be especially stressful if one parent engages in parental alienation.
Many people consider their dogs and cats members of the family, not property, and custody of the pets can become a major issue in the divorce proceeding. As of January 1, 2018, a new Illinois law was passed that treats pets more like children and allows couples more options to come to a compromise when it comes to pet custody.
Choosing to adopt a child is a major decision, but one that can provide a child with a real, loving home and a chance at a normal and happy life. If you are a resident of Illinois that is considering adoption, it is beneficial to review Illinois adoption laws and policies to get an idea of the process and requirements.
Illinois law states that the marital property must be divided fairly and equitably, which means that it doesn’t necessarily have to be equal. An experienced attorney will advise you on how to protect your legal and financial interests.
The process of a divorce is tough on everyone in the family from the spouses to the children whose lives are about to change significantly. Divorce proceedings often involve intense emotions and some of this tension may carry over into the planning involving child custody and visitation. When going through a divorce, the parents must…
In most divorce cases where parents cannot agree on a plan for raising their children, the court usually decides matters that concern the welfare of the child or children. These decisions include the time the child will spend with each parent, who the primary caregiver will be, who will bear the expenses of the child,…
Going through a divorce can be a long, difficult process which is why there is some relief once the divorce has been finalized. After a divorce, your living situation will no doubt be different. If you need to find a new job so you can move on with your life after divorce, the following tips will help make the transition easier.
The following guide will help you understand how debt is divided in a divorce and what to expect if you are going through a divorce in which there is shared debt involved. When going through a divorce, it helps to have a professional divorce lawyer to navigate the division of financial assets including debt.
Deciding to file for a divorce is not a choice that should be made on a whim. Divorces are long, messy situations that will require plenty of your time, money, and effort, and they affect more people than just the divorcing spouses. Divorce proceedings are always more complicated and often more painful if there are…