630-409-8184Recent Blog Posts
Unusual Divorce Laws
It is a common and widely-held opinion that divorce is no laughing matter, especially if you or someone you love has been through the experience. However, sometimes certain celebrity splits and other unusual reasons for divorce hit the news and one cannot help but shake their head and maybe even chuckle.
Strange and Weird
While many divorces involve fairly straightforward claims to dissolve a marriage, there are times when divorce attorneys and the courts hear of some very out of the ordinary claims. As it is, there are divorce laws in some states and countries still in effect that many consider unusual to downright bizarre. However, it turns out that these laws exist because the reasons for their creation still occur.- A man in Vermont can divorce his wife is she gets false teeth without first notifying him.
- In New York, you can seek a divorce on the grounds that your spouse is legally insane. However, one must prove the spouse was mentally ill for at least five years.
Things a Divorce Lawyer Knows
Anyone who has experienced divorce or is in a relationship headed for divorce understands it is an emotional and volatile period. Advice and guidance come from well-meaning friends and family members, but the complexities of a contested divorce require a greater understanding of the issues and family law.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Even if you have been through a previous divorce, it is very likely that every breakdown of a marriage contains element and issues unique to the people involved. It is for these and many other reasons why the counsel of a practice legal professional may prove to be the best decision a person makes when they have the resolve to pursue a divorce decree. In addition to handling all the key research and filings, a divorce attorney can help a person keep track of other related details.- Avoid letting emotions guide your financial decisions. Often times acting out of spite or anger could damage your own financial future.
Divorce and Depression
In addition to the financial repercussions of divorce, the emotional toll felt by both adults and children during and following the end of a marriage often has the power to develop into something quite harmful. In fact, many professionals urge greater awareness for and detection of the signs of clinical depression among those who go through a divorce.
Teens and Divorce
The impact of divorce on a teen can have a number of negative effects, ranging from feelings of abandonment to blaming themselves for the split of their parents. Some professionals make the analogy of a puzzle with missing parts, now the picture of the family the teen has known their whole life is suddenly incomplete. This can lead to confusion and sadness that, if left untreated, has the ability to develop into something quite harmful.
Although the numbers do not all reflect the impact of divorce, the incidents of teen depression have been on the rise since 2012. However, many believe increased cases of teen depression can often be traced back to some kind of major change in a teen’s life. The divorce of their parent certainly would qualify as a major life-changing event.
Divorce Risk: Does a Short Engagement Result in Divorce?
Recently it was reported that the participants of a reality show entitled, “Married at First Sight,” had finalized their divorce, citing irreconcilable differences at the time of filing. A second couple from the show started the divorce process last month. This begs the question whether or not a brief period of engagement dooms the marriage.
The Engagement Period
Various studies on the subject offer no concrete answers as to the perfect length of engagement, certain themes emerge that show tendencies on the subject.
- Too Short - Many believe engagements lasting less than 12 months do not offer couples enough time to truly get to know each other. While they enter the marriage while the relationship is still fresh, new and exciting, those feelings may quickly fade when the realities and responsibility of a lifetime commitment present previously unexperienced problems or disagreements.
Strange Divorce Settlements
Most couples going through a divorce are looking for a fair division of the marital assets, alimony and child support amounts they can live with, and, ultimately, the legal dissolution of a marriage that just was not working. However, every so often we hear about some really odd demands made by one party or the other that cause us to shake our heads in disbelief. Strange Demands, Strange Results Granted, divorce laws around the world vary greatly. Some tend to favor one party more than the other. Perhaps the only thing more strange than the demands made by the parties in these divorce cases, is that the judge actually granted them in finalizing the divorce decree. A Cambodian couple ordered to split their assets took things quite literally and divided their house in half. The husband towed his half away, perhaps to enclose it before the rainy season. A judge in Spain ordered a couple to divide their apartment in half as it was deemed best for the well-being of their two young daughters. In Australia a man had to dig up the remains of his parents, who he buried on his family property, after a judge awarded the property to his wife. A Nobel laureate who was divorced in 1988 had to pay his wife half of 1995 winnings because their settlement included a clause for any future Nobel winnings up to and including 1995. If he had won in 1996 his wife would have received nothing. In India, a man who claimed his wife spent all his money on ice cream, was ordered to pay $1,300 per month in support, and an additional $2.50 each month so his wife could buy ice cream. Of course, these stories all seem to border on the extreme, but the lesson is that if you feel you are entitled to something as part of your divorce there is no harm in asking for it. Work with an Experienced Aurora Divorce Attorney When it comes to dividing marital property as part of the final divorce settlement there is bound to be some disagreement among the parties. This is when it will pay off to find and retain an Illinois divorce lawyer that will work on your behalf to see that you receive everything to which you are entitled. When you rely on The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. for help in pursuing your divorce, you will benefit from years of experience and their dedication to client satisfaction. You can schedule a free consultation when you call their offices today. Sources: http:/mentalfloss.com/article/23385/10-bizarre-divorce-settlements https:/www.oddee.com/item_99656.aspx" divorce are looking for a fair division of the marital assets,alimony andchild support amounts they can live with, and, ultimately, the legal dissolution of a marriage that just was not working. However, every so often we hear about some really odd demands made by one party or the other that cause us to shake our heads in disbelief.
Life after Divorce: Dealing with Bad Memories during and after a Divorce
Married couples have a lifetime of happy memories from their time together. Divorced couples may have shared some good times together, but when a divorce appears on the horizon the good times often fade and one’s thoughts can be dominated by the memories that led up to or caused the divorce. Sometimes the weight of those bad memories can create problems that affect other areas of one’s life.
Coping Strategies
For people who feel overwhelmed by the bad memories of a failed marriage, simply telling oneself to stop dwelling on the past is not enough. Whether it is self-guilt over the divorce or the memories of words and actions by the ex-spouse, it can require more than willpower to stop reliving the past. Although not a complete list of strategies, the following are some tips that may help.
Divorce and Blame
When a couple splits everyone immediately wants to know who is to blame. Surely one of the spouses or other did something so egregious that is resulted in divorce. In some cases, the couple who is splitting up feels the need to blame their partner for the divorce in order to relieve some of their own guilt.
The Blame Game
Even though most states offer the option of a no-fault divorce, blame still plays a big part in the reasons leading up to and the process of a divorce. Many times it is not even those who are seeking a divorce that place blame, as friends and family have been known to choose sides and blame the other for the end of the marriage. Some common thoughts on blame and divorce include:
- It many cases, there is no blame to place as two people eventually learn they just are not compatible and decide a divorce is the best thing for both of them.
Making It Through Your First Holiday Season Post-Divorce
The divorce process may be one of the most emotionally traumatic experiences of your life, as the relationship you once thought would last forever has ended. Dealing with the aftermath of your divorce while navigating the winter holidays can increase the stress and anxiety of rebuilding your life.
The Holidays Are Stressful Enough
Crowds at the mall, parking lots filled to capacity, family get-togethers and office parties are just some of the things that make this time of the year very stressful. The after-effects of a divorce can increase that stress level, but if you have some idea of what to expect then perhaps you can take steps to avoid adding to your anxiety.
- People like to talk about their families and what is happening in their life when they gather during the holidays. Send a brief note to family and friends that, although you appreciate their support, you would prefer not to focus on or discuss your break up.
Serving Divorce Papers on Social Media
The introduction and evolution of social media has made a huge impact on a variety of personal and business matters. Now it seems that some people are using social media platforms as a means for expediting the serving of divorce papers to hard to find spouses. This new use of social media platforms has the potential to provide some measure of simplicity in what at times is a time-consuming process.
A New Use for Facebook
As it turns out, an increasing number of judges are approving the use of Facebook to serve hard-to-find spouses because more and more people are easier to find through their online activity. In one of the first cases addressing the issue, the petitioner claimed that even employment of a private investigator provided no results in locating her spouse. However, she had a cell phone number and knowledge of an active social media account used by the husband. The presiding judge ruled that the increased use of social media in a growing number of aspects in life allowed for it to be used as a new forum for delivering a summons. Other benefits of using social media include:- Facebook posts include time stamps and automatic notifications of who sees the post and when they view it.
Social Media Mistakes When Going Through Divorce
There is no denying that going through a divorce can be a very trying time in life. Many people benefit from discussing their feelings with friends or a mental health professional. However, the growth in popularity of social media has led to an increase in the use of online postings as a way to vent about their spouse and relieve frustration.
Some Social Media Don’ts
While airing your feelings and frustrations about your divorce or your soon-to-be-ex may feel liberating, it can result in negative consequences. Consider these tips and strategies for social media use prior to, during and after a divorce to avoid causing yourself or others further harm.- Do not jump the gun. Changing your “relationship status” too early in the process can take your partner by surprise, especially if the possibility of a divorce was never previously discussed. It might also give your spouse the chance to hide assets or do other things that could hinder your opportunity for an equitable divorce decree.
Ready to Get Started?
To schedule a free consultation with Aurora divorce attorney, Matthew M. Williams, call 630-409-8184 or fill out the form below.
Aurora
1444 North Farnsworth Ave., #307
Aurora, IL 60505
P 630-409-8184
MAP + DIRECTIONS
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Yorkville
520 E Kendall Drive, Suite C-1
Yorkville, IL 60560
P 630-409-8184
MAP + DIRECTIONS
