Posted on August 22, 2017 in Divorce

When considering a divorce, or learning of a spouse’s intent to file for divorce, one usually looks to hire a skilled divorce attorney. This is a good first instinct. However, another hire you may wish to consider is that of a private investigator.

Even if you think the divorce might be amicable, the assistance of a professional and experienced investigator may be worth every bit of the expense.

How a Private Investigator Help

Depending on the issues surrounding your divorce, the information your private investigator uncovers may assist with matters related to alimony, child custody and visitation, asset allocation, and support payments.

Consider a summary of areas in which a private investigator may prove most helpful:

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 Posted on August 16, 2017 in Divorce

Divorce is often viewed by some as getting out of a bad situation. However, what many are unprepared for is the impact the divorce can have on their own credit score. Following a divorce, one can discover that his or her income, even with alimony or other support payments, is not enough to cover expenses.

Falling behind on monthly bills, running up large amounts of debt, or failing to curb your expenses to meet the new income restrictions a divorce often brings may all negatively impact your credit score.

Tips for Managing and Monitoring Your Credit Score During a Divorce

Consider implementing some or all of these tips to help monitor and maintain your credit history during and following your divorce.

• Get a copy of your credit report as soon as you know a divorce is looming. This helps you understand the bills and expenses that appear there, as well as those debts for you which you are responsible and those which are shared.

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 Posted on August 11, 2017 in Divorce

When one or both partners in a marriage decide to pursue a divorce, the thought of remarriage is not usually among the matters under immediate consideration. However, over time, remarriage is something  that many divorced individuals pursue, even remarrying the same person they previously divorced.

To some, the thought of remarrying the same person you just divorced may sound ridiculous. After all, whether the divorce process was amicable or hostile, so much time, energy, money, and emotion was spent settling issues such as alimony and support, custody and visitation, and division of marital assets. The reality is that some couples eventually realize, after time spent apart, that remarrying their “ex” is right for them.

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 Posted on August 08, 2017 in Divorce

Marriage is not something that runs on autopilot. All couples, regardless if they are married for a few months or several years, will inevitably experience some trying times.

Whether through communication, counseling, or some other means, it is often possible to resolve conflicts, repair the relationship, and continue living a happy life together. Disagreements and fights do not need to result in divorce.

Head Off the Possibility of Divorce Before Getting Married

One way to reduce the chances of divorce is to make sure you have answers to important questions prior to walking down the aisle. Consider the following list of topics for discussion to have with any potential spouse.

• What do you want to change about me? Is there something about the other person that you really think needs work? Be open and honest with each other, even if it means the end of the relationship. Better to find out before an expensive wedding and even more expensive divorce.

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 Posted on August 04, 2017 in Divorce

Even for couples who see it coming and accept its inevitable result, a divorce is not an easy experience. Divorcing spouses need all the help they can get and, in addition to the support of family, friends and a competent divorce attorney, software developers have created applications or “apps” for personal devices to help individuals manage certain aspects of divorced life.

Find an App That Meets Your Needs

When it comes to meticulous and thorough representation, there is no substitute for an experienced divorce lawyer. During the divorce process, issues such as alimony, child custody, visitation and other details can be settled as part of the final divorce decree. However, certain apps are available for

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 Posted on August 01, 2017 in Divorce

Much is written about divorce and the impact it has on the parties involved. A husband and wife who thought their marriage would last forever suddenly find themselves splitting marital assets, and creating schedules to see their children. It seems there is no shortage of articles addressing how wives and children are affected by divorce, and rightly. Just as important are the adjustments and coping skills the husband/dad must apply to his new, post-divorce life.

Tips and Tools for the Divorced Dad

Divorced dads must now navigate new and uncharted territory; helping raise children under very unique circumstances and with a whole new set of rules. While the divorce decree may establish certain details about support and visitation, there are things the divorced dad must come to realize on his own.

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 Posted on July 27, 2017 in Spousal Support

Life is full of changes. New houses, new jobs, new children, new expenses and the list goes on. Even after a divorce is finalized changes occur for both former spouses, and those changes may allow one or the other to seek an alimony modification.

Yes, you read that right. An alimony modification may be made if either party experiences a change in circumstances that impact either the amount needed or amount available to be paid. A knowledgeable alimony modification attorney can help either the payor or payee seek the relief that allows each to continue managing their incomes and expenses.

Reasons to Seek an Alimony Modification

Sometimes the spouses can come to an agreement for support modification on their own, but any oral agreement is difficult to enforce should one party decide they no longer wish to honor it. With the assistance of an experienced alimony modification attorney, there are several options to consider when seeking a change in the amount of alimony paid.

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 Posted on July 25, 2017 in Divorce

To many people, the thought of a divorce conjures up images of nasty courtroom battles, accusations of wrongdoing, and drawn out negotiations over the division of marital assets. While lingering acrimony might not be avoided completely, use of No Fault or Uncontested divorce options provide an opportunity to avoid some of the unpleasantness that often accompanies the end of a marriage.

To understand the benefits of each, it is important to know how the state defines each term.

• An “uncontested divorce” results when both parties are in full agreement of all the terms related to the divorce including, but not limited to alimony, child support, child custody, visitation, and division of property.
• A “no fault divorce” is a decree of divorce issued when neither party admits to marital misconduct. This is frequently referred to “irreconcilable differences.”

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 Posted on July 20, 2017 in Child Custody

Every year the holidays arrive, bringing with them joy, togetherness, and stress. The stress of the holidays is felt more by some than others, but for divorced couples and their children, holiday stress may rise to new levels. The question of where the children will spend the holidays is often the source of much anxiety.

Holiday Scheduling Strategies

Sometimes during the course of divorce proceedings, parents may wish to include an annual holiday visitation schedule as part of a custody plan. However, sometimes scheduling visitation for the holidays is left to the parents. Here are few ideas that may help.

• Alternating years allows children to spend Thanksgiving, for example, with the father one year and with their mother the next.
• Alternating days, if travel time and distance permits, may allow for the children to spend Christmas Eve with one parent and Christmas Day with the other.

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 Posted on July 18, 2017 in Child Support

During divorce proceedings that involve custody and parenting rights of minor children, judges and attorneys refer to applicable laws intended to create a mutually-agreeable outcome. As divorce laws in Illinois undergo a multi-year overhaul, changes to laws governing child custody, now referred to as “parental responsibilities,” were enacted a little over one year ago.

While new laws take into consideration the realities of the modern, dual-income household, final custody decisions place the welfare and well-being of the child(ren) as its primary concern and could result in either joint or sole custody orders.

Basic Parental Responsibilities Detailed in a Child Custody Plan

The state identified a series of basic needs that must be maintained for each child, and the responsibility of each may fall on one or both parents, depending on the final custody order. Among the core responsibilities that are the duty of parents to maintain for children in their care, and must be detailed in a Parenting Plan are:

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