Typically in the state of Illinois, when you get divorced and you and your spouse have a child together, one spouse will pay child support to the spouse who has the majority of parenting time allocated to them. The monetary amount that is paid in child support depends on a number of factors that can change depending on your circumstances and sometimes the child support payment needs to be increased or decreased. Navigating child support modifications can be a tricky and lengthy process unless you have the help from an experienced attorney. Factors Used to Determine Child Support Payments

There are a multitude of factors that are used when determining if child support is needed and what the amount will be. These factors include:

• The needs of the child;
• The financial resources of the parents;
• The standard of living the child is used to; and
• The physical and emotional condition of the child.

Can I Modify My Support Orders?

One child support orders are put into effect, they are not necessarily set in stone. You can petition to have them changed if you can prove that there was a substantial change in circumstances. These types of changes can include:

• A significant change in income, generally a 10 percent difference;
• A change in expenses;
• A change in location;
• Increase or decrease in health insurance rates; and
• A need to provide for health care needs of the child.

Steps to Modifying Existing Child Support Orders If you have an existing child support order that you wish to modify, there are certain steps that you must take to achieve the modification. 1. Fill out and file a petition with the circuit court of the county in which you reside. The petition is the formal document that asks the judge to oversee your case. 2. Tell the other parent about the request you have submitted for a modification to the existing support. You should send a copy of the petition to the other parent and then file a certificate of mailing in the court to certify that you have made an attempt to notify the other parent. 3. Once you select or have a hearing date selected for you, you must also mail a copy of the hearing date to the other parent. 4. When you attend your hearing, you should tell the judge:

• The existing child support amount;
• Why you think a modification needs to be made;
• What you think the new child support amount should be.

If the judge grants your request for modification, he or she will sign the Order Modifying Child Support and the Uniform Order of Support, copies of which should be mailed to the other parent if they were not present. Get Help From an Experienced Child Support Modification Attorney

Divorce is stressful and it gets even more so when there are children involved. When your child support orders were created, they may have been fine, but as time goes on, circumstances change and the orders may need to be modified. If you believe that your child support orders should be amended, you should contact a skilled DuPage County child support lawyer to help you with the details. Contact the Law Offices of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. to discuss your case. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

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There are a lot of things to think about when you get a divorce. There is the house, the kids, your bank accounts—you name it. When you get a divorce, your lawyers write up what is called a divorce settlement, a legal document that lays out all the terms of your marriage, who is allocated which property, how parental responsibilities are allocated and the terms of child support or spousal maintenance, if it is required.

All of these things can be difficult to negotiate and can leave you worrying if you are getting what you deserve. All of this worry turns into stress and when you are stressed, you are not yourself. Even though divorce can be tolling, it is important for you to remember to stay as calm as possible. Here are five tips to reduce stress during your divorce. Identify Your Stress Triggers Even though stress is a very predictable side effect of divorce, it is not healthy for you. Not only can it take a toll on your emotional health, your physical health is also at risk. Once you identify what the causes of your stress are, you can take steps to eliminate them or reduce their effect on you. Keep Up With Your Health During a divorce, you can forget to take care of yourself while you are wrapped up in other matters. Eating lots of healthy fruits and vegetables and making sure you are drinking plenty of water is a good way to help yourself feel physically well. It is also important that you get plenty of sleep and you exercise a few times a week. If you feel good physically, it will help you feel good emotionally. Talk with Others Keeping in touch with friends or family during your divorce is important--they can offer you the moral support that you need during this time in your life. This is also the time for you to cut toxic people out of your life so that you can be surrounded with positivity. Seeing a professional is also always an option if you feel you would benefit from sharing your thoughts with one. This can be a good way to vent about the stressors in your life. Set Realistic Expectations It is only natural and healthy that you set goals for yourself, but it is also important to remember that you should set these goals with your specific situation in mind. You should try to remember that you need to set realistic expectations for yourself and others in your life during your divorce. Setting unrealistic expectations can be a major source of stress if you do not accomplish what you hope to get done in the time that you wanted. Contact an Aurora Divorce Lawyer

It is not a secret--divorce is stressful. You are going through one of the most difficult times in your life and a lot of things in your future are uncertain. Even though divorce can be stressful by nature, it does not have to be. With the help of an experienced DuPage County divorce attorney, you can get the peace of mind that you need. Contact the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. to discuss your situation and easily move forward with your divorce. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

 

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You have probably been thinking about this event since the day your child was born. High school graduation is a mark in a child’s life that symbolizes their path to adulthood. They might be going off to college and your life might be changing forever. What you may not have thought about was the fact that you are divorced now. If you have gone through a rather troublesome divorce, attending events like these can be stressful for all involved--but they do not have to be. Here are some tips on how to behave civilly during your child’s special day:

Plan Ahead

Oftentimes, events such as graduations limit the number of tickets that each family is allotted to attend the event. If this is the case, you should plan ahead and make sure that you and your spouse have an equal number of tickets to allow all of your family members to attend the event. If need be, you should try to find additional tickets if you or your spouse have more family members than tickets.

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Even though the notion of planning for the end of your marriage before you are even married is not the most romantic thought, it is smart decision making. A prenuptial agreement is a legal document that dictates how each spouse’s assets are divided if the marriage ends in divorce. There are quite a few things that a prenuptial agreement can--and should--contain. Premarital Assets and Debts You should make a list of your assets and debts that are currently in your name and that you acquired before your marriage. These assets can be anything from savings and brokerage accounts, a car, jewelry or a house. You and your spouse should be upfront with each other about assets that you are bringing into the marriage. You should also discuss how you will handle the division of premarital assets and debts in the event that they become intertwined with marital property. Marital Property In general, marital property is any asset or debt that is acquired during the marriage. The prenuptial agreement should spell out how you handle the assets and income that you gain during the marriage. You could possibly split marital property 50/50, or you could distribute the marital property as equitably as possible, meaning it may not be 50/50. This can save you a lot of time in the future if you do end up getting divorced. Spousal Support Though you are not required to have a section for spousal support in a prenuptial agreement, it can be extremely helpful to have your wishes down if you do get a divorce. Depending on you and your spouse’s assets, living expenses and other things, you may be entitled to spousal support. If your prenuptial agreement contains clauses about spousal support, the courts must follow the agreement’s terms. Get Support from an Aurora Prenuptial Agreement Attorney

Prenuptial agreements are becoming more and more popular and are losing the stigma that they once held. This is due partly because couples are tending to enter into marriage with a lot more assets than they did 40 years ago. If you are engaged and think a prenuptial agreement is right for you, a skilled DuPage County prenuptial agreement attorney can help you draft an agreement that fits your needs. Contact the Law Offices of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. at 630-409-8184 to set up a consultation.

 

Source:

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/gpsolo/publications/gpsolo_ereport/2012/march_2012/premarital_agreement_issues_checklist.html

Divorce is a giant change of pace in a family’s life. Parents know that divorce can be difficult for children to adapt to and can cause undue emotional distress. They work to minimize the effects of divorce on their children, which is how a fairly new parenting arrangement has come around. This arrangement is called “nesting,” which is a very child-centered approach to allocating parenting time. What Is Nesting? Nesting is a co-parenting arrangement where parents continue to share the family home and take turns living there to take care of the children. Rather than getting used to moving back and forth between two separate homes, the children reside full time in the family home that they are used to. The goal of nesting is to maintain a stable home for the children while the divorce is changing the aspects of the family’s life. Can Nesting Work for You? Because nesting involves high levels of cooperation and communication between the two parents, this type of arrangement usually only works with parents who are on good terms with each other. Minimal conflict is key for nesting to work--parents must be willing to put their children's’ well being ahead of their own. The family must also be able to provide some sort of other living arrangements for the parents when they are not at the family home--it can get expensive to sustain two living quarters, plus the family home. Advantages of Nesting

There are many advantages of this alternative type of child custody arrangement. Advantages of nesting include:

• Stability for the children;
• Children get quality time with each parent;
• Promotes communication and cooperation between parents; and
• Can give parents time to sort out divorce matters, such as housing.

Nesting can also realign parents’ focus to what really matters most--their children. Their children will be the common factor between the two once the divorce is finalized. Nesting allows parents to learn how to work together as two single people. Consult with an Aurora Child Custody Attorney

Nesting is an optimal solution to child custody arrangements during or after a divorce. With nesting, children maintain a stable living environment in order to minimize the effects of divorce. While this seems like a good idea, for some divorcing couples, it may not be possible. If you are going through a divorce and you need help making custody arrangements, you can benefit from the help of an Illinois child custody attorney. Contact the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. to figure out which custody arrangement is right for you. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

 

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When you go through a divorce, you may end up with monthly payments that are made to you from your ex for spousal maintenance. If you and your ex had children, you may also have child support payments that your child receives each month. Many times, a person depends on one or both of these payments to maintain their standard of living. If you have existing support orders, your ex is legally required to make these payments and can face severe consequences if they are not made. When Is Failure of Support Committed?

According to the Illinois Non-Support Punishment Act, a person is committing the offense of failure to support when they:

• Willfully refuse to provide for the support or maintenance of his or her spouse or child, knowing that they need the support, and have the ability to do so;
• Willfully fails to make a support obligation required under a support order, if the obligation has not been paid in six months, or has more than $5,000 in accrued unpaid support and the person has the ability to provide the support;
• Leaves the state with the intent to evade a support obligation required under an order for support and the amount owed is more than $10,000; and
• Willfully fails to pay a support obligation required under an order for support and the obligation has remained unpaid for more than a year, or the amount owed is more than $20,000 and the person is able to provide the support.

Consequences of Failing to Pay Support Illinois has strict laws against failing to pay support if you have the ability to do so. The Non-Support Punishment Act outlines the consequences of not paying support, which can range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony, depending on the specific action taken. Jail time and fines can accompany these charges, along with restitution that the judge orders, which will equal the amount of support owed. In addition to fines and restitution, those who fail to make support payments and are found to have the ability to do so can face driver’s license suspension, wage garnishment, having their tax refunds taken or seizing bank accounts. Seek Help from a DuPage County Support Enforcement Attorney

If you have an ex who is not making the payments that they should be making, you need the help of a skilled and successful Aurora child support enforcement attorney. Family law courts can be confusing and hard to navigate, but you do not have to go through this process alone. The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. can help you investigate your ex’s claims of lack of money or income issues to bring them back in line with your family’s needs. You and your child deserve to get the support that you need. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

 

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For most pet owners, their pets are a part of the family. When a couple gets divorced, one of the issues that may arise is who gets to keep the pet. Prior to 2018, the state of Illinois treated pets like any other piece of property--it was awarded to one of the spouses during the allocation of the couple’s other assets. A new law that was put into place at the beginning of 2018 allows a judge to decide which spouse is the best owner for the pet. A Change in the Law Before the beginning of the year, pets were considered an asset in a marital estate. Usually, the spouse that paid for the animal or had the best financial situation for the animal was allocated the pet in the divorce. This led to some animals losing the pet parent that loved them the most and sometimes a spouse would even fight over the pet out of spite and end up with an animal they did not care about. The new law gives judges the ability to look at the situation and decide what is in the best interest of the pet’s wellbeing. This means that one spouse may end up with full ownership of the pet or both spouses could end up in a joint ownership situation, meaning the arrangement would function similar to a child custody arrangement and the time spent with the pet would be split between both spouses. Deciding Factors

The only animals that the law does not apply to are service animals. Though service animals are companion animals, they provide their owner with assistance and it is important for the animal to stay with the spouse that needs them. For all other animals, judges will look at which spouse provides the necessary elements for the pet’s wellbeing. This can include the judge looking at who:

• Has bonded with the animal;
• Has taken the animal to the veterinarian;
• Takes care of the pet’s day-to-day needs, such as walking or feeding;
• Trained the animal; and
• Has financially provided for the pet.

In addition, the judge can look at factors such as the age of the animal, whether there are other animals or children in the household that the pet has become accustomed to, and whether or not there are breed-specific rules in a different jurisdiction if a relocation is a possibility. Contact a DuPage County Divorce Attorney

If you are a pet owner, you understand the emotional complexities that an animal has. Going into litigation over a pet can be nerve-racking, but with the help of a skilled Aurora divorce attorney, you can ensure that the judge will see that you are the best option for the pet. Contact the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. to see how they can help you protect your most precious asset. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

 

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When you go through a divorce, you may end up with monthly payments that are made to you from your ex for spousal maintenance. If you and your ex had children, you may also have child support payments that your child receives each month. Many times, a person depends on one or both of these payments to maintain their standard of living. If you have existing support orders, your ex is legally required to make these payments and can face severe consequences if they are not made. When Is Failure of Support Committed?

According to the Illinois Non-Support Punishment Act, a person is committing the offense of failure to support when they:

• Willfully refuse to provide for the support or maintenance of his or her spouse or child, knowing that they need the support, and have the ability to do so;
• Willfully fails to make a support obligation required under a support order, if the obligation has not been paid in six months, or has more than $5,000 in accrued unpaid support and the person has the ability to provide the support;
• Leaves the state with the intent to evade a support obligation required under an order for support and the amount owed is more than $10,000; and
• Willfully fails to pay a support obligation required under an order for support and the obligation has remained unpaid for more than a year, or the amount owed is more than $20,000 and the person is able to provide the support.

Consequences of Failing to Pay Support Illinois has strict laws against failing to pay support if you have the ability to do so. The Non-Support Punishment Act outlines the consequences of not paying support, which can range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony, depending on the specific action taken. Jail time and fines can accompany these charges, along with restitution that the judge orders, which will equal the amount of support owed. In addition to fines and restitution, those who fail to make support payments and are found to have the ability to do so can face driver’s license suspension, wage garnishment, having their tax refunds taken or seizing bank accounts. Seek Help From A DuPage County Support Enforcement Attorney

If you have an ex who is not making the payments that they should be making, you need the help of a skilled and successful support enforcement attorney. Family law courts can be confusing and hard to navigate, but you do not have to go through this process alone. The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. can help you investigate your ex’s claims of lack of money or income issues to bring them back in line with your family’s needs. You and your child deserve to get the support that you need. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

 

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Many things can trigger a move after a divorce - a new job, moving to be closer to family or even a new relationship. When a parent wants to relocate a child after a divorce, they must take certain steps to ensure that they are relocating the child legally and not in violation of any current parenting agreements.

What Is Considered Relocating?

According to Illinois law, you are considered to be relocating if you are moving more than 25 miles from the child’s original home if it is within Cook, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, Lake or Will counties or if the new home is out of state. The law also says that if the original home is not within the listed counties, a move is considered relocation if it is more than 50 miles from the child’s original home.

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Divorce is a fairly common thing in the United States, with the Illinois Department of Public Health reporting that 29,331 divorces were granted in the state of Illinois in 2016. Divorce can be a messy process, spanning months, or even years in difficult cases. There are many things to consider, like assets, money, debts and even children. The divorce process can be overwhelming, but with the help of a lawyer, it can be simplified. Filing a Petition

After you have made the decision to file for a divorce, the first step is to file what is called a petition. A petition is simply just the formal way of asking the court of the county where you reside for a divorce. Even if the divorce is a mutual agreement, one spouse must file the petition that will be served to the other. The petition will state the two individuals involved in the divorce, information about the residency requirements and the reason for the divorce. In Illinois, you qualify for divorce if you have lived in the state for more than 90 days. You can choose whether or not you want to state a reason for divorce or if you want to file a no-fault divorce. The state of Illinois recognizes the following as grounds for divorce:

• Habitual mental cruelty;
• Habitual physical cruelty;
• Drug or alcohol abuse;
• Willful desertion or abandonment for one year;
• Adultery;
• Infection with a sexually transmitted disease; and
• Conviction of a felony.

Temporary Orders

The next step in filing for divorce is to gather and fill out all of the documents necessary to reconcile your separation. These forms are called temporary orders and they set rules for family and financial issues during the time that the divorce is being processed. These forms pertain to issues such as:

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If you are going through a divorce, you may wonder if you’re entitled to financial support from your spouse. Spousal maintenance is the term that the state of Illinois uses instead of alimony, though they are the same thing. In the past, courts viewed alimony as payments from the husband to continue his obligation to support his wife. Now, spousal maintenance is awarded to either spouse depending on a variety of factors.

Determining Factors for Spousal Maintenance Eligibility

When you seek maintenance from your spouse, the court will first determine whether or not you are eligible to receive these payments. In Illinois, eligibility determinations are based on these factors:

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The structure of the American family is drastically changing. Even though the majority of children are still raised in households with a married mother and father, that number has been decreasing over the years. According to the Pew Research Center, less than half of American children are living with both of their parents in their first marriage. Family structures in the United States have been changing and now include blended families with step-parents and children, parents who cohabitate and LGBT families. According to The Williams Institute, about half of LGBT women and a fifth of LGBT men are raising a child. The Case Recently, an Illinois court ruled that a woman has parental rights to a child that was conceived in her lesbian marriage. The woman’s former wife had sought a sperm donor to carry the child that was to be raised by the both of them. When the child was born, both parents identified themselves as co-parents on the birth certificate but split seven months after the birth. Even though the woman has no biological connection to the child, she was granted parental rights and partial custody of the child by a Winnebago County court. Determining Parentage Under Illinois law, a person is considered to be a parent of a child if the mother of the child and the person entered into a marriage, civil union, or other legal relationship before the birth of the child and the child was born during the time of the relationship. Using this law, the mother seeking parental rights in the case involving her non-biological child had a right to seek custody. Illinois Parental Rights Laws

According to Illinois law, parents can assert rights involving their non-biological child and they can also be held responsible for providing child support payments.  In the state of Illinois, parental responsibility consists of two things - significant decision-making and parenting time. Significant decision-making consists of things such as:

• Education, including the choice of schools and tutors;
• Health, including all decisions pertaining to the medical, dental and psychological well-being of the child;
• Religion;
• Extracurricular activities; and
• Unless an agreement by both parents is submitted that details the allocation of parental responsibilities, the court will determine which responsibilities are allocated to each parent.

Determining Factors

In the event that the parents can not come to an agreement in determining parental responsibilities, the court will determine the responsibilities that each parent is accountable for. When making these determinations, the court looks at these factors:

• The wishes of the child;
• The child’s adjustment to his or her home, school and community;
• The mental and physical health of the child and both parents;
• The ability of the parents to cooperate, or the level of conflict between them;
• The level of each parent’s past participation in parental responsibilities;
• Any prior agreement between the parents involving parental responsibility;
• The wishes of the parents;
• The child’s needs;
• The distance between the parent’s homes, the difficulty of transporting the child to and from the homes, each person’s daily schedules and the parent’s ability to comply with the arrangement;
• The willingness and ability of each parent to encourage and facilitate a relationship between the other parent and the child;
• The likability of abuse by either parent to the child; and
• Whether one of the parents is a sex offender.

Seek Help from an Illinois Parental Rights Lawyer Navigating the court system when you are seeking custody arrangements for your child is difficult and can be confusing. Having an experienced Illinois parental rights lawyer with you can provide a sense of relief and support. The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. can help you figure out what is best for you and your child. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

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Nobody prepares for divorce when they are engaged, but according to a survey from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, that is exactly what people are doing. Of the members surveyed, 62 percent saw an increase in the number of couples seeking prenuptial agreements over the past three years. Increasing Popularity, Losing Stigma One reason why prenuptial agreements are becoming more common is due to the trend in marriage - more people are waiting until they are older to get married. According to a U.S. Census report, about 8 in 10 people had married by age 30 in the 1970s, but in 2016, the same percentage was not reached until age 45. Because people are waiting longer to get married, they are more likely to have accumulated assets, such as a business or property. A prenuptial agreement is a way for couples to protect these assets in the event of a divorce. Prenuptial Agreements May Be for You

While prenuptial agreements still might ring unromantic for some, they can be right for others. Here are seven situations in which a prenuptial agreement might be right for you.

1. When important assets are involved - When you have assets such as a house, stocks or retirement funds, a prenuptial agreement can protect your personal assets.
2. When children from previous marriages are involved - Many times people have obligations to their previous spouses or children from a previous relationship. Prenuptial agreements can protect certain assets and allocate them to the children.
3. When one partner owns a business - If you own a business and you end up getting a divorce, part of your business may be allocated to your spouse, meaning you may end up with an unwanted partner in your business.
4. When one partner is much wealthier than the other - When there is a major income difference in partners, things can often turn out not in the favor of the wealthier partner.
5. When one partner is much older than the other - If one partner is much older than the other, the older partner may not be able to recover their assets in time for retirement.
6. When debts are involved - When one or both partners have debt going into a marriage, having a prenuptial agreement can ensure that each partner pays for his or her own debt when the marriage is dissolved.
7. When inheritance is expected - If one or both partners expect to gain an inheritance during their marriage, a prenuptial agreement can prevent it from being divided in the case of a separation. A prenuptial agreement can also specify that family heirlooms stay with a specific partner.

Contact an Illinois Prenuptial Attorney If you think that a prenuptial agreement is right for you, you need the help of an experienced Illinois prenuptial attorney to take care of the details. The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams can provide you with guidance and nearly 10 years of expertise. Call 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/why-youre-more-likely-to-have-a-prenup-than-your-parents-were/2017/08/04/51361598-77d8-11e7-9eac-d56bd5568db8_story.html?utm_term=.4744c5cea865

http://aaml.org/sites/default/files/New%20vow%20%E2%80%99Til%20prenup%20do%20us%20part.pdf

It is not uncommon for young couples to get married. In fact, it is almost expected. What seems far less familiar is when a young couple goes through divorce, even after only a few years of marriage. The hard reality is that, regardless of their age or how long they were married, when a couple realizes their marriage just is not working then the best course of action may well be divorce.

Divorcing While Still in Your Twenties

Divorce, regardless of at what age or length of the marriage, is no less emotional for the couple; the decision to end a relationship that was supposed to last forever is rarely easy. However, younger couples may find a smoother, post-divorce path, and when a marriage ends after only a few years, the process tends to be less drawn out for a few key reasons.

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Even the best marriages encounter issues and difficulties that couples must work through in order to make the relationship work. However, sometimes the size of the problem or the sheer number of issues that come between spouses are just too much to overcome. They may fight the notion at first, but eventually, a couple will come to the conclusion that divorce is probably their best course of action.

The Little Things That Add Up

Before the decision is made to seek a divorce from that person you promised to spend the rest of your life with, it is likely an individual encountered and dealt with one or more problem that seemed to drive a wedge into the marriage. Below we will examine some of the issues that plague married couples, which often serve as indicators that divorce is on the horizon.

• If you cannot be open and honest with your spouse for fear of being made to feel inferior or that your vulnerability will be used against you later it may be a sign that your relationship lacks the capacity for healthy communication.
• The expression, “you married their family” is based in reality. Tension between the family members of married couples can create lasting problems in a marriage, testing where one’s loyalties lie.
• Negativity and constant criticism have a way of eroding a good relationship. If often makes one feel like their character is constantly under attack.
• Money is often a big source of tension in a marriage. Lying about finances, expenses, and expenditures not only builds mistrust and harms the financial well-being of the relationship.
• The decision whether or not to have children should be agreed upon prior to a marriage. However, when one has a change of heart it can cause a rift for which there is no repair.

Whatever the Reasons, Rely on the Counsel of an Experienced Aurora Divorce Lawyer

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Having an unfaithful spouse is a big reason why many marriages end in divorce. Infidelity signals a lack of trust, respect, and communication, and often signals the relationship is beyond the point of repair. So, the question is, why do people cheat on their spouse?

Reasons People Cheat

Attempting to pinpoint the reasons for a specific behavior is often a difficult task. However, over the years it seems that a handful of explanations appear to be mentioned most frequently in social studies and anecdotal reviews. Here are some of the more commonly occurring motives spouses admit to when discussing their reasons for straying.

• Boredom: It may seem cliché or even immature, but adults get bored in the bedroom and look for excitement outside their marriage.
•  A need for physical contact and attention: This often occurs when communication breaks down between a couple. When the physical contact and attention ebbs in a marriage, for whatever reason, a spouse may seek that attentiveness they desire from another individual.
•  Lack of intimacy: When things cool off in the bedroom, a spouse may seek to rekindle that passion with another partner.
• Spite or revenge: This frequently occurs when one partner discovers the other was unfaithful, so to “even the score” they go out and have an affair to get back at their spouse.
• Some people think it is okay to cheat: There is evidence to suggest that some adults are conditioned to think cheating is acceptable. This often occurs among those who were exposed to a marriage in which one or both parents were unfaithful.
• Low self-esteem: Individuals who constantly seek the attention and approval of others tend to engage in extramarital affairs. Cheating may be their coping mechanism by which they seek to feel needed or desired.

The summary provided above is not meant to imply that these reasons for cheating are acceptable, or cannot be overcome. In most cases, frequent and honest communication among mature individuals can often help prevent infidelity before it occurs.

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The reasons couples get divorced vary from the very common to quite unique. In some cases, tales of the odd and downright unbelievable accompany court filings. Whether they are true or just some ploy to gain sympathy from the court in an effort to win more a more favorable alimony settlement, there are anecdotes of some very bizarre reasons why individuals have sought a divorce from their spouse.

Examining Some of The Most Bizarre

Infidelity, abuse, chemical dependency, mental illness and even irreconcilable differences are probably some of the most commonly applied reasons for divorce, Here, however, we are taking a look at some of the strangest reasons people filed for divorce from around the world.

• My wife is possessed: Not possessive, but rather possessed … as in, by an evil spirit or the devil. An Italian man used this as his grounds for seeking a no-fault divorce. He even supplied witnesses to his wife’s odd behavior. In the end, he got his divorce.
• Marriage turns ice cold: A Japanese couple filed for divorce after the husband told his wife he really did not care for the animated film, Frozen. She loved the movie and was so put out by her husband’s failure to recognize the film’s greatness that she asked for a divorce.
•  Nice try, but you are still alive: In 2004 man suffered a serious illness during which time his heart stopped beating. In 2007 he filed for divorce claiming he and his wife were no longer legally married since he had died, although not permanently. The judge did not buy it.
• Easy come, easy go: After 25 years of marriage, a woman filed for divorce from her husband, seemingly out of the blue. The man was baffled until he and his lawyers learned the woman won more than one million dollars in the lottery and was hoping to keep it all for herself. No such luck. The judge ordered her to turn over all her winnings to her husband.

Retain a Resourceful Illinois Divorce Lawyer to Help You Gain a Proper Settlement

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When a child custody decision must be made by the court, one of the first jobs is to determine who is and is not a legal parent. A few years ago, the Illinois legislature completed a massive rewrite of the Illinois Parentage Act to better clarify who in a relationship has a parental claim to any children that are part of the union in question.

What the Courts Look At

While the courts and child advocate representatives are required to make decisions based on what is in the best interests of the children in question, other factors may impact who is awarded custody and who earns child visitation rights once a relationship has ended. This is where stipulations set forth in the Illinois Parentage Act spell out that which is to be considered. In the case of determining a relationship between a child and a woman claiming to be the mother, the following scenarios are considered:

• The woman gave birth to the child, EXCEPT in cases that involve a valid contract of surrogacy.
• A complete and valid adoption.
• Custody following completion of a valid surrogacy contract.
• A previous court judgment of the woman’s parentage.
• A previously stipulated acknowledgment of the woman’s parentage.

When determining a man’s claim of parentage, the scenarios considered are similar in nature, but with one obvious exception.

• A legal and voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, unless successfully challenged and rescinded.
• An unrebutted presumption of parenthood.
• A previous court decision acknowledging the man’s parentage.
• Completion of a valid adoption.
• Custody following execution and completion of a legally binding surrogacy contract.

The Illinois Parentage Act guides the process of determining a parent-child relationship. It further authorizes genetic testing, establishes the procedures regarding parents of a child created using means of assisted reproduction and identifies who is obliged in matters of child support.

Rely on an Experienced Illinois Child Custody Attorney for Proven Help

When ongoing custody and questions of visitation are at stake, parents would rather not leave these matters to chance. Seeking the assistance of a knowledgeable DuPage County child custody lawyer will allow you the representation necessary to fight for a fair child custody agreement. The Law Offices of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., are aggressive advocates for our clients, using all the resources available to pursue a fair and favorable outcome. Do not allow your custody case to proceed without qualified representation. Call our offices today at 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

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Perhaps one of the most difficult and emotional parts of any divorce is when the the future and custody of children is involved. This can still weigh heavily even years after a divorce is final when parents enter into a new relationship and combine their children with those from another family whose parents are no longer married.

Unlike Television

When two adults decide to enter into a relationship, especially one that may result in marriage, their children usually have little influence. However, getting married and starting a family that involves the blending of two, previously existing families, definitely comes with some pitfalls to navigate on the path to establishing a happy and healthy household.

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It is not uncommon for a person to say that they were taken by complete surprise when served with divorce papers. When one spouse does not recognize the signs that their marriage is in trouble it often results in great emotional hardship. However, if you are paying attention, there are some signs that are not too hard to miss.

What to Watch For

Now, just because some appears on the list below does not necessarily mean your marriage is headed for divorce. In fact, if caught early enough, many problems or points of contention between couples can be worked out through counseling. However, both spouses must be willing to put their full energy into correcting any problems and committed to ensuring they do not reappear in the future.

• When a spouse is overly judgmental, criticizing every little thing about their partner, it can lead to problems. Spouses need to accept each other for who they are because constant criticism is rarely an effective means for change.
• If a spouse places everything else – work, hobbies, commitments and obligations to friends, for example – before the marriage, problems are likely to arise. To make a marriage work it is important that the couple spend time together.
• Intimacy enhances trust and closeness, and without it, a relationship can die on the vine. This applies to both physical and emotional intimacy. You must work at keeping the intimacy fresh and alive.
• A strong relationship requires that couples engage in some give and take when making decisions. However, when one spouse feels entitled to always getting their way it can throw the marriage out of balance and leave the other partner feeling minimized.
• Marriages require that partners share responsibility equally. Problems can materialize is one spouse is always dominant, or if a spouse is lazy and disinterested when it comes to dealing with marital matters.

With all this talk of sharing and equal partnership, it is important to remember that couples must also maintain a sense of individuality. If they become too dependent on each other that loss of identity can result in serious issues.

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