Family law courts routinely make decisions on monumental issues, such as child custody, property division issues, and alimony determinations. Thus, it is no surprise that a large number of people leave the courtroom, disappointed by the decision-making process and the determinations that were made.

Fortunately, sometimes people can contest unwanted outcomes. If you truly believe that your family law case has been wrongly decided, it may be possible to pursue an appeal. It is important to understand that simply being unhappy with the court ruling does not entitle you to an appeal. An appeal is only plausible if the decision is truly incorrect. If you believe the grounds that lead to the court’s decision in your family law case were falsely established, it may be time to explore the possibility of an appeal.

Understanding the Appeal Process

An appeal is defined as the process in which an appellant (the person requesting the appeal) does not believe their case was properly decided and requests examination of the decision from a higher court. In the state of Illinois, family law appeals are always first reviewed by the appellate court of the state of Illinois.

According to the National Highway Traffic Association (NHTSA), upwards of 1.6 million Americans are convicted of Driving Under the Influence each year. Here in the state of Illinois, drunk driving continues to pose a massive threat for law enforcement officials, as just under 2,000 people were arrested for driving drunk in the greater Chicago area, throughout 2017. Even with the sheer number of DUI arrests, a conviction can come with massive implications. If you are arrested on charges of a DUI, it is important to meet with a legal representative and explore your options, moving forward.

The Impact of a DUI

Here in the state of Illinois, a DUI conviction comes with legal ramifications that can change your life forever. A first conviction is a Class A Misdemeanor, and it comes with a year-long driving ban and suspension of vehicle registration. The real impact of a DUI conviction comes in the financial impact of hiring a legal team, the misdemeanor on your permanent record (impacting future job opportunities and potential bank loans in the future), and the recognition of the fact that a second conviction could be incredibly damaging.

The Impact of Additional DUI Convictions

The second, third, and fourth DUI convictions can come with severe criminal punishment. While a second conviction still represents a Class A misdemeanor and typically only results in minimal jail time, a third conviction within the state of Illinois can have a monumental impact on one’s life. According to Illinois State Law, a third DUI conviction constitutes a Class A Felony that may result in the loss of driving privileges for a minimum of ten years. Additionally, the convicted party will face a $2,500 fine and potential jail time of up to 90 Days in prison. In the event of a fourth DUI conviction, the driver will face a Class 2 Felony Charge, revoked driving privileges for life, potentially substantial jail time, and a possible fine of $5,000.

Every year, thousands of American couples make the difficult decision to get a divorce. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 800,000 divorces occur throughout the United States on an annual basis. While some divorces can be a seamless transition into a new life for both partners, some divorces can be contested. Divorce settlements are routinely complicated by issues such as child custody, resource allocation, and division of property.

If you believe that your former spouse is likely to contest you on any number of issues, it is important to be prepared. Most importantly, it is critical to partner with a legal representative that is eager to fight for your best interest.

Potential Contentious Issues

While no divorce is the same, there are a number of issues of contention that are commonly fought for during a divorce settlement. Listed below are a few issues that may arise during your divorce:

For children in unstable situations, adoption represents a second chance at a healthy upbringing. Thousands of children throughout the United States face negligent or abusive parents, and even once they are brought into the US Foster Care System, they routinely face a revolving door of foster homes and an inability to become comfortable in a normal living situation. According to Children’s Rights, an organization that illuminates some of the hardships that children in foster care face, in 2016 alone, approximately 687,000 children throughout the United States spent time in foster care. In most cases, children remain in foster care for an average of two years, but just under 10% of all children in foster care reside within the system for an astonishing five years.

Fortunately, an incredible 135,000 American children are adopted each year. Adoption can provide children in need with a stable living situation, a nutritious diet, and most importantly, parents that love and support them. According to the Adoption Center, roughly 1 in every 3 American couples have considered adoption. If you believe that adopting a child is the right choice for you and your family, it is time to consider speaking with a trained family law professional.

Adoption Law in Illinois

Here in the state of Illinois, there are four primary types of adoption that are legally sanctioned under the Illinois Adoption Act: international adoptions, agency adoptions, private adoptions, and related adoptions. International adoptions are defined as adoptions involving a child currently residing in another country. Agency adoptions are routinely the easiest to navigate legally because they are adoptions involving a private adoption agency or they are facilitated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Private adoptions occur when a set of biological parents relinquish their rights as parents and place their child in the custody of adoptive parents. Lastly, related adoptions occur when a family member adopts a child of another family member.

Every year, thousands of Illinois couples make the difficult decision to pursue a divorce. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), 29,331 couples throughout the state of Illinois elected to get divorced in 2013. For many people, divorce represents a way out of a psychologically, emotionally, or physically abusive relationship. However, while divorce can be a path out of a bad situation and a step towards a new, healthy life, the divorce process can take a great deal of time to finalize. 

Equipping yourself with a strong understanding of Illinois divorce law can help ensure that you will avoid any unfortunate snags that could prolong your divorce. If you believe that a divorce is the best option for you and your family, it is time to contact a certified legal professional to help guide you through this logistically and emotionally challenging process. 

Understanding the Basics of Illinois Divorce Law 

In the state of Illinois, a divorce is legally referred to as a dissolution of marriage. According to Illinois state a law, a couple can only file for dissolution if one of the spouses has lived in the state for a minimum of 90 days. In the event that your spouse does not reside in the state of Illinois, the court still holds the jurisdiction to order a non-resident spouse to pay child support, make spousal maintenance payments, or pay debts accrued while married. That said, divorcing a spouse that lives in a different state can lead to a longer divorce process.