Posted on March 07, 2019 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of Americans elect to pursue a divorce. For many, a divorce can represent a new opportunity for love and life. An individual or couple can reach the decision to separate for a number of reasons. Below we will explore some of the most common reasons for divorce. If you are considering a divorce, it is critical you speak with an experienced legal team that can help you navigate the divorce process.

Top Reasons for Divorce

Divorce rates vary according to state and city. With a 21 ½ percent divorced adult population, East Alton near St. Louis is the divorce capital of Illinois. A recent study published in Couple Family Psychology looked at why most American couples pursue a divorce.

Heated Arguments

In most relationships, the ability to have healthy conversations and disagreements can be vital. That said, at some level, an abundance of arguments can become a problem. Arguing is cited as one of the primary reasons for roughly 57 percent of divorces. Heated arguments with a partner can impact one's self-esteem and overall emotional health. Moreover, an unhealthy amount of arguments can lead to domestic violence.

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 Posted on February 28, 2019 in Divorce

For children, witnessing the breakdown of their parents' marriage can be an emotionally traumatizing experience. When teenage children are involved in a divorce, it is especially important to consider their feelings and discuss the separation with them. Navigating the academic rigors and social aspects of high school can be difficult enough, and the challenges of adolescence are often amplified during a divorce. Below are a few ways to assist your teenage child through the divorce process.

Steps You Can Take

Helping your child understand the reasons behind your separation and the necessity for a divorce can be an incredibly challenging dialogue to engage in. Still, when parenting teenage children, it can be wise to have as many conversations as possible. Be sure to consider the following:

• Discuss Custody: While decisions about child custody and parenting time are made by the parents or, in some cases, by a judge, children's wishes may play a role in these decisions. It can be highly beneficial to have discussions with your teenage children about what they would like to happen after your divorce. Ensuring that your child will be able to spend significant time with both parents can help to lower any anxiety they may have about the divorce.

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 Posted on February 26, 2019 in Divorce

While a divorce can represent a new opportunity for two parties to find independent happiness in their lives, most people view divorce as a negative thing. When many people think about the divorce process, they picture lengthy court battles and volatile arguments between former spouses. However, many divorces can be calmly and amicably executed, as long as both parties strive to maintain a working relationship throughout the process.

Working Towards a Conflict-Free Separation

In 2017 alone, 787,251 American couples chose to get divorced. While some of those divorces may have been aggressive and unhealthy, many divorces can represent a seamless transition into a new chapter of one's life. Still, in order to ensure a healthy separation, one must work diligently with their partner to avoid conflicts. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to ensure that your divorce goes as smoothly as possible:

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 Posted on February 14, 2019 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of Americans choose to file for divorce. In many cases, the couples elect to separate amicably, and they may believe that their divorce will be a seamless transition into independent life. Some people are so confident in the mutual nature of the separation that they elect to represent themselves throughout the divorce process. This process is known as pro se divorce litigation.

People may decide to navigate the divorce process without the guidance of a legal professional for a number of different reasons. The couple may believe they can separate peacefully, there may be no children or substantial assets involved, or a person may not believe they can afford an attorney. Regardless of the rationale behind the decision to pursue pro se divorce litigation, the consequences of self-representation can be crippling to your future. If you are seeking a divorce, your best option is to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as possible.

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 Posted on February 12, 2019 in Domestic Violence

On February 8th, 2019, a man shot and killed his wife in their home in Blaine, Minnesota. The 46-year-old victim had served her husband divorce papers the previous November, but the couple continued to live together. While it has not yet been established whether or not the marriage was violent prior to the tragic incident, for victims of abusive relationships, the event served as a startling reminder of the risks of staying in a situation involving domestic violence. If you are seeking a way out of an unhealthy or abusive relationship, our legal team can work with you to expedite the divorce process and help you obtain the protection you need.

The Risks of Domestic Violence

According to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50% of homicides with female victims are committed by intimate partners of the victim. It is important to understand the urgency to escape a violent relationship. Listed below are a few reasons why it is important to leave a violent or abusive situation as quickly as possible:

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 Posted on February 08, 2019 in Family Law

Preparing for a wedding is a time of love and happiness. Discussions about the location of the wedding, who to invite, and the potential of children down the road can all be fun conversations. However, some discussions are much more difficult to prepare for. Broaching the subject of a prenuptial agreement with your partner can be one of the most difficult conversations of your life, but it can also be one of the most important. In the case of a divorce, the lack of a prenuptial agreement could cost you.

When Is a Prenup Needed?

A prenuptial agreement is a document that details exactly what will happen to a couple's finances in the event of divorce, including how certain property will be divided and whether one spouse will pay financial support to the other. In certain circumstances, a prenup can be incredibly important, ensuring that you have a secure financial future, no matter what happens in your marriage. A prenuptial agreement can be especially helpful if you have children from a prior marriage, if one party owns a business, or if you or your partner have significant assets going into the marriage. If you believe that a prenuptial agreement is important to securing your financial well-being, speak with a qualified family law team.

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 Posted on February 05, 2019 in Divorce

A recent scientific study concluded that the divorce rate has been steadily rising over the past four decades. The study, which was published by a pair of sociologists at the University of California at Irvine, analyzed divorce statistics from 1970 to 2008 in countries from around the world, including India, Russia, and a number of Scandinavian nations, and it found that the divorce rate in most countries is primarily dictated by economic and religious factors. With more and more couples around the globe considering a separation, it is fascinating to look at the factors that are contributing to the steady rise in divorce.

Primary Factors in Divorce Trends

After conducting the four-decade study on divorce rates within 83 different countries, the results were clear: the divorce rate is rising in countries with increased economic development. This may be attributed to a variety of reasons, including:

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 Posted on January 25, 2019 in Child Custody

For most parents navigating the divorce process, every decision is centered around the well-being of their children. A divorce can be an incredibly difficult emotional process for all members of the family, but watching parents separate can be especially challenging for children to process.

Some parents elect to fight for sole custody in their divorce. This decision can be based on a number of factors, primarily relating to one spouse's doubts regarding the other spouse's ability to navigate parenting responsibilities. Yet, if both parties still believe in the other spouse's parenting ability, it may be best to begin discussing the possibility of a shared custody parenting plan.

How Shared Custody Can Impact Your Child

According to statistics compiled by the United States Census Bureau, there are approximately 13.4 sole-custody parents living in the United States. In some cases, sole-custody is the right decision to make for your child's well-being, but there are numerous benefits to exploring the possibility of shared custody.

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 Posted on January 24, 2019 in Divorce

When navigating a standard divorce process, both parties must understand that their actions will be under extreme scrutiny. Your life habits, occupation, and living situation will all play a part in how a judge makes decisions on various issues regarding the separation. In any family law case, a criminal charge can have a monumental impact on the manner in which the judge will rule. If you have been accused of a crime during your divorce, it is crucial to notify your attorney as soon as possible.

Crimes During Divorce

The divorce process can be an incredibly stressful time for all parties involved. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that many people commit a criminal offense during their divorce. Listed below are the most commonly committed crimes that can severely impact a family law case:

Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Although turning to drugs or alcohol during stressful times usually tends to be a bad idea, many people increase their alcohol intake during their divorce. Here in the state of Illinois, a DUI charge can lead to extensive fines, loss of driving privileges, and even potential jail time.

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 Posted on January 18, 2019 in Divorce

For the thousands of Americans that elect to pursue a divorce each year, separating from a former-spouse can be an incredibly positive life-changing decision. However, parties must be prepared to live independently once the divorce process is finalized. Financial independence is, arguably, one of the more difficult aspects to master, post-divorce. As such, it is critical that parties start to prepare for financial independence as soon as possible. One of the best places to start is to consult with a seasoned divorce lawyer about the health of your finances, and how the divorce could impact it, moving forward.

Steps to Securing Financial Stability

Once your divorce has been finalized, you need to act quickly to ensure long-term financial security. A quality attorney can help you develop an action plan, and begin working towards financial independence.

Develop a New Budget: After your divorce, it is important to recognize that you are no longer able to count on the income of your former spouse. The development of an independent budget can help you make decisions about what kind of housing options you can afford, what extracurricular activities your children can participate in, and whether or not you need to make various changes to your lifestyle. Budgeting for your new lifestyle can be a laborious task, but it can also save you from an unsustainable financial future.

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