Posted on November 05, 2018 in Family Law

For thousands of American couples, adoption offers the opportunity to complete their family unit. Adoption represents a beautiful decision for a couple looking for a child, and a child in need of loving parents. According to studies conducted by the National Survey of Adoptive Parents (NSAP), more than 600,000 children in foster homes throughout the United States are adopted by permanent custody parents each year. Making the decision to adopt represents a truly life-changing decision for all parties involved. If you and your family, are contemplating adopting, it may be time to contact a family law attorney to assist you with some of the complex legal proceedings involved in every adoption.

Common Adoption Misconceptions

When making the decision to adopt, prospective parents are posed with a number of important questions, but they may also be presented with common misconceptions about adoption.

My Adopted Child Won't Love Me: When contemplating adoption, many parents wonder whether or not their adopted child will love them as if they were their birth parents. This notion is a common adoption misconception; in all reality, the vast majority of adopted children have a wonderful relationship with their adopted parents. In fact, according to the NSAP, approximately 90% of children over age 5 have positive feelings about their adoption. Children simply need a home and loving parents.

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 Posted on October 30, 2018 in Divorce

In many divorce cases, one spouse elects to pursue a divorce based on the poor decisions of the other spouse. Some of the most common reasons for divorce include one spouse having an affair, one spouse recklessly spending money, or one spouse no longer carrying their weight as a parent. Still, in some divorces, both parties believe that separation is the best option for all parties involved. In these cases, a settlement may not be necessary, and a mediation may be the right choice for you and your former spouse.

What is a Mediation?

Mediation is the process in which you and your former-spouse meet with a neutral third-party and work to resolve the biggest issues holding up the finalization of the divorce process. Those most commonly discussed during a mediation include custodial responsibilities, child support payments, allocation of retirement finances, and distribution of property. A mediation is conducted outside the standard court process. When a divorce case is taken to court, in many cases, neither party walks away with what they wanted. A mediation represents a process in which neither party needs to agree until they absolutely want to.

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 Posted on October 25, 2018 in Divorce

A recent study conducted by a University of Maryland sociology professor, using data from the United States Census Bureau, found that divorce rates have been dropping steadily since 2008. In fact, in the eight-year period between 2008 and 2016, divorce rates have dropped an incredible 18%, nationwide. Yet, in all reality, the declining divorce rate has more to do with a smaller married population than an increase in healthier marriages. It is important to remember that removing yourself from an unhealthy marriage is almost always the best option for you and your family.

Millennials Are Not Marrying Young

Today's young adult population has seemingly learned from the mistakes of their elders. Millennials are overwhelmingly electing to wait to get married until they are older, a decision that is directly leading to a declining divorce rate nationwide. In past generations, like the “Baby Boomers”, many American couples would marry at a young age, have children, get divorced, and remarry. Millennials, it seems, are less inclined to marry before they are absolutely ready to do so.

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 Posted on October 23, 2018 in Child Custody

Thousands of American couples divorce each year - but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Divorces can offer disgruntled spouses a new opportunity to find love and excitement in their lives. Yet for parents, getting a divorce can come with major complications. Separating parents are posed with hard-hitting questions like: Where will our children live? Will I still get to see my kids? How will this impact our children's development?

In many cases, the easiest solution to all these questions comes in the form of a joint-custody parenting agreement. A joint-custody parenting agreement is defined as a court order in which parenting responsibility is given to both parties, and both parents are named custodial parents. If you believe that a divorce is the best option for you and your family, it may be time to contact a knowledgeable team of divorce lawyers.

Simple Tips to Successful Joint-Custody Parenting

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 Posted on October 18, 2018 in Divorce

When considering a divorce, children are often at the forefront of the discussion. Sadly, there are hundreds of couples who elect to stay in unhealthy relationships as a means of ensuring their children have a home with both spouses, but what happens when you disagree with the parenting tactics of your spouse? More importantly, what should you do if your spouse is parenting your children in an abusive manner?

Child abuse can cause irreparable harm to a child's mental psyche and emotional development. If you believe your child is being abused by your spouse, it is time to contact law enforcement officials and seek out legal guidance.

Different Types of Abusive Parenting

While most people assume that child abuse can only come through the form of physical violence, abusive parenting is not limited to physical harm. Verbal abuse, such as belittling and violent yelling, can also result in childhood trauma.

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 Posted on October 15, 2018 in Domestic Violence

Every single year, approximately 10 million Americans face some form of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can come in the form of physical violence, emotional abuse, and sexual misconduct, but regardless of the form, the abused party needs to remove themselves from the situation. When speaking with a loved one or a friend that is in an abusive relationship, it is important to know what to say, and how to say it. Domestic abuse continues to be a tragically prominent issue here in the United States, as 1 in 7 American women have been abused by a partner. If you or a loved one is in the midst of an abusive relationship, contact law enforcement officials as soon as possible, and meet with a legal professional that can help you move away from the dangerous situation.

What To Say To a Domestic Abuse Victim

As a friend or a family member of a domestic abuse victim, you have a responsibility to help your loved one remove themselves from the situation. Knowing what to say through these difficult conversations can make all the difference in ensuring that your loved one can safely escape the dangerous relationship.

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 Posted on October 11, 2018 in Divorce

Every year, thousands of American couples choose to file for divorce. Divorce can be brought on for a multitude of reasons, but it does create complications in family dynamics. For couples with children, the decision to pursue a divorce can be incredibly difficult. Even more difficult is the conversation that parents must have with their children. If you are considering a divorce, involving your children in the divorce process can be critically important to their emotional development as well as their understanding of their new home life.

Why These Conversations Are Important

Approximately half of all American children will witness the separation of their parents. While divorce oftentimes represents a healthier growing environment in comparison to an unhealthy married household, parents contemplating divorce need to help their children understand why they are separating. Studies conducted have found that children who experience a divorce in the household are more likely to experience depression, decline academically, and struggle with substance abuse. Children who experience a divorce are more than twice as likely to drop out of high school. Even later in life, children of divorce are more likely to experience psychological challenges such as anxiety, loneliness, and insecurity. All that said, a divorce can save a child from experiencing an abusive or dysfunctional home life.

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 Posted on October 09, 2018 in Divorce

When contemplating a divorce, parents have more to think about than just their relationship. While no one wants to stay in an unhealthy relationship, parents oftentimes choose to remain in toxic relationships, due to financial concerns, insecurity, and the wellbeing of their children. For many parents, the thought of a separation is quelled by the notion that they will no longer be able to support their children. Even those that believe they will receive child support payments have questions about their long-term ability to support their children's dreams. No question is bigger than "Will I be able to help my child go to college?"

Fortunately, the state of Illinois has laws that can help sole-custody parents continue to receive child support for a non-minor child's education expenses. If you want to help your child attend a quality university but are worried that your former spouse may not contribute, it may be time to contact a family law team that will represent your family's best interest.

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 Posted on October 04, 2018 in Domestic Violence

In the vast majority of marriages, fighting starts and ends in verbal quarrels. Still, there are thousands of marriages throughout the United States in which one spouse faces domestic abuse from their partner. Here in the state of Illinois, there are more than 40,000 adult survivors of domestic abuse, and approximately 8,000 child witnesses. While escaping a toxic domestic situation can be difficult, remaining in one can be dangerous for you and your children. If you experience domestic abuse, contact law enforcement personnel as soon as possible.

Domestic Violence Throughout the United States

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), more than ten million Americans face domestic abuse each year. Domestic abuse disproportionately impacts women, as approximately 1 in 3 women in the U.S. experience abuse in an intimate relationship. When facing domestic violence in a marital relationship, it is critically important for the victim to remove themselves from the situation. Victims of prolonged domestic abuse are more likely to face issues of post-traumatic stress, depression, and even thoughts of self-harm.

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 Posted on September 28, 2018 in Divorce

Here in the state of Illinois, divorce rates have steadily declined since the 1990's. Still, hundreds of Illinoisans make the difficult decision to divorce from their spouse, every year. Nationwide, thousands of Americans get divorced on an annual basis. These divorces can be brought on by infidelity, unhealthy parenting dynamics, and a lack of love for the spouse. Yet, in many cases, the decision to pursue a divorce is considered due to one issue: the reckless and irresponsible spending of a spouse.

Staying in a relationship with a partner that recklessly spends money, can ultimately compromise the financial security of you and your family. If your partner, is behaving in a financially reckless manner, it may be time to consider contacting a divorce attorney.

Signs That Your Financial Health Is At Risk

Understanding when it is time to make an emotional relationship change based on financial security can be challenging. It is important to know when to get out of a financially reckless relationship before it is too late. If your partner begins making decisions that impact your savings or retirement, is spending large quantities of money without consulting you or is lying to you about the landscape of your financial future, it may be time to consider a divorce. Making the decision to remove yourself from a relationship based on finances, can feel cold, but after all other avenues have been explored, a divorce may be the right, and only, option.

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