Posted on September 14, 2018 in Family Law

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.

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 Posted on September 12, 2018 in Divorce

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.

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 Posted on September 07, 2018 in Divorce

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:

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 Posted on September 05, 2018 in 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.

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 Posted on August 31, 2018 in Divorce

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.

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 Posted on August 28, 2018 in Divorce

Despite the fact that over 800,000 divorces occur throughout the United States each year, many Americans still view divorce as a worst-case scenario. Divorce can bring a number of complications into your life, including child custody battles, disagreements about property division, and in many cases, a move away from your old home. However, for many married Americans, divorce represents a way out of an unhealthy relationship.

Why a Divorce Can Be Better Than a Bad Marriage:

According to studies conducted by The United States Census Bureau, 41% of first-time marriages end in divorce. While many Americans falsely believe that divorce represents a failure in their lives, in reality, divorce can represent the healthiest option for you and your loved ones. Below are five reasons a divorce could be the best decision you can make:

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 Posted on August 23, 2018 in Divorce

For the thousands of Americans that go through the divorce process each year, change can be a welcome sight. For many couples, divorce represents a breath of fresh air after fights over their relationship, parenting responsibilities, and finances. Many people elect to move away from the area they lived in during their marriage and find a new place for them and their family to live. If you are considering a post-divorce relocation, there are many things you should think about before making the move. Below are five considerations you should evaluate before deciding on your new home:

1. The Real-Estate Market

When deciding on a new place to live after your divorce, it is important to understand the landscape of the real estate market. Are the housing prices higher or lower than your previous town or city? Is the rental market diverse enough to enable you to find the right fit for you and your children? Are there affordable neighborhoods with vibrant and safe community atmospheres? Asking these questions before you dive in to a new location can be immensely important in ensuring you find the house that is right for your family.

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 Posted on August 21, 2018 in Child Custody

When dealing with the emotions of divorce, children often struggle to come to terms with the end of their parents' relationship. The uncertainty that comes with the major changes in their lives can cause children to experience stress, anxiety, and depression. For children going through a divorce, the more emotional support they can get, the better. Because of this, many courts elect to appoint an attorney to deal with issues related specifically to the children involved in a divorce case.

This type of attorney is most commonly referred to as a guardian ad litem (GAL), and they are routinely appointed in cases involving child custody disputes, domestic abuse incidents, and issues related to child support. If you are in the midst of a divorce, and you believe the well-being of your children may be at risk, asking your legal team about the possibilities of appointing a guardian ad litem may be critically important in ensuring your child ends up in the healthiest living situation.

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 Posted on August 16, 2018 in Child Support

According to the United States Census Bureau, upwards of 25% of American children under the age of 21 have one parent living outside their primary household. While ultimately, the role of the custodial parent is the most critical aspect of proper childhood development, many children rely on financial support from their non-custodial parent. Child support payments can be crucial in helping a parent pay for essentials such as food, school tuition, school supplies, and many other vital ingredients to a healthy upbringing.

Throughout the United States, as many as 21.4 million children live with only one custodial parent. If you are expecting to take on the challenge of being a single parent, child support can be monumental in ensuring a financially healthy future for you and your family. Finding competent and experienced legal representation can make all the difference in guaranteeing your family receives the child support you deserve.

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 Posted on August 09, 2018 in Alimony

Every divorce is completely unique in various ways, but almost all divorces come with unanticipated complications. Whether these complications include child custody, asset division, or prenuptial agreements, divorce proceedings can be long, tiring, and emotionally trying. In the vast majority of divorce cases, finances become a top priority for both parties and their legal teams, and in many cases, the biggest financial issue becomes the financial dependency of one of the spouses.

Spousal maintenance (also known as alimony or spousal support) ensures that a spouse who earns less than their ex-partner does not suffer from financial problems in the aftermath of the divorce. A spousal maintenance plan requires a higher-earning spouse to make payments to their ex-spouse for a certain period of time following the divorce, allowing them to meet their financial needs until they can become self-sufficient.

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