“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein.
We all know that to find out if a child is yours or not is simply a matter of taking a DNA test. But how do you establish, legally, in Illinois, that you are not the father? How do you deny paternity in Chicago, Illinois? The first step is to determine if, legally, you automatically
In Illinois there is a great deal of law as to what makes a marriage valid. 750 ILCS 200 et al. A marriage license must be applied for, a marriage must be solemnized and the marriage license must be recorded appropriately. It is exceptionally rare for a marriage conducted in Illinois to have that marriage
After child custody and support issues are settled, the next question on most divorcing peoples minds is ‘What will happen to my 401k or pension in my divorce?” As with any property in the marriage, the first order of business is to determine whether the property is marital or non-marital. If the property is marital
Orders of protection in Cook County can be obtained either through the criminal courts or through the civil courts. A criminal order of protection is obtained through the underlying crime (usually assault or battery). The state’s attorney should provide you with the help you need in getting a criminal order of protection in conjunction with
Grandparents rights in Illinois. It certainly sounds like it should be a thing…but it really isn’t in most circumstances. For years Illinois had a “grandparents’ rights” statute in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Act. In 2002, Wickham vs. Byrne, 769 N.E.2d 1 (2002) was decided by the Illinois Supreme Court holding that the grandparents’ rights
In Illinois, the only law regarding telephone or electronic contact with children is the requirement that “provisions for communications, including electronic communications, with the child during the other parent’s parenting time,” 750 ILCS 602.10(e)(11), be included in the Parenting plan. There is, however, a longstanding tradition that whichever parent is not with the children that day
Jewelry is a peculiar asset. Jewelry’s value has to be estimated by a professional before that value is known. Jewelry can often “disappear” during a divorce. Most all, jewelry is usually a gift. But, who gets the jewelry in a Chicago, Illinois divorce? In Illinois, the first step is determining whether the jewelry is marital
When someone asks me “Who gets to live in the house during the divorce?” My first advice to any potential client is that you have to take care of yourself first. Take care of your physical, mental and emotional health. Most often this means moving out and away from your ex. Nothing good will happen
What Is Sole Custody? In Illinois, sole allocation of parental responsibilities (formerly known as “sole custody”) allows a parent to be solely responsible for making decisions for a minor child. Statutorily, these decisions are broken down into four different areas, namely: Education, Religion, Medical, and Extra Curricular Activities. Generally, the parent who is allocated sole
New relationships of your ex can always be full of concern. You find yourself dealing with a third-party who has not been vetted and someone who your ex has selected. While many significant others are harmless, in some instances, they can have a criminal past. This becomes especially concerning if your ex lives with a