Divorce mediation, an alternative to traditional divorce proceedings, is a means to resolve the complex issues of a divorce. Mediation involves the services of a trained and neutral person who works with the parties to facilitate the settlement of disputed issues. Such person is known as the “mediator.”
In traditional divorce proceedings, the judge ultimately
In most states, the age of majority (when a person is recognized by law as an adult), is 18 years of age or older. A “minor” is a person who is under the age of 18. When a minor breaks the law or causes damage or injury to another person, an animal, or property, the
Most people are aware that a surviving spouse is usually entitled to inherit all or a large portion of the estate of a deceased spouse. Fewer understand the effect on estates if one spouse dies during a legal separation or after a divorce. After a divorce, many neglect to change wills that specify bequests to
Upon divorce, all debts, property and assets must be divided between the spouses according to applicable percentages set by state law. In equitable distribution states, the court divides marital property (or property acquired during the marriage) according to what is “equitable” or “fair.” In community property states, the court will divide marital property in equal
After surviving the holidays, many people are preparing to serve their spouse with divorce papers — and, as one expert notes, that can be a good thing for some households.
January typically has a surge in divorce filings as people look for a fresh start on their life. Divorce filings surge in January as people
Illinois has recently enacted one of the most far-reaching cannabis legalization laws of any state in the country. The law will become effective January 1, 2020, contains provisions for the expungement of cannabis-related offenses.
Over the past decades, hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents (and non-residents) have been arrested for cannabis-related offenses and, as a
In most states, the age of majority (when a person is recognized by law as an adult), is 18 years of age or older. A “minor” is a person who is under the age of 18. When a minor breaks the law or causes damage or injury to another person, an animal or property, the
Most divorces involve a division of property between the spouses. If there are children from the marriage, the parent not granted custody usually must pay monthly child support. In addition, one of the spouses may be granted monthly alimony or spousal support. The resulting tax implications differ, depending on whether such payments are characterized as
Many folks in Illinois have questions regarding Community Property and sometimes travel under the false assumption that Illinois has Community Property. First and foremost let me clarify that ILLINOIS IS NOT a community property state, but here are some clarifications for those of you who do live in such a state.
A number of states
All 50 states have laws authorizing certain nonparent parties, typically grandparents, to seek child visitation rights. These statutes are controversial, and parents often argue that the laws interfere with their fundamental constitutional right to rear their children, which includes the right to determine who may educate and socialize with their children. However, as parens patriae, states
