Today’s concept of family has shifted from something that may have once been described as solely mom, dad, and kids, to a more inclusive interpretation that could include grandparents, aunts and uncles, half siblings, and step parents, just to name a few. The dynamic of the typical American family is certainly changing, so much so that perhaps there is no longer anything "typical" about it. A recently published news article reports that one trend in particular is emerging regarding the change in family structure - grandparents fulfilling the role of parents in taking care of their …

Essentially, the legalization of gay marriage also involves the application of other legal concepts to the marriage that also apply to heterosexual couples. Some areas of law are not yet amended or modified to properly address the issue of gay marriage, but others are and can likely readily be applied. For example, current divorce laws may fall short in many aspects when applied to same-sex couples, but same-sex couples should not have a problem entering into a valid prenuptial agreement.

When child custody and support matters are added into the divorce mix, issues may be compounded and emotions can arise quickly. Of course, every case involving child custody has different factors and circumstances involved, but in many cases, both parents wish to have custody of their minor children and have their own ideas about what children need during and after divorce. A recently published article suggests some commonly accepted advice regarding children’s needs after divorce may be missing the mark.

Domestic violence is an issue being discussed in communities across the country, but often has similar factors at play no matter where it takes place. A recently published news article examines the topic of domestic violence from some familiar angles in order to shed light on questions, such as why victims stay in abusive relationships and some of the more common warning signs of domestic violence. This information is useful no matter where domestic violence takes place.

When a couple cannot reach an agreement about custody of their children and visitation schedules, the matter is brought before the court and a judge is asked to make the custody determination. Parents’ wishes are certainly made known, through them or their attorneys, but what about the minor children involved? In some cases, perhaps the court never hears their point of view, but in others, they make their wishes clear about which parent they want to live with and how they wish to spend their time with each parent. The question is, how much weight does the court give to a child’s wishes in…

Start to finish, the process of divorce can be expensive and goes well beyond legal fees. In a divorce, most of a couple’s assets are usually up for grabs. This can include retirement accounts, savings accounts, real estate, and the marital home, just to name a few. In addition, each party must consider the financial implications they will face after their divorce is finalized. For many, that may involve starting a new life in their 40s or 50s, something that can be challenging both emotionally and financially. With all of these financial considerations in mind, the prospect of divorce can …

Adoption can be extremely positive for all parties involved in the process, from the adoptive parents seeking to add a child to their family, to the child looking for a permanent home. While the situation may be most emotional for the birth parents, adoption can also ultimately be a positive thing for them, too, particularly in cases where they are not capable or equipped to care for the child. Likely recognizing the positions of the these different parties, Illinois law generally provides for the protection of all parties involved in the adoption process.

While it is unfortunate that an extremely violent event involving a public figure is what has sparked a renewed conversation on domestic violence, many are saying the occurrence is simply bringing to light the types of domestic violence incidents that victims must deal with on a regular basis. As the conversation about domestic violence continues in the media and among the public, the overall effort seems to be spreading awareness and advocating for solutions to the domestic violence problem across the country. It can at least be said that these issues affect far more people than average …

Virtually all areas of law at least have the potential to change over time. Sometimes, the change comes in the form of court decisions, and other times it is through legislative action. Attorneys are responsible for keeping informed of changes in the law and any related procedure in order to provide their clients with competent representation.

Common Mistakes

Going through a divorce can mean different things to different people. Some may see it as a traumatic past event that they want to move beyond and never think of again. Others may see it as a valuable learning experience, taking the opportunity to reflect on what happened in the marriage and applying the lessons to future relationships. Still others undoubtedly lie somewhere in between these two extremes.

Many people who have been through the process of divorce may consider it one of the worst times in their life. Anything from contentious legal battles to lingering bitter feelings about the marriage can contribute to this view. However, not everyone has the same experiences with divorce. Some see it as a new beginning and another chance at being happy. According to a recent article, a family law attorney from Arizona published a book framing the concept of divorce in a new light, and urging others to do the same.