A sexual offense criminal conviction may have significant consequences on a parent’s visitation and custody rights. This is true even if the offense did not involve a child. A court may consider a parent's sex offense conviction during the divorce. If the conviction happens after the divorce, the other parent may request a modification to visitation or custody rights.

When a couple makes the decision to divorce, there are always questions about how to divide property and assets. Figuring out how to properly divide assets is important, but it is just as important for a couple to figure out how the couple's debt will be divided.

Divorcing couples have several issues to decide, including how to divide their personal property. While it may be simple to divide furniture and other household goods, dividing valuable collectibles, antiques, or other rare items may prove difficult. Moreover, a fight over items with significant monetary value could turn an otherwise easy divorce into a battle.

Lawyers do not like to lose in court. This is particularly true in divorce cases where the attorney knows the “losing” party might experience a tremendous financial change or lose parental rights.

When a couple finalizes a divorce, it is likely that one of the former couple’s circumstances will change at some point in time after the divorce. This is particularly true if a couple married earlier on in life. If the changes in one person’s circumstances is significant, it is likely that, after providing notice and submitting a motion, a court will order a child support or maintenance modification.

There may be circumstance that lead a couple to request that a court declare their marriage invalid. Invalidity of marriage, commonly known as annulment, is a different process than divorce. A court will only declare a marriage invalid under the specific circumstances; it is important to speak to a skilled attorney if you are interested in pursuing this option.

The state of Illinois now requires parents with a minor child who file for divorce to attend a class, as many children experience both short and long-term effects after a divorce. This class seeks to assist parents with helping their children during a difficult time. If you are struggling through a child custody issue with your former spouse, it is important to understand how the course may help you make this difficult process easier for your child.

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act requires couples to value and divide property before a court will grant a divorce. Oftentimes, a divorcing couple is able to sit down and figure out who gets what, and divide property. Sometimes this just not possible because of a dispute, refusal to compromise, or complex issues regarding the ownership or value of property. These tedious and emotionally charged disputes can leave a divorcing couple feeling frustrated and exhausted.

There is never really a good time to divorce. However, it may be especially rough for a couple that decides to divorce as their children become teenagers and young adults.

By now most Illinoisans know that starting January 1st, 2016, Illinois family law received a substantial facelift. “Legal custody” is a familiar legal concept that is being overhauled as part of the Illinois lawmakers’ efforts to modernize Illinois’s family law. The progress of cases in 2016 will help Illinois lawmakers determine whether these changes to how a court determines child custody will benefit Illinois families or further complicate already complex child custody determinations.

When your child has been removed from your care, it can be difficult to determine what steps to take next. It can also be difficult to regain child custody and have your child returned to you. If your child has been removed from your home, then you may feel powerless and angry. While these feelings are normal, you should also be aware of your legal rights.

Every parent has the right to decide how their children are raised. Parental rights are fiercely protected by the law. Parental rights also come with parental responsibilities. If a birth parent has decided to place a child up for adoption, then both parents must give up these rights. Giving up parental rights, or consenting to an adoption, is an important and critical legal step for biological parents. If you are making the difficult decision to place your child up for adoption, you will need to understand the full impact of consenting to your child’s adoption.