A college degree is almost critical to career success in today’s working world, and as the United States continues to move further away from manufacturing and more into a service-type economy, that need for higher education is expected to grow even further. Unfortunately, a recent study has found that children of divorce may be less likely to obtain this education. Learn more about why this might be, and discover how a seasoned divorce lawyer can help to improve the circumstances for your child during an Illinois divorce. 

Study Finds Children of Divorce Are Less Likely to Pursue a College Degree 

Most studies regarding divorce and children focus on the tender years - the way that a parental separation impacts the child’s immediate circumstances. Data from these suggest that children of divorce tend to have lower reading and math scores, are less engaged at school, and they tend to participate in fewer after-school activities than children whose parents stay married. Yet, until now, no one really knew how this translated into the lives of adult children of divorce.  

The valuation and distribution of assets is one of the leading sources of contention during a divorce - even more so when the assets are unusual or otherwise difficult to value. For example, artists and other creative individuals may be required to value and split the value of their works. Art collectors may be subject to the same valuation and division of their beloved artwork. Other collectibles and family-run businesses can also be difficult to divide. Learn what you need to know about dividing difficult to value assets in your Illinois divorce, and discover how a seasoned divorce lawyer can assist you with the process. 

Placing Value on Unusual Items During Divorce 

Divorce settlements are reached by first examining the total value of the couple’s marital estate. Some assets are easy to value. For example, a bank account is only worth what is in it. Other assets, such as artwork, jewelry, cryptocurrencies, coin collections, luxury furniture, and businesses are far more difficult to value. For items such as these, an expert appraiser is needed. Most often, they will determine what the item would be worth if it were auctioned off or sold. 

Divorce can significantly impact the mental, emotional, and financial well-being of any child, but those who have special needs’ are at an especially high risk. When one takes into account that an estimated 10 percent of the population has a family member with special needs, and the risk of divorce is significantly higher for them when compared to the general population (an estimated 86 percent compared to 50 percent), the importance of proper divorce planning becomes clear. Learn more about how to approach the process in the following sections, and discover how a seasoned divorce lawyer can help to improve the overall outcome of your case. 

Understanding What Could Be At Stake 

Minor and adult children with significant disabilities often need a lot of support from their families, health care professionals, community, and government. Unfortunately, if their parents go through a divorce and the process is not approached carefully, it may render the child ineligible for many of these types of assistance. As a result, the physical, mental, or financial well-being of the child may be negatively impacted. 

When it comes to divorce, parties often wonder when is the best time to file. Some make their decision based on circumstance (i.e they are fighting more frequently). Others base it on emotion (which some believe to be the driving factor behind the peak divorce times each year). While neither is necessarily “wrong,” they are not the best determining factor for determining when to file. Learn what determining factor may give you the best possible chance at a favorable outcome in your Illinois divorce, and discover how a seasoned attorney can help you prepare for the process. 

Basing Your Decision on Financial Standing 

The end of a marriage can be emotional and tumultuous, but basing your decision on emotional and circumstantial factors alone can leave you (and your spouse) at risk for financial devastation. Part of this can be attributed to the divorce process itself, which is financial, rather than emotional or fault-based. Having a one-income household or being in the dark about your financial situation can further exacerbate the problem. Thankfully, if you base your decision more on your financial standing and readiness, rather than other factors, you can mitigate many of the money-related risks that are commonly associated with a divorce. 

Although a divorce does not have to affect your credit, it can. The possibility of reduced income, moving expenses, and actions or inactions of your spouse are all possible causes, but once the divorce is finalized, there is only one real solution: rebuilding your credit. Learn more about how to do this in the following sections. More importantly, learn how a seasoned divorce lawyer could reduce the chances that you will experience adverse credit issues during your divorce. 

Make a Plan - Jointly and Independently

Perhaps one of the best ways to mitigate the risks of credit issues during and after your Illinois divorce is to sit down with your spouse, take an inventory of your finances and debts, and develop a plan. Discuss your options, such as: