Waukegan Family Law Blog
Sharing parental responsibilities after divorce
In the majority of divorces, parents share the allocation of parental responsibilities. These responsibilities include decision-making and parenting time. The reason for this is simple: children tend to do best when both parents are raising them, even if those parents...
What benefits does mediation offer?
If you and your spouse have begun thinking about divorce, but neither of you looks forward to hashing out your marital problems in a public courtroom, you may wish to consider obtaining a mediated divorce as opposed to a litigated one. Mediate.com lists the major...
4 benefits of an uncontested divorce
Most people believe divorce is always a battle, but that’s doesn’t have to be the case. If your relationship has reached its end, you have the chance to seek out a divorce that doesn’t cause you or your partner additional stress. Uncontested divorce allows you and...
Assess your pet’s well-being when you determine custody
Courts recognize the well-being of animal companions Pet parents in Illinois cherish their animal companions as family members. Since 2018, Illinois law has allowed divorce courts to approve pet arrangements similar to shared custody 750 ILCS 5/452-502. The law...
What can I do when my ex will not follow custody rules?
While custody agreements are often hashed out between parents, the court has the final say on all official orders that are developed during a divorce. Accordingly, it is crucial that both parents follow rules related to custody, visitation, and parenting time. When...
How do “pup nups” and shared pet custody arrangements work?
To prevent animal division battles, an amendment made to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act allows two ex-spouses to share custody of their pets. Since January 1, 2018, the family court judges have accepted divorcing couples’ joint custody...
What is a parenting plan and does it need filing with the court?
Illinois law requires divorcing couples to submit to the court a parenting plan or parenting time schedule. The court allows you to create an agreed-upon arrangement outlining how you can share in parenting and spend equal time with the children. A judge no longer...
Understanding second-parent adoption
Adoption comes in all different forms. Some expand their families with unrelated adoptions, adoptions within the family or stepparent adoptions. Some choose second parent adoptions. Here, we will help you understand second parent adoptions and if they are right for...
Gray divorce brings up different issues to consider
Getting divorced past the age of 50 can present a number of problems and challenges in Illinois. For example, these soon-to-be exes will need to give more consideration to assets like retirement plans. After all, they will have fewer years to save before retiring. One...
Custody concerns during covid-19
The covid-19 crisis has spread uncertainty and chaos across the country and the world. Some parents have questions about how the pandemic may affect custody schedules. The short answer is that in most cases, you should adhere to your existing custody schedule, even...
