Waukegan Family Law Blog
Negotiating pet custody after divorce
Many Illinois couples consider their pets akin to children and forge deep bonds with them. When they decide to divorce, however, they may run into a particularly difficult situation, especially if their marriage ends on a contentious note. Traditional laws regarding...
Stepparent adoptions and termination of parental rights
After marrying someone who already has a child, it is common for a spouse to consider adopting that child when they’ve created a new family.There are stepparents who often help support the children and there are numerous other reasons for seeking an adoption....
Relocation with the children is difficult for both sides
Change is constant, and few people realize this better than parents. Couples who are separated but co-parenting often have the added difficulty of trying to fit life changes into their parenting plans. However, when major changes include relocation with the children,...
Noticing the signs that a spouse wants a divorce
Divorce often occurs after a couple discusses their differences, tries counseling and agrees to end the marriage. However, many times one spouse is caught off guard when the other announces intentions to leave. It may be even more of a shock to learn that one’s spouse...
Divorce after age 50 can be an emotional and financial blow
While the overall divorce rate seems to be declining in the United States, a certain demographic is seeing a marked increase in marriage breakups. For those who are over the age of 50, divorce is becoming more common. Pundits have termed this phenomenon “grey...
How adoption can impact your taxes
As the year comes to an end, it is time to look forward to next year. That also means preparing for tax time in Illinois. If you welcomed a new member in your family this year through adoption, you may see some benefits on your federal income taxes. The IRS explains...
Your home and mortgage in a divorce
For many married couples in Illinois who are also homeowners, their family home commonly represents their most significant financial asset. At the same time, the home loan that is associated with the property generally represents a couple’s most significant financial...
When is child support modification appropriate?
As much as Illinois parents may love their children, those with the obligation to pay child support may feel the burden is often too great. It is one financial responsibility that cannot be put off during weeks when money is tight, and missing payments can carry...
Four ways to settle a divorce outside of the courtroom
When you think of divorce, your mind may conjure images of angry couples shouting and scowling at each other in a courtroom. You might close your eyes and see a stern, dispassionate judge waiting to slam her gavel and decide your fate and those of your ex and...
How does divorce affect dogs?
If you are going through a divorce, you may read a lot about the effect that divorce has on the people involved; especially the children. However, if you have a pet, you may notice that your pet may be affected by the divorce, too. Divorce can impact a dog in many...
