Posted on December 13, 2024 in Spousal Support

Alimony has various names depending on the state you are in, and in Illinois, it is officially known as "spousal support." These payments are made by one ex-spouse to the other after divorce. They are meant to ensure that the receiving spouse can maintain a lifestyle similar to what they had in married life or have financial support to help them get back on their feet.

However, the amount to be paid is calculated based on information that was true during the time the divorce was settled. As with anything else in life, circumstances can change, leaving some spouses wondering whether it is possible to modify their spousal support arrangement. If this is a question you find yourself asking, speak with a knowledgeable Chicago, IL family law attorney to learn more.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 28, 2024 in Family Law

Parental alienation is when one parent deliberately tries to undermine the other parent’s relationship with their child. This can be devastating for both the child and the alienated parent. While Illinois courts recognize this, it can be hard to determine what constitutes parental alienation. If you think you are the victim of parental alienation, speak with a knowledgeable Skokie, IL family law attorney to understand your options.

What is Parental Alienation?

Parental alienation is when a parent manipulates a child’s feelings toward the other parent, hoping to damage or even eliminate the child’s relationship with that parent. This can happen in different ways, for example:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 14, 2024 in Adoption

Contrary to the evil depictions they have gotten in many books and movies, stepparents often fill a special, loving role in a child’s life. A deeply caring relationship is not only possible for people who are related by blood. If your spouse had a child when you got married, there is a good chance you have spent a lot of time together and grown to feel like a family.

Adopting a stepchild can be an incredible step to take, but the process can be full of challenges. If you are interested in exploring stepchild adoption, a seasoned Chicago, IL family law attorney can answer your questions and offer useful advice.

When Can a Stepparent Adopt?

Stepparent adoption is a unique way to become legally recognized as a child’s parent. Many of the steps required in other adoptions – including a DCFS investigation and background check – are often unnecessary. Before you can be considered, several criteria must be met, including:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 30, 2024 in Child Support

When a couple is ready to end their marriage, they work on reaching a settlement to outline what is expected of both spouses after they finalize their divorce. Naturally, the agreements they reach are based on their situation at the time of the divorce proceedings. Like everything else in life, those situations can change.

One major divorce issue that can be affected by changing circumstances is child support. If the paying parent gets a promotion with a significant raise, will that increase in salary go straight to his or her ex in the form of child support payments? To learn more, speak with a knowledgeable Chicago, IL divorce lawyer.

Can I Be Forced to Pay More Child Support?

In Illinois, a child support agreement can be reviewed at the non-paying parent’s request. A review alone does not mean the child support order will be modified. One of several conditions needs to be demonstrated in order for a modification to be granted:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 14, 2024 in Divorce

It is inevitable that some marriages will not last, and there are many different reasons why couples decide to end their marriages. Sometimes, one spouse does something that causes irreparable damage to their relationship. Perhaps the couple did not work well from the outset, and as time went on, they grew bitter towards each other. Other times, a marriage starts out great, but the couple simply grows apart and falls out of love. 

Whatever the reason, there are also different strategies for couples to use during a divorce. If you still respect your spouse and you are interested in keeping your divorce as civil as possible, ask a knowledgeable Skokie, IL family law attorney whether an uncontested divorce is a good option for you to consider. 

How Does Uncontested Divorce Work?

When two people meet the residency requirements to be eligible for divorce in Illinois and they agree about every major aspect of their divorce, they can file for an uncontested divorce. Their settlement will need to include everything required for a divorce to be finalized, including:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 24, 2024 in Divorce

When people realize they are ready for a divorce, in addition to the questions they might have about what it will mean for their parenting, their home, and their finances, many wonder how long the entire process will take. After being in an unhappy marriage and finally making the decision to end it, you likely want to get it taken care of as fast as possible so you can move on with your life.

However, the amount of time your divorce will take depends on the type of divorce you end up having. This article will explain how long various types of divorce can take. If you are considering divorce, speak with a qualified Cook County, IL family law attorney to discuss which option might suit your needs best and how long you can reasonably expect it to take.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 13, 2024 in Child Custody / Parental Responsibilities

Illinois courts generally prefer joint custody arrangements. Even if one parent has primary visitation rights, both generally have a say in important decisions that affect their child, including making choices about their education. As homeschooling grows in popularity, divorced parents are finding themselves entangled in disagreements when one parent wants to homeschool the child, but the other is opposed. Some children benefit immensely from the social setting of being in school, while others are far more suited to a homeschooling arrangement. Likewise, some parents would be excellent at teaching their own children, and others would struggle. When you and your ex share parental responsibilities and need to make decisions together, it can be hard when you disagree about what is best for your child. If you are dealing with this challenging situation, speak with an experienced Skokie, IL joint custody attorney to review your options.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 22, 2024 in Divorce

One of the most common questions new clients ask at their first meeting with our Illinois divorce lawyer is how long the divorce itself will take. For many people, the decision to end their marriage was not an easy one, and they just want to be able to move forward with their lives and futures as quickly as possible.

The answer to that question is that there is no solid answer. Every case is different, and even the most agreeable of divorces can quickly turn contentious, resulting in long, dragged-out battles. The following are the four different categories of divorce in Illinois. Your lawyer will evaluate your situation and advise you on which process would be the most appropriate in your case.

Joint Simplified Divorce

If a couple has been married for less than eight years and agrees on all issues (including how assets and debts will be divided), they may qualify for a joint simplified divorce. The couple must not have any children together, and one spouse cannot be pregnant by the other.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 15, 2024 in Divorce

Although divorce rarely happens under optimal circumstances, certain issues can make the divorce process considerably more difficult. Mental illness, which affects one in six U.S. adults, is one factor that can make divorce harder for everyone – not least the person struggling with the mental illness. 

Parents with mental illness who have minor children may feel more threatened by divorce. Not only can the stress of divorce exacerbate mental health disorders, but the prospect of having a mental illness scrutinized in front of a court as parents make decisions about child custody can be very intimidating. 

If you are considering getting divorced, or if your spouse has already filed for divorce, and you know your or your spouse’s mental illness is likely to be a significant factor in the outcome of your divorce, contact The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, L.L.C. today. We work with divorcing spouses from all walks of life and handle every case with the sensitivity and individuality it deserves. 

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 25, 2024 in Divorce

Around 21 million Americans have at least one addiction. Twenty percent — approximately 28 million adults — have an alcohol use disorder. People who abuse alcohol, drugs, or gambling not only hurt themselves but can also harm their relationships with others. Marriages involving a spouse who has an addiction can be deeply impacted, with some ending in divorce.

Illinois does not recognize fault in divorce. This means that when you file for a dissolution of marriage, the court will not blame either spouse for causing it. If one spouse was addicted to alcohol, drugs, or gambling, for example, it would not affect a court’s decision about whether to grant a divorce decree. All the court needs to know is that there are "irreconcilable differences."

However, if one spouse has a history of addiction, it can affect certain parts of the divorce process. As we explore this further, remember that an Illinois divorce attorney is the best resource for questions about addiction and divorce.

Continue Reading ››