Posted on January 20, 2025 in Family Law

A Guardian Ad Litem, or GAL is a person that the court can appoint in cases that involve children, typically when matters like custody are being decided. Their main job is to determine what the child’s best interests are and represent those interests in court on the child’s behalf. 

While some parents might feel intimidated and threatened when a GAL is appointed to their case, the truth is that this person is not there to judge or accuse you but rather to make sure that the child’s well-being remains the top priority in any court proceedings that can impact his or her life. In addition to being an experienced Chicago, IL custody lawyer, Attorney Curtis Bennett Ross is also a court-approved GAL and can answer any questions you may have about the role and its implications in your case.

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 Posted on December 26, 2024 in Family Law

Technology has become a crucial part of everyday life, with new apps developing constantly to optimize so many aspects of our routine. One of the tools that has been gaining popularity among divorced or separated parents is co-parenting apps, which are designed to help parents manage shared responsibilities like custody schedules, school events, and parental communication. 

As more parents experience first-hand what these apps can do, some are wondering whether they truly help or simply create more problems than they solve. To learn more about navigating the challenges of co-parenting when you are not married, speak with an experienced Chicago, IL family law attorney.

What Do Co-Parenting Apps Do?

Co-parenting apps are digital tools that help parents manage their shared parenting duties and are aimed at reducing conflict. Some of the most popular apps offer features that include:

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 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.

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 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:

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 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:

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 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:

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 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:

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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