Timeline for Divorce Cases in Chicago

If you are facing a divorce, you likely have questions, and one of those questions is how long the process is going to take. While there is not a simple answer to this question because every divorce is different, there are some fundamentals that universally apply and that will help you better understand the probable timeline for your divorce. If you have divorce concerns, consult with an experienced Chicago divorce attorney today. The Divorce Process When it comes to divorce,[...]

Why is it Important to Establish Paternity?

There are many different reasons that a party might want to establish paternity, from a parent who is seeking to be allocated parental responsibilities or a parent seeking child support, to a child who wants to know more about his or her health history or who may be entitled to certain benefits through the parent. Any of these parties may seek to establish paternity in situations in which there is an alleged father, which the Illinois Parentage Act defines as[...]

Can I Annul My Marriage Instead of Getting Divorced?

People make mistakes and get married for the wrong reasons with some frequency in Chicago. In situations where one or both parties think the marriage was a mistake, especially if it has lasted for only a short time, they might be wondering if they can simply annul the marriage instead of going through the divorce process. In brief, if you are in a legally valid marriage, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) does not allow you to[...]

If I Get a Legal Separation, Can I Get Divorced Later?

There are many reasons that a married couple in Chicago might decide to get a legal separation instead of a divorce. For example, one of the spouses might have health issues and may need to remain on the other spouse’s health insurance in order to get treatment. Or, the married couple may have other financial reasons for wanting to remain married while living apart. When there are minor children from the marriage, or in situations in which the parties cannot[...]

Visitation for Non-Parents After a Chicago Divorce

After a divorce in Chicago, other family members may be frustrated by their ability to spend time with the minor children from the marriage. For example, a grandparent might be accustomed to spending a particular amount of time with the kids and may be angry about the way in which the court allocated parental responsibilities. Adult siblings also may want to have the ability to spend time with their younger siblings despite the way in which parenting time has been[...]