Category: Child Custody

5 Simple Tips for Effective Co-Parenting

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Many parents (wrongfully) believe that divorce is the most difficult part of a separation for children. However, the co-parenting that follows can often be even more of a challenge. This is especially true if parents are unwilling or unable to work together in the best interests of the children.

Whether in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, or Will County, your divorce must focus on negotiating effective co-parenting arrangements with your former spouse. By doing so, you will make life after the divorce better for both yourself and your children.

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Temporary Maintenance and Child Support in Divorce

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Divorces take months, even when both spouses agree on all issues. In heavily litigated cases, the process can take years. However, life doesn’t just stop in the process. Bills will continue to come, children have needs, and you need support to continue living while you sort out your divorce.

This is why Illinois courts award temporary maintenance and child support.

In this article, we’ll discuss what each is and when it is generally awarded so you can determine if it may apply in your case.

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Divorce Q&A: Why Isn’t There Custody Anymore?

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There are many terms common to the divorce process. Alimony, also known as maintenance, is one of them. Another is custody and in many divorces or divorces depicted in popular culture, it’s one of the most contentious issues.

In Illinois, custody no longer exists.

Instead, there’s something called parental responsibility and it’s removing some of the contentious emotions from the divorce process. If you’re just considering divorce and haven’t yet talked to a Naperville divorce attorney, you likely haven’t heard of the term.

In this article, we’re going to provide a brief overview of what parental responsibility is, how it works in your divorce, and what you need to know.

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3 Benefits for Children Under New Illinois Domestic Relations Laws

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If you’ve been reading our blog for awhile, you already know that there were major changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) beginning January 1, 2016. Not only have major terms, such as child custody, changed in both name and meaning, but there are distinct benefits that have resulted from this seemingly minor changes as well.

Most importantly, many of the benefits gained from these new laws focus on children. And, with children’s’ interests as the focal point of many divorces, this seems to suggest the new law has accomplished what it was meant to accomplish.

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Child Custody vs. Parental Responsibility: What’s the Difference?

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Child custody is often one of the most hotly contested issues in any divorce. While these efforts are sometimes well-intentioned, spouses fight over children as a means to hurt the other, harming the emotions and stability of children in the process. But this isn’t an issue any longer.

As of January 1, 2016, new updates to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution Of Marriage Act (IMDMA) have done away with the idea of child custody in favor of what is referred to as “parental responsibility.”

But, what does this mean for your divorce and more importantly, your children and your time with them following your divorce?

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