If you were divorced before July 1, 2017 or are still in the process of getting divorced, the income shares model of child support will apply to your case. And, while some are uncertain about the change, Illinois is the 40^th state to adopt this model. As such, you can have confidence knowing that this model is in the best interest of both you, and your family.

In this article, we’ll give a basic overview of what the income shares model is about, how it works, and adjustments made to the model based on parenting time.

Continue reading “So, What’s the Income Shares Model?” →

Child support is common in most Illinois divorces. If you are going to receive child support, there are two ways to do so:

1. You can arrange for your spouse to pay you directly; or
2. You can enter an order garnishing your former spouse’s wages and be paid through the state disbursement unit.

As you can imagine, wage garnishment is the most popular option because most couples who are divorced don’t get along or don’t want to coordinate to exchange child support payments each month. In this article, we discuss wage garnishment in greater detail to get you familiar with how it will work in your divorce case.

Continue reading “Wage Garnishment and Child Support: What You Should Know” →

July 1 is quickly approaching and when it hits, child support calculations in Illinois will be based on an income shares model rather than the current, net income model. There are multiple reasons for this switch, all of which are beneficial not only for both parents, but children as well.

In this article, we’ll discuss how the current child support calculations work, what income shares are, how income share calculations work, and what you need to know about this new law if you’re planning on getting divorced.

Continue reading “New Income Shares Model Changes Child Support Calculations in Illinois” →

If you’re getting divorced and have children, you may receive or have to pay child support. But, what does child support pay for and how does child support work in Illinois?

It can feel overwhelming to navigate the complexities of child support by yourself. By taking the time to understand the basic concepts underlying child support, you can have a better grasp on the topic, which is crucial to feeling comfortable and confident moving forward in your case and after your case is settled.

Below are the 5 most common questions we receive at Lawrence R. Surinak Ltd. about child support. These questions will help lay a foundation for your understanding and demystify some of the intricacies of child support in Illinois.

Continue reading “5 Common Questions About Child Support in IL” →

Let’s start with a hypothetical situation. Assume John and Jane are married and John moves out of the house before Jane files for divorce. Months pass and John does not contribute any money to the care of the children. When Jane files for divorce, what happens to all of the months John did not pay?

In all likelihood, John will have to pay Jane retroactive child support.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• What retroactive child support is;
• When it is required; and
• How it is calculated

Continue reading “Does IL Require Retroactive Child Support?” →

In any divorce proceeding, your kids are your primary concern. Not only do they often not understand what is going on, but their financial, physical, and emotional needs during this time can make it difficult to continue on with “normal” life, no matter how hard you try.

Luckily, this struggle doesn’t continue forever. The closure of a divorce alleviates a lot of tension in most families, allowing parents to better care for their offspring and share parenting time once a case is closed and issues, such as child support, are resolved.

One of the most common questions we receive from both mothers and fathers is “How is the payment calculated?” If you’ve been wondering the same, you’ll find all of the information and answers you need in this article.

Continue reading “Your Questions About Child Support Percentages In Illinois Answered” →