Author Archives: MickiMoran
Special Needs Consideration in Divorce
This article is intended to provide practical assistance to professionals and clients who are dealing with a family with a child with special needs. Many of these cases are factually complex and involve considerations that are outside of the normal … Continue reading
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Posted in Autism, Divorce & Custody
Tagged Special Needs Divorce
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Changes to the New Tax Law that will Impact How Maintenance and Alimony is Taxed
In the past, maintenance or what has been formerly referred to as alimony was taxable to the person receiving the payment (obligee) and deductible to the person who was paying (obligor). Federal law determines the taxability of maintenance. As of … Continue reading
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Posted in Divorce & Custody, Uncategorized
Tagged Alimony, Maintenance, Tax Law and Divorce
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Estrangement and Parental Alienation are NOT the Same Thing
In my years of practicing family law and working with all kinds of family structures in my divorce practice, as well as in the other areas of law that we deal with in our office (e.g. special education, mental health … Continue reading
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Posted in Divorce & Custody, Uncategorized
Tagged Parental Alienation, Parental Estrangement
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Statutory Factors that Judges Utilize in the Allocation of Parent Responsibilities: Decision Making
Parents can certainly agree to share decision making and allocation of time. However, in the absence of an agreement, courts will look to the factors outlined in the statute in determining parenting time and decision making. The court may even … Continue reading
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Posted in Divorce & Custody, Uncategorized
Tagged Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
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School Shootings: A Perspective
Since the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida this month, I have been once again thinking about how school shootings have become a tragic and all too common event in this country. I have avoided this … Continue reading
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Posted in Current Events, School Shootings, Uncategorized
Tagged Gun Control, March for our Lives, National School Walkout, School Shootings
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Autism and the Justice System
For the past twenty years, our office has represented many individuals on the autism spectrum. As those children grew into adolescence and young adulthood, some of them found themselves involved in the criminal justice system. Their parents were shocked that … Continue reading
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Posted in Autism, Juvenile Law
Tagged Autism and Criminal Justice System
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Special Needs Divorce
Divorce and custody issues impact many families and can be particularly daunting for parents of children with special needs. There are many more moving parts and no formulaic solutions for these unique families. I now devote a portion of my … Continue reading
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Posted in Divorce & Custody, Uncategorized
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Changes in Illinois Divorce Law
On January 1, 2016, many new changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act as well as the Parentage Act will be put in place. Senate Bill 57 and House Bill 1531 will greatly alter the divorce process … Continue reading
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Posted in Divorce & Custody
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Divorce: Parallel Parenting
Parallel Parenting Defined As my divorce practice has grown, I have encountered parents who have so much animosity towards each other, and/or divergent views of parenting, that cooperation, co-parenting and shared decision making aren’t possible. For these families, a parenting … Continue reading
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Posted in Divorce & Custody
Tagged Custody, Divorce, Parallel Parenting
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Rights of Teens Regarding Confidentiality under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act
Many parents who come to our office are surprised to learn that their child, if they are at least 12, must consent to the release of mental health information. Who has the right to the records protected by the Act? … Continue reading
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Posted in Juvenile Law, Medical Records, Mental Health / Disability, Special Education / School Law
Tagged Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act
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