Category Archives: Divorce & Custody

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Navigating the Holidays after Divorce

Plan ahead! Don’t wait until the last minute to work out the details of the holiday. This includes travel plans, pick up and drop off and other details. Let everyone know in advance what the plans and schedule are. Try … Continue reading

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