When someone hires a divorce attorney to represent him/her in a divorce, the attorney is required by law to provide the client with written notice of his or her rights and responsibilities in the divorce case. A document  called “STATEMENT OF CLIENT’S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES” must be a part of every divorce retainer agreement. It […]

If one spouse controls the marital funds, then it may be difficult for the other spouse to pay for his/her divorce attorney. Illinois divorce law recognizes that it is unfair for one spouse to have money for a divorce attorney while the other spouse does not. The spouse with the money would have an advantage […]

Divorcing spouses who live together with their children during the divorce may expose their children to conflict which could harm their children.  One solution is for one spouse to move out of the house. Often, though, a spouse will not want to leave the house because doing so would mean leaving the children. In cases […]

Dr. Laura Markham(@DrLauraMarkham), Ph.D in clinical psychology,         author of many books on parenting, and creator of ahaparenting.com,  was recently interviewed by Shane Parrish(@ShaneAParrish) on a podcast episode of the Knowledge Project where she was asked how relationship problems of parents effect their kids (at 49:10 of the episode). Dr. Markham said raised voices in the house cause children’s blood pressure and adrenaline to increase, even for babies when they are asleep. Further, she said ongoing conflict and ongoing raised voices will cause children to become more […]

Getting divorced is not easy. It is costly, both financially and emotionally. It can be a long road, seemingly without an end. But when it ends, and a divorce judgment is entered, people can start over. Although that may be daunting, it can also be a time of opportunity. Thanksgiving is a time for giving […]

Allocating parenting time of an infant or young child can be quite challenging.  Often times, the mother and father will have serious disagreements regarding a parenting schedule.  This may be due to one parent, usually the mother, having done more caretaking of the child than the other parent.  A parent who has done most of […]

When people decide to get a divorce, they often speak to several divorce attorneys before hiring one.  These discussions are “consultations” and can occur in person, on the phone, by email, or even on a computer chat program.  Those who talk to attorneys under these circumstances are considered “prospective clients.” During consultations, prospective clients may […]

When parents with minor children get divorced, custody disputes often occur over parenting time and decision–making responsibilities.  These disputes are often stressful and expensive.  However, regardless of the outcome of these disputes, each parent has a right to obtain records relating to the minor child(ren).  This includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, childcare, and school records.   […]

The fundamental goal of business valuation is to determine the fair market value of the business. Although this sounds simple, it doesn’t provide much help on how to determine the value. It is a mistake to believe that businesses have a single value and valuation will arrive at one indisputable value.  Valuation is not an exact science.  There are many methods used to arrive […]

A business formed during a marriage is usually marital property. In Illinois, when a couple goes through a divorce, all marital assets, including businesses, need to be divided through equitable distribution. Often in divorce, a business is divided by one spouse “buying out” the other spouse.  But before one spouse “buys out” the other spouse, the business needs […]