Chicago Divorce: Navigating Spousal Maintenance
When going through a divorce, one issue that often arises is the question of spousal maintenance, also known as alimony. In Illinois, spousal maintenance is governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. If you’re going through a divorce in Cook County and are wondering about alimony, here’s what you need to know. Factors […]
Same-Sex Marriage in Chicago and the United States
Same-sex marriage has become an important issue across the United States, with federal and state courts ruling on its constitutionality. In Illinois, gay marriage was legalized in 2014, granting same-sex couples the same legal rights as opposite-sex couples. At NextLevel Law, P.C. by Daniel R. Hernandez, Esq., our attorneys are here to provide legal guidance for […]
Modification of Your Divorce Decree
After the tumultuous process of divorce, there are many crucial matters to address, including modifications to your divorce decree. In Chicago, Illinois, couples seeking a modification to their divorce judgment must navigate the complexities of the legal system, which can be challenging. Divorced individuals wishing to make a change to their divorce decree are encouraged to […]
What Is the “Right of First Refusal” in an Illinois Parenting Agreement?
One of the most frustrating parts of a divorce or child custody case is interpreting legal jargon and unfamiliar language. For example, while the term child custody is still sometimes used in casual settings, Illinois law refers to child custody as “the allocation of parental responsibilities,” and visitation is legally known as “parenting time.” If you are […]
Parentage and Child Custody for Same-Sex Couples
In 2015, Illinois passed the Parentage Act. This provides parentage guidelines for same-sex partners. According to this act, a person can be presumed parent of a child under the age of eighteen in the following situations: Spouses were married in a civil union when the child was born The child was born 300 days before […]
How Can I Protect Myself and My Family From an Abusive Spouse During Divorce?
The Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 defines domestic violence as an act of abuse (harassment, physical abuse, wilful deprivation, intimidation of a dependent, or interference with personal liberty) that is perpetrated against a family or household member. Since 2019, domestic violence cases have increased, leaving many people wondering how they can legally protect themselves […]
Do I Need to Cooperate with Child Protective Services During Divorce?
An unfortunate but common feature of many divorces is accusations of abuse or neglect made by one parent about the other. Sometimes these accusations are legitimate, and sometimes they are made out of hurt, anger, or a desire for vengeance. While parents usually seek what is best for their children, the hostility of divorce can sometimes make […]
Will Mediation Be Helpful in My Chicago Divorce?
Saying you want to get divorced is one thing, but as anyone who has successfully finalized their divorce knows, agreeing to the complex terms of a divorce with a soon-to-be ex-spouse is another thing entirely. Divorcing couples are required to negotiate and communicate over very sensitive matters during a time in which they could hardly dislike each […]
Is My Spouse Abusive or Do We Just Fight a Lot?
All couples fight – in fact, relationship experts say that couples who do not fight may be in deeper trouble than those who fight frequently. However, what is key for a healthy relationship is that a couple fights fairly and that they can come back together after facing conflict. When you are in a relationship, […]
How Do We Divide Our Belongings in an Illinois Divorce?
An Illinois divorce has several important issues that must be resolved. If there are minor children, child support and custody schedules need to be decided. The question of whether spousal support should be paid needs to be answered. Finally, couples need to divide the assets and money they have accumulated during their marriage according to Illinois law. While some states require spouses to […]