During the divorce process, most parents come to an agreement about how to raise their children. For the most part, this agreement is based on the way the parents were raised, or the way the parties planned on raising their children. For two Hasidic parents in New York, it was not out of the ordinary
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Educational Expenses for Non-Minor Children
If a child is involved in a divorce, it is likely that post-high school educational expenses will be discussed prior to the entry of a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage, at least to some extent. This can be a major issue, especially if the child is older at the time of the dissolution. However, it
Read MoreHow Are Pets Treated in Dissolution Proceedings?
For many people, pets are more than just animals. They are loved members of the family. So, what happens to pets when couples divorce? Currently in Illinois, pets or “companion animals” are treated as personal property in dissolution proceedings. If parties are unable to come to an agreement, then the court will want to know
Read MoreBringing a Solid Contempt Petition
Parenting Agreement/Allocation Judgments and Marital Settlement Agreements are extremely detailed documents, which makes it easy for someone to inadvertently violate the order, at some point in time. Inadvertent violations are typically easily resolved without court intervention, because once the violation is pointed out by one party to the other, it is quickly resolved. When a
Read MorePros and Cons of Private Mediation
After the filing of a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or the filing of a motion related to parenting issues most counties require that the parties attend mediation. This service is provided by the county free of cost but may have a long waiting period. Another consideration is private mediation. A private mediator is a
Read MoreCan my child speak to the Judge?
In cases involving issues of parenting time and decision-making responsibilities, it is not uncommon to hear that a minor child wishes to speak to the Judge. Pursuant to Section 604.10 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/604.10), the Court may interview a child to determine the child’s thoughts and wishes.
Read MoreKeeping Children Uninvolved in Domestic Relations Proceedings
Most parties who have an Allocation or Custody Judgment of some sort address the issue of not talking to the minor children regarding court proceedings or financials, such as child support. However, during the pendency of many cases, people who do not have such orders will sometimes engage in these behaviors. This can be very
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