Whether or not one has to attend the finalization of the divorce depends on the situation. Generally, the petitioner (the person who filed) has to attend, so they can prove their case. If the respondent is represented by counsel or otherwise signs off on all documents and consents to the divorce, the Respondent does not
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In Illinois family law cases, sometimes orders are entered which are adverse to clients. Clients often ask if there are ways to get rid of an order. Sometimes, the answer is yes, but it is situational and the primary way to determine if the order can be removed depends upon how and why it was
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Illinois has now abolished the term “custody” in parentage and dissolution of marriage actions. Instead, the Court can allocate parental responsibilities for major decisions for minor children to one or both of the parents, including major decision making authority for religion, extra-curricular activities, medical and education. There is no longer “custody” over a child. There
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Any family law case in Illinois which involves financial issues will require the parties to exchange Financial Disclosure statements. The Financial Disclosure statement is designed to tell the court, in a snapshot, what your income, property, expenses and debts look like at a particular moment in time, on a monthly basis. Since financial situations can
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Parties who divorce or otherwise separate in family law cases oftentimes will remarry, or cohabit with new significant others. This can mean some financial comingling as they establish new joint accounts, file joint tax returns, take out joint credit cards, and the like. When their finances are intertwined, it could subject them to later discovery
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It seems like in every case there comes a time where the holiday parenting time schedule is modified by the parties by agreement, for one reason or another. Perhaps there is a Family Reunion over July 4th weekend on Mom’s side of the family and it is during Dad’s year, so they agree to switch.
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