Monthly Archives: December 2016

Does a Bankruptcy Affect My Prior Divorce Settlement?

Many Illinois couples are faced with crippling personal debts and make the difficult decision to file for bankruptcy. Unfortunately, bankruptcy does not eliminate all debts. For example, federal law does not allow a bankruptcy court to discharge any debt incurred as the result of a “domestic support obligation,” such as child support or spousal maintenance. This means that if you and your current spouse seek bankruptcy protection, you may still need to deal with the consequences of a prior divorce.

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Separation and Divorce: Do I Need to Move Out Before I File?

When a married couple is having serious problems, it is not uncommon for the spouses to separate for a while before making any decisions. One partner may move out of the marital home and stay with family members while gathering his or her thoughts about what to do next. The practice is common enough, in fact, that most couples would not think about filing for a divorce while living under the same roof.

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Choosing a Venue for Your Divorce

When you decide to get divorced, you probably realize that you will need to file your divorce petition at the county courthouse. But, how do you know which county? Does it matter? According to Illinois law, the county you choose for your divorce matters in some ways but does not matter in others, and it important to understand the difference.

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Non-Minor Support for Educational Expenses

For most parents who pay child support, their obligations end when the child graduates from high school or turns 19 years old. By that time, the child should be capable of obtaining employment and supporting him- or herself. Many young adults, however, choose to continue their education at a college, university, or trade school before entering the workforce. If you have been paying child support for a child who recently graduated from high school, the law in Illinois says you may be on the hook to help your child pay for college depending on the circumstances.

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