Monthly Archives: October 2017
Millennials’ Perspective on Marriage and Divorce
Marriage has always been considered a rite of passage for many people. However, over the past 15 years, marriage rates have drastically decreased.
In Illinois, 49 percent of the whole population is married, with a breakdown of 50 percent of Illinois males being married and 47 percent of females.
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The #MeToo Movement and its Impact on People Affected by Domestic Violence
In mid-October, social media exploded with one simple hashtag: #MeToo. After the allegations against Harvey Weinstein were widely reported, thousands of people, mostly women, expressed themselves by using #MeToo—either by simply posting the hashtag itself or by posting the hashtag along with their personal experience of sexual assault or harassment.
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How Illinois Child Support is Calculated
Depending on a family’s structure, either parent or both parents may not be fully present in their children’s lives. If this is the case, either parent may need to pay a certain percentage of his or her income that will go toward child support.
Dissolving a Civil Union in Illinois
A civil union is defined as a legal relationship given to Illinois adult partners who are not married. On January 31, 2011, the Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act was signed to allow both heterosexual and same-sex couples to be in a civil union with the same obligations and rights as married couples. The Civil Union Law became effective June 1, 2011.
Same Sex Marriage and Adoption in Illinois
The State of Illinois has since celebrated the legalization of same sex marriage, and have perceived many same sex couples to be great parents. Unfortunately, not enough same sex couples have stepped forward in considering fostering or adopting a child because of how they think they could be perceived by the child or children.
How to Determine Spousal Maintenance in Illinois
The divorce process is oftentimes very complex. Each divorce is different, so each situation will go down different avenues and will produce different results. Many divorce cases will include spousal support; yet, other cases will not allow it.
For each marriage that includes spousal support, there is no way to estimate the exact amount without considering child support, combined gross income, and so-called “multiple family situation.” Divorce is not a “one size fits all” type of situation.
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Handling a Guardian Ad Litem
There are many divorce and family law cases where a guardian ad litem is appointed to sit in on a case on behalf of the divorcing couple’s child or children. In most guardianship cases, the guardian ad litem can be appointed at no cost, or volunteers from the Community Law Program at Loyola’s Law School can be appointed.
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