Day: November 6, 2014

Same Sex marriage is official in Illinois!!

Although the Illinois civil union law has for the past 2 years provided that any couple, regardless of their gender could be provided a civil union, same sex couple did not get part take in the benefits of a marriage itself. Under the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) signed into law in 1996, the federal

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How do I Modify Child Support?

Child support is ALWAYS modifiable – even if you have an agreement that says otherwise. If you’re considering modifying your child support payments, call our office to work with the attorneys who have the experience, expertise, and resources to protect your rights. Modification of Support (Increase): A custodial parent may seek an increase in child

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What is a bifurcation in a divorce proceeding?

Bifurcation by definition means the splitting of a main body into two parts. In a divorce proceeding, it is asking the court to divide the case into separate stages, one on the grounds for the divorce and one on the financial issues. The primary advantage of bifurcation is that it permits the court to divorce

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If I pull money out of my savings account, is that considered income when calculating child support?

The answer is NO. On May 24, 2012, the Illinois Supreme Court heard a case called In re Marriage of McGrath. In McGrath, Mary and Martin were divorced in 2007. The settlement agreement stipulated that Mary would have custody of the parties’ two children, and Marin would pay child support. The parties agreed to postpone

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Is a Discretionary Bonus accrued during the marriage but issued after the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage marital property?

In a recent case In re Marriage of Wendt, that came down from the First District Appellate Court on August 16, 2013, the answer is no. The Appellate Court held that a nonvested discretionary bonus accrued during the marriage, but received after entry of a judgment for dissolution of marriage, is NOT marital property. The

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What is Valuation?

The word “valuation” has many meanings. (It was held in State of Missouri ex rel. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. v. Public Service Commission of Missouri, 262 U.S. 276, 310, 43 S. Ct. 544, 554, 67 L. Ed. 981, Pub. Util. Rep. (PUR) 1923C-193, 31 A.L.R. 807 (1923), that “value is a word of many meanings.”)

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