Reviewing Our Most Popular Family Law and Divorce Blogs of 2023

 Posted on January 26, 2024 in Family Law

Family law encompasses many types of matters. Getting a divorce, addressing issues related to child custody, adopting a child, establishing paternity, or addressing other issues that will be handled in family court will all involve multiple types of legal considerations. Handling these matters can be difficult enough on its own, but the strong emotions that may sometimes be involved in these kinds of cases, and the stress of dealing with unfamiliar legal procedures, can make them seem overwhelming. Fortunately, an experienced family law attorney can be an invaluable guide and source of information during these types of matters. At Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C., we provide high-quality representation in all matters related to family law, and we also offer information about these cases on our blog. In 2023, we had a number of blogs that people found helpful. Our most-read blogs during the year were the following:

1. Will a Marriage Counselor Ever Suggest Divorce? - Marriage counseling can be beneficial for couples who have encountered relationship issues and are considering a divorce or separation. While a counselor may not suggest that divorce would be the best option for spouses, they may help a couple understand alternative options, such as mediation.

2. What Happens When Child Support Becomes Past Due in Illinois? - Divorced or separated parents who are primarily responsible for caring for their children will often rely on the child support payments they receive to meet their children’s needs. If the other parent stops paying child support, this can lead to financial difficulties that may affect the children’s well-being. Fortunately, there are options for enforcing child support obligations or modifying child support orders to fit a family’s changed circumstances.

3. How Can My Spouse's Financial Infidelity Affect Our Divorce? - Financial infidelity may include a variety of actions by a spouse in which they spend money without informing their partner. Since these kinds of issues may be a primary reason for a couple’s divorce, they may be addressed during the divorce process. If a spouse dissipated marital assets, this may affect decisions about property division.

4. If My Spouse Does Not Work, Will I Have to Pay Alimony in Our Divorce? - Alimony, which is also known as spousal support and maintenance, may be appropriate in situations where a spouse needs financial assistance in order to maintain the standard of living the parties enjoyed while married. A spouse’s unemployment may affect decisions about spousal support, although voluntary unemployment or underemployment will not necessarily mean that a spouse will be eligible to receive alimony payments.

5. Are Engagement Rings Supposed to Be Returned in a Divorce? - Engagement rings can present unique concerns during the divorce process. They may have sentimental value in addition to their monetary worth. Determining whether rings must be returned or whether a spouse can keep their ring may be a complicated process, and it is important to understand how Illinois law will apply in these situations.

6. Can Having a Separate Bank Account Protect Me in My Illinois Divorce? - For some spouses, maintaining their own bank accounts can help them establish financial independence. However, it is important to understand that any assets acquired during a couple’s marriage are considered to be marital property, including the funds held in separate bank accounts. All marital assets must be distributed equitably during the divorce process.

7. Can a Parent Move to Another State After an Illinois Divorce? - Divorced parents may choose to relocate for a variety of reasons, including to pursue employment opportunities, to be closer to extended family, or to receive a fresh start. Parents who share custody of their children will need to understand how the parental relocation laws in Illinois may affect their ability to move with their children.

8. How Can Asset Dissipation Affect Property Division in a Divorce? - Asset dissipation may include any misuse of marital property for purposes that are not related to a couple’s marriage. It may involve spending marital funds to have an affair, wasting money on gambling or addictions, or purposely destroying property. When this issue is raised during the divorce process, a spouse who dissipated assets may receive a smaller share of the marital estate.

9. What Is the Process Followed in a Step-Parent Adoption in Illinois? - While adopting a step-child is usually not a difficult process, there are certain requirements that need to be met, including receiving permission to terminate the parental rights of the child’s other parent

10. The Benefits of Adopting a Stepchild Who Has an Absent Parent - Stepparents who have build strong relationships with their stepchildren can take steps to ensure that permanent legal bonds are put in place so that children will always have supportive parents in their lives.

Contact Our Hillside Family Law Attorney

We look forward to continuing to provide valuable information about legal issues that may affect divorcing spouses, parents, and other family members. If you have any questions about divorce or any other family law subjects, or if you are looking for legal representation in these types of matters, Law Office of Vincent C. Machroli, P.C. is here to help. Our Oak Park divorce and child custody lawyer can provide the guidance you need while advocating for your rights and your children’s best interests. Contact us at 708-449-7404 to arrange a free consultation today.