Posted on October 12, 2023 in Divorce

Illinois is a no-fault state. So, regardless of domestic behavior problems or abuse, either spouse can file for divorce at any time. Domestic violence’s impact on divorce is felt more so when it involves children. If you suspect violence or have been on the receiving end of it yourself, seek safety immediately. Once you and your children are safe, your next call should be to a trusted attorney experienced in domestic violence cases.

What Does Illinois Consider Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is harassment, injury, or threat of injury to a family or household member. Household and family members under Illinois law:

• Blood relatives
• Married couples
• Dating couples or ex-couples no longer dating who share a home
• A roommate
• Individuals with shared children
• People with disabilities

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 03, 2023 in Prenuptial Agreements

A prenuptial agreement, premarital agreement, or prenup, is a contract that two people enter into before they get married. A prenup can be used to establish the rights and responsibilities of each spouse in the event of a divorce or death. There are many reasons why couples might choose to get a prenup.

A prenup can be a valuable tool for protecting your assets, your children, and your financial future. When considering marriage, it is important to talk to an attorney to discuss your options and to make sure that you understand the terms of a potential prenup.

Reason #1: Protecting Your Assets

Significant assets, such as a business, real estate, or investments, should warrant a prenup consideration. Establishing a prenup can help to avoid conflict and save money on legal fees should a divorce occur. By having a prenup in place, you and your spouse can avoid having to negotiate the division of assets and debts in court that were written into the agreement. Marital assets are still subject to a court-ordered equitable split under most circumstances (see postnuptial agreements).

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 27, 2023 in Child Custody / Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Custodial interference occurs when a parent prevents the other parent from having their court-ordered visitation with their child. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as:

• Refusing to let the child go to the other parent's house
• Hiding the child from the other parent
• Moving out of state without the other parent’s permission
• Picking up the child early or dropping them off late
• Showing up unexpectedly during the other parent’s parenting time
• Keeping the child from talking to the other parent on the phone or video chat

Custodial interference is a serious problem that can have a devastating impact on you and your child. There are steps you can take to protect your rights and your relationship with your child. It starts by contacting a family law attorney who can help you understand your options and can represent you in court if necessary.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 13, 2023 in Divorce

You currently reside in Illinois and are in the process of a divorce. Unlike many couples who are experiencing this landmark decision, you and your partner are on amicable terms. Rather than fight and shout at each other, you have simply grown apart.

You may be wondering if this arrangement is unusual and you may be unsure as to how to proceed with a divorce. However, we assure you that you are not alone. An experienced lawyer can assist you through this difficult time. Here at Calabrese Associates, we are here to help you throughout the divorce process.

Under What Conditions Is Someone Allowed to File for Divorce?

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. This means a couple does not need any specific reasoning in order for the divorce to be granted. Rather, the pair can simply state that they can no longer function as a couple and the court can grant them a divorce. While this may seem like an easy process, how quickly and efficiently the divorce moves will depend on how much the couple is willing to negotiate on various legal matters.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on September 07, 2023 in Divorce

Divorce is usually a challenging process. It is not a surprise that if you are in the process of divorce, you may have many questions about your future. One issue that might come up is whether you will receive full parenting rights (defined in Illinois as having the authority to make decisions for a child and the ability to spend time with a child as her caregiver).

It is true that this path can be complex. Perhaps you might worry that since you are the father, you will not receive parenting rights. But you should not feel hopeless. An Illinois family law attorney can assist you. Here at Calabrese Associates, we are here to help navigate your journey, and we will do our best to help.

Why the Courts Favored Women in the Past

For a long time, many believed that the mother should have full parenting rights for her child. This assumption is based on two central reasons:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 30, 2023 in Divorce

When parents in DuPage County, IL, divorce, one critical decision is to determine how to divide the allocation of parental responsibilities of their children. The two main terms these responsibilities fall under are legal custody (now referred to as “decision-making”) and physical custody (“parenting time”).

Decision-making responsibilities refer to the right to make important decisions regarding a child's upbringing. These decisions can include education, medical care, and religion. Parenting time refers to visitation rights and how much time the child will spend with each parent.

If you are going through a divorce in DuPage County, IL, and are concerned about the allocation of parental responsibilities for your child, it is important to talk to a family law attorney. An attorney can help you understand your rights and options and can represent you in court.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 25, 2023 in Division of Assets

The division of assets during and after a divorce can be a hard process. This is especially true when retirement accounts have major tax implications. As couples untangle their financial lives, retirement accounts can become a focal point, as they often make up a significant portion of a couple’s wealth. It is important to be aware of what can happen to your taxes when you divide assets during divorce so you can avoid unexpected financial troubles down the road.

How Dividing Assets Works in a Divorce

In general, the tax rules for dividing assets in a divorce are relatively simple. Under Section 1041 of the Internal Revenue Code, there is no tax on property transfers between spouses or former spouses.

However, some exceptions exist. If you get a distribution from a retirement account not qualified for rollover, you might have to pay taxes on earnings. Also, if you are younger than 59½ years, a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty could apply on any distributions from a retirement account.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 10, 2023 in Divorce

One major aspect of divorce is the division of assets, including retirement accounts. This is often seen as a complex process. Inflation, and its effect on the value of assets after divorce, is something that divorcing couples should consider.

Understanding Inflation’s Impact

Inflation erodes the buying power of money over time. The value of assets may diminish in real terms as the cost of living rises. This dynamic can have massive implications in a divorce for asset division and retirement accounts.

Assets Affected by Inflation and How to Protect Them

There are certain assets, such as savings accounts, 401(k)s, and IRAs, that are more subject to inflation’s effects. Cash assets can be particularly prone as their value falls with rising inflation rates. In contrast, real estate has historically been viewed as a potential guard against inflation, as property values tend to increase over time.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on August 03, 2023 in Divorce

Divorce is a major life change that can be especially difficult for children. They may experience a range of emotions, and how they cope with everything will vary depending on their age, personality, and the circumstances of the divorce. However, there are some things that parents in Dupage County can do to help their children overcome the changes and adjust to their new family situation.

Types of Emotional Responses to Divorce

The emotional impact of divorce can vary widely in children. Some children may only experience mild behavior changes, while others experience something more severe. The following are some of the most common emotional responses to divorce:

• Sadness

• Anger

• Guilt

• Fear

• Confusion

Factors That May Affect a Child’s Ability to Cope with Divorce

Understand that there is no right or wrong way to feel after a divorce and every child will experience it differently. Therefore, it is critical to allow children to express their emotions.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 31, 2023 in Divorce

For whatever reason, a spouse may not respond when they have been served with divorce papers. They may not want to face reality, or they think that the matter will go away entirely. Failure to respond to a divorce filing could lead to a default judgment. In that case, the court only has the filing spouse to listen to, and they will usually grant the divorce on the terms that the spouse is seeking.

When a Spouse Is Considered to Be in Default

Court rules set the time limit for responding to a divorce filing. The defendant in the proceedings would have 30 days to file their answer. If they give the court good reason, the judge could extend the deadline to file the answer. However, the defendant may simply not respond at all. In order to avoid a default judgment, the spouse must do the bare minimum to participate in the process. They could even avoid default if they file an appearance with the court within 30 days.

The Default Process

Continue Reading ››