Year: 2017

A pre-trial conference in a divorce proceeding usually occurs towards the end of the case, once the parties have been able to narrow down their dispute to a handful of issues.  At a pre-trial conference, the attorneys for both parties meet with the Judge and explain...

New Child Support Law Takes Effect July 1, 2017 Beginning July 1, 2017, the child support law of Illinois will see significant changes.  Under the current law, a parent with a majority of the parenting time with the children (custodial parent) receives a set...

Life Insurance and Child Support For litigants in divorce and paternity proceedings where child support is a consideration,  life insurance should also be an important consideration. In the event a parent who is contributing support passes away before his/her...

Once a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed, the responding party must be made a party to the proceedings in order for the Court to obtain jurisdiction over that party. Jurisdiction is the authority of the Court to hear and render decisions in a pending case....

A Living Trust is created by a trust document and designates one or more individuals or corporations to act as trustee.  The trust document directs the trustee to accept title to, or ownership of, real and personal property as trustee for the benefit of the trust’s...

Parenting Class and Education Programs Illinois Supreme Court Rules require that each county or circuit court establish an approved parenting education program. Such programs encourage parents to develop ways to relate to each other that keep their children out of...

Illinois, by statute, allows you to designate, by a written power of attorney (POA), who you wish to have power of attorney over your affairs.  There are two types of power of attorneys in Illinois:  POA for property and POA for health care. Power of Attorney for...

What is a Will? A Will is a common instrument used to enable a person to designate the beneficiaries of their estate.  Wills allow you to make specific bequests.  For instance, if you want your daughter to receive your diamond necklace, your friend to receive your...

Child Custody Disputes: The Role of a Guardian Ad Litem When the allocation of parental responsibilities is in dispute, the Court has the authority to appoint an attorney to investigate the best interests of the child and make recommendations to the Court. That...

In Illinois, it is very important to have a proper plan in place for your estate.  If you do not designate the beneficiaries of your estate while you are alive, when you die, your estate will have to be probated and your property will be divided using a statutory...