A person will likely experience many changes after getting a divorce. One spouse may move to a different city or state to get a fresh start. If children are involved, a parenting plan will be created to allocate parental responsibility and scheduled parenting time, among other things. Also, finances will be affected, since the spouses will no longer be sharing incomes. Another adjustment for a newly single person will be how he or she files taxes at the end of the year. An individual’s tax filing status will be different after a divorce, especially if children are involved. 

Filing Status

Depending on when the divorce is finalized will determine how a couple can file. If the divorce is final before December 31 at 11:59 p.m., each party must file their own individual tax return for that year. However, if the couple remains married at this time, they may choose whether to file taxes jointly or individually. A single person often can only claim one allowance, but a married couple has access to several. 

Any person who grew up with divorced parents will tell you it is not easy. Although the divorce rate in the United States has decreased, slightly less than half of all marriages still end in divorce. Traditionally, two people get married and then start a family, so children are often caught in the crossfire of a divorce. Studies have shown that children of divorce are more likely to marry another person with divorced parents, and those couples are more likely to get a divorce themselves. If the cycle of divorce continues, it is important for parents to learn how to communicate with their children about the end of their marriage. 

Open Communication

How the discussion of divorce should be handled will depend on the age and emotional maturity of a child. If there are multiple children with significant gaps in age, it may be best to individualize these discussions. Some of the most important aspects of these conversations include being open and honest while talking to children about divorce. Expect a wide range of reactions and emotions, which could go on for a period of time, even after the divorce is final. Some tips for discussing divorce with children of different ages include:

Before a divorce, most parents care for their children together under one roof. Once a divorce is finalized, parents will need to continue providing the same level of care for children while living in separate households. This can be a difficult adjustment for parents, especially if there is bad blood between them. The goal for successful co-parenting is for a child to be minimally affected by a divorce, and a parenting plan can help achieve that. 

What Is a Parenting Plan?

In Illinois, when adults with children get divorced, how the child is taken care of after the split is determined by a parenting plan. This plan is a court order signed by a judge, to which both parents agree. The parenting plan dictates who has parental responsibilities for the child (custody), as well as parenting time with the child (visitation). For example, a parenting plan may state that the child will spend the weekdays with one parent, and the weekends with the other. No matter how it is organized, a judge will only sign off on the plan if it is believed to be in the best interests of the child. 

Planning a wedding requires a lot of work, but getting a divorce has just as many challenges. After being served with divorce papers, it may be difficult to know what to do next. If you and your spouse were married for a long time, going through a divorce means figuring out how to split the life you two created together. Although it is possible to go through a divorce without legal representation, it is recommended to speak with a lawyer to leave the marriage confidently. There are many variables to a divorce, and if your spouse has an attorney, you will be at a significant disadvantage if you do not. An experienced divorce lawyer will know which questions to ask and the necessary actions to take to ensure you get the most out of your divorce settlement. 

Marital Issues That Need to Be Addressed

When sitting down with a lawyer, be sure to discuss the following topics regarding your divorce:

When two people decide to get a divorce, it is not only their marriage that is splitting. Everything that a couple built together will be divided. In regards to assets, Illinois is an equitable division state. Unlike a community property state, which splits marital assets 50/50, Illinois divides property based on what is fair. When it comes to the family home, it will be given to whomever the court deems is deserving based on certain factors surrounding the marriage. The other spouse will likely move to another location, and the couple's children will usually split their time between the parents' homes.

Factors Considered for Division

• Contribution to the marriage: When dividing marital assets, such as the home, the court will review and consider what each spouse contributed to the marriage. If one spouse gave up his or her career to raise children, that can be considered a significant contribution. In many cases, the other parent may have traveled for work and was gone for long periods at a time, so one parent staying home was a necessity to maintain the household. The court also considers economic circumstances such as employment-related issues such as income earned or the income-earning potential of each spouse. This factors into whether or not a person can afford to make mortgage and property tax payments on a house. 
• Child status: Courts attempt to disrupt a child’s current lifestyle as little as possible. Decisions are made with the best interest of a child in mind. That being said, when possible, a court will try to keep a child in the marital home. This also allows them to remain in the same community and school district. The parent with the most parental responsibility, in turn, may get the family home because it is the best choice for the child. 

Contact a Rolling Meadows Divorce Lawyer

The family home is filled with memories and it is where your child is likely the most comfortable. When going through a divorce in Illinois, determining which spouse gets to keep the house is based on what is considered “fair.” The skilled legal team of Anderson and Associates, P.C. has handled many divorce cases, and we understand Illinois divorce and family law matters. For any asset or property division concerns, contact an experienced Barrington division of marital property attorney to learn about your rights and options in regards to the family house. Call our office today at 847-995-9999 to schedule a free consultation.

Divorce brings changes to all members of an immediate family. Instead of giving custody to one parent over the other, Illinois allocates parental responsibility and parenting time through a parenting plan, which is a court order that maps out how a child will be taken care of after divorce. This schedule includes details such as when a child stays with each parent. The parenting plan will also specify how decisions are made for education, religion, and medical care are covered, as well as who has the authority to make these decisions. Things like school and extracurricular activities will be taken into consideration when creating this plan, and it is best if co-parents can communicate with each other about expectations during the school year. 

School Issues to Consider  

When creating a parenting plan, it is best to avoid disrupting the child’s life as much as possible. There are a couple of things to keep in mind regarding education:

Many married people fear getting divorced, especially if they have been together for a long time or have children. If someone has been divorced once before, the stakes can seem even higher if he or she is contemplating a second divorce. It is often stated that half of the marriages in the United States end in divorce. However, the actual statistic is less than half, with first-time divorce rates decreasing since the 1980s. However, the rate for second marriages to end in divorce is between 67-80 percent. Third marriages end at an even higher rate. Even if someone has gone through a divorce before, it is important to seek legal guidance, because each marriage and divorce is unique. 

The Divorce Process in Illinois

Everyone has their own reasons for deciding to get a divorce, but some common reasons include infidelity, different life goals, unmet expectations, or falling out of love. People sometimes marry after a brief courtship, and they do not have time to discuss important issues involved with marriage, such as career goals or having children. 

It is no secret that getting a divorce is expensive. Not only can you lose money in the process, but the time and energy required can also take a toll. A divorce can compromise your finances, so it is important to be smart about money during this time.

During divorce, marital property is divided between spouses, and this property includes all assets and debts acquired during the marriage. When property is divided between divorcing spouses in Illinois, this division should be done in a fair way. This is referred to as equitable distribution. However, each spouse's share of the assets is rarely equal, as decisions about the division of assets are based on many factors, such as the length of the marriage and the couple's standard of living. 

When a married couple gets divorced, they must split up the life they created together. When it comes to dividing property, there are many factors that determine who gets what during a divorce. However, each spouse is entitled to receive a fair portion of the marital assets. During divorce, it is best to seek legal counsel in order to understand your rights and the best approach to take as you determine how to divide your marital property. 

Equitable Distribution 

In the state of Illinois, marital property is divided using a system of equitable distribution. While this term may lead one to believe that property is divided equally, this is not necessarily true in every case, and property will be divided based on what is fair for both spouses. There is rarely a 50/50 split of property during a divorce. What is determined to be fair by the courts is based on a variety of factors, including: 

While divorce is difficult on the adults involved, it can be especially traumatic for the children a divorcing couple shares. How you handle the divorce can have a lasting impact on your children’s lives.  

One of the biggest concerns parents have when getting a divorce is when they will see their children. In Illinois, there is no longer “custody.” Parental responsibilities are determined and parenting time is decided and maintained through a parenting plan. A parenting plan determines which parent the child spends time with and when. Other details such as school pickups, holidays, and extracurricular activities will also be covered in your parenting plan. 

While parents are always proud when their children go off to college, there is no ignoring the immense financial burden higher education can bring, for students and parents alike. Paying for college is not easy for most families, and it is further complicated for parents currently involved in the divorce process or already divorced.

Illinois is one of the few states where a judge can order a parent to pay tuition and other college expenses if a mutual decision cannot be made. This part of family law in Illinois is called post-high school educational expenses. 

When getting a divorce, there are many decisions to be made. Because of the sensitivity of topics in family law such as child custody and the division of marital assets, a mediator can be a helpful resource when planning your future. Discussing the terms of your divorce with a mediator can decrease the time, energy, and money you spend in court. 

What is Divorce Mediation? 

Mediation is when a neutral third party helps two conflicting groups come to an agreement in a structured meeting or meetings. A mediator does not make decisions for either party but is there to ask questions and lead the discussion toward a resolution. The mediation process starts with both sides making an introductory statement, followed by listing concerns related to the disagreements. The mediator will listen and find common goals of the parties. If the initial session does not result in an agreement, the parties can meet with the mediator to try again. 

People get married intending to spend the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately, not all relationships work out, even after having been committed to the partnership for a long time. A divorce is a stressful life event to go through, especially after years of commitment and having children together. After the legal process, it may take time to get over divorcing your spouse. 

Why Do People Get Divorced?

Each couple is different, and the specific reasons for divorce vary, but there are several common reasons a couple will decide to end their marriage. Infidelity is one of the most common reasons a marriage ends. An unfaithful spouse has traditionally been a standard legal grounds for divorce, as they are breaking their marital vows. Other reasons for divorce include different aspirations, financial difficulties, or the loss of love for each other. 

A divorce can be the most painful break up a person will face. An attorney will assist with creating a parenting plan for your children or dividing assets with your spouse, but how to continue after the divorce is up to you. It is essential to take care of not just your physical and financial well-being, but there are steps you can take to be emotionally healthy as well:

Deciding to get a divorce is the first step to complete the legal process. Whether you and your spouse make the decision together, or it is a one-sided decision, the process of getting a divorce can seem overwhelming. Having experienced legal counsel will make the divorce process easier, particularly if any issues arise. 

Illinois Divorce Laws

In Illinois, divorce is legally referred to as the dissolution of marriage. To file for divorce in Illinois, you must have resided in the state for at least 90 days. To begin the legal process, the first step is to hire a skilled divorce attorney who can complete all the required paperwork. Details about your marriage and your spouse will be included, including where you were married, places of employment, and addresses. These forms must be filed with the county court you are asking for a divorce. There will be a filing fee, and if necessary, a service fee. 

When getting a divorce, one of the biggest concerns is how decisions regarding children will be made between the former spouses. In Illinois, this is called parental responsibility, which dictates the important aspects of a child’s life. Decisions about medical care, education, and religion are made by the parents, who share this responsibility. Decisions about a child’s care are made through what is called a parenting plan. 

What is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a court order that decides which parent sees the child and when, and how they are cared for. Although the time spent with both parents is rarely an exact 50/50 split, in most cases, the court will decide that the child will benefit the most from seeing both parents regularly. In lieu of “visitation” in Illinois, the term used is “parenting time,” which is defined as time performing parental duties and care. 

A married couple may decide to start a family, but what happens if that couple decides to get a divorce while expecting a child? A divorce and pregnancy are stressful on their own, but experiencing them together presents a unique set of challenges. In Illinois, a pregnancy in no way restricts your ability to end a marriage, but there are some reasons a family may choose to delay divorce finalization until after the child is born. 

Whether this is a first child or a new addition, it will be important to discuss what is best for your growing family. Although you and your spouse may not see eye to eye anymore, reaching common ground about an unborn child and divorce will reduce everyone’s stress. Consider some of these points when making decisions about your divorce with a baby on the way. 

It is never a bad thing to plan for the worst-case scenarios in life, including what will happen if your marriage ends in divorce. Planning with your significant other for issues like the division of marital assets while you are on good terms is better than arguing about them during a contentious divorce process. Having a plan in case of divorce may seem like a negative way to start a marriage, but it can give peace of mind no matter what happens after tying the knot. 

Getting married affects all aspects of your life, including finances, social life, inheritances, and more. Meeting with an experienced family law attorney to create a legal agreement in case the marriage fails can benefit both parties in the long run. 

Marriage is a union that brings two people together. In order to get married in Illinois, two adults age 18 years or older have to sign a marriage license at the county clerk’s office. After presenting proper identification and paying a fee, you can be legally married. It takes two consenting adults to get married, but when it comes to divorce, if one partner cannot be located, service by publication can be issued to relieve the abandoned partner.

When getting a divorce, the first step is to file a petition to end the marriage with the court. This involves paperwork you file with your local clerk’s office. Your petition will be assigned a case number and a judge, and a summons will be issued. The summons is what the other spouse receives to initiate the divorce process. There are five ways to provide this notice:

Child custody, known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois, is one of the more complicated aspects of a divorce. Despite your opinion and feelings about your ex-spouse, you both still have the common ground of loving your children together. No one wants to feel like their children are taken away, or that they are being purposely kept from them. With the right parenting plan, you can create a schedule that benefits everyone. 

In recent years, Illinois has implemented changes to family law procedures regarding divorce and children. Along with the change from child custody to the allocation of parental responsibilities, the terms “sole” and “joint” custody are no longer used. Visitation is also an outdated term, and parenting time is now used in its place. 

With all the planning and effort it takes to get married, getting a divorce is an equally demanding reversal. However, instead of booking venues and picking flower arrangements, you are hiring attorneys and dividing assets. Some religions also frown upon divorce, which can add another layer of complexity. Still, there are many possible reasons someone may decide to divorce their spouse. 

In Illinois, a judge will grant a divorce if the couple has irreconcilable differences or has lived separately for six months. The divorce process starts by filing forms and serving them to your spouse. If you are conflicted on your reasons for wanting a divorce, here is a list of common factors that often cause individuals to make the critical decision.