MLG LAW GROUP-CHICAGO DIVORCE AND CUSTODY LAWYERS

My divorce and post decree clients that have people with traits of toxic narcissism often struggle with trying to explain or discuss what it can be like living with someone with such toxic traits, especially when the person is able to maintain a facade of normalcy on their work or neighborhood relationships.  Sometimes, I have to coach clients to understand that it can be difficult persuading others as to how emotionally damaging these relationships are, especially when the narcissist is “high functioning,” or otherwise able to disguise their abusive behaviors from the rest of the world.  Living with someone with a toxic narcissistic personality disorder can be brutal, especially when the narcissist uses the relationship to emotionally abuse their partner, and tries to turn children, neighbors, and even family members against the otherwise healthy partner. Signs and symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder and the severity of symptoms vary. People with the diso...

1.  Minimize conflict . Conflict in divorce is natural.  Unfortunately, this conflict can destabilize a child's environment.   Commit to minimizing conflict by agreeing not to fight in front of the children and to resolve issues through mediation instead of litigation. 2.  Avoid casting the other parent in negative light.   Regardless of your personal feelings about your ex, they remain your child's parent.  Be respectful of that relationship by avoiding the urge to demonize the other parent or denigrate the love and affection they have for your child.  If you cannot bear to say something nice, at least keep it neutral. 3.  Maintain a united front . Rules may differ between households, but maintaining a united front regarding the need to respect the other parent's rules at their home adds some consistency to your co-parenting relationship that is comforting to your child.  4.  Give your child space .   You'...

The Mehta Law Group is one of Chicago’s premier law firms. Our team of lawyers and staff are here to serve you and to help build a better future for yourself and your family. We represent individuals, families, and children in every aspect of the legal process from beginning to end. Our attorneys bring with them over 30 years of combined experience, we are professional, and treat every individual with the respect they deserve. We are hardworking and don’t back down, our goals is always to advocate for our clients, to ensure a positive end result. Whether you are contemplating filing a lawsuit, or whether you have had a lawsuit filed against you, our team can provide superior representation with the goal toward obtaining the best possible outcome. The Mehta Law Group’s mission is to ensure that your case takes priority. It is our belief that every case deserves the utmost care, regardless of the issues presented. We have successfully served our clients throughout the years and will d...

Divorcing parents must reach agreement on several issues related to their children.  Prior to meeting with your mediator, consider your preferences with regard to the following areas: 1.  Parenting time .  The court will want to know how you and your spouse wish to divide parenting time.  What  schedule makes the most sense for your family?  Consider your children's schedules, your work schedules, and the distance between the your homes. 2.  Decision making .  Formerly referred to as "legal custody," the court now wants to know which parent will have responsibility for making decisions for the children in 4 main areas: medical, educational, religious upbringing, and extra-curricular.  Parents often choose to have "joint decision-making" responsibility for all 4 areas.  Occasionally, however, parents may agree that one parent will have "sole decision-making" responsibility for one or more areas. 3.  Division of expenses . In addition...

1.  Minimize conflict . Conflict in divorce is natural.  Unfortunately, this conflict can destabilize a child's environment.   Commit to minimizing conflict by agreeing not to fight in front of the children and to resolve issues through mediation instead of litigation. 2.  Avoid casting the other parent in negative light.   Regardless of your personal feelings about your ex, they remain your child's parent.  Be respectful of that relationship by avoiding the urge to demonize the other parent or denigrate the love and affection they have for your child.  If you cannot bear to say something nice, at least keep it neutral. 3.  Maintain a united front . Rules may differ between households, but maintaining a united front regarding the need to respect the other parent's rules at their home adds some consistency to your co-parenting relationship that is comforting to your child.  4.  Give your child space .   You're not the only...

Parental Alienation One of the hallmarks of my practice is the ability over the years to manage, and aggressively attack, Parental Alienation cases.  In order for an attorneys to effectively manage a case involving HCPs (High Conflict Personalities), personality disorders, and PA ( Parental Alienation), the attorney should have years of experience dealing with these cases, along with years of experience interfacing with clinicians that not only understand PA, but that are also willing to bring that expertise to the case and create, along with my work, and effective strategy to deal with the alienated children (through both legal and clinical channels), to create reintegration plans for the targeted parent, and to devise court orders that set sanctions and appropriate boundaries on the alienating parent. Dr. Bone is a reliable expert commentator of PA and the issues surrounding litigating these cases: __________________________________ From J. Michael Bone, Ph.D. ___________...

The Mehta Law Group is one of Chicago’s premier law firms. Our team of lawyers and staff are here to serve you and to help build a better future for yourself and your family. We represent individuals, families, and children in every aspect of the legal process from beginning to end. Our attorneys bring with them over 30 years of combined experience, we are professional, and treat every individual with the respect they deserve. We are hardworking and don’t back down, our goals is always to advocate for our clients, to ensure a positive end result. Whether you are contemplating filing a lawsuit, or whether you have had a lawsuit filed against you, our team can provide superior representation with the goal toward obtaining the best possible outcome. The Mehta Law Group’s mission is to ensure that your case takes priority. It is our belief that every case deserves the utmost care, regardless of the issues presented. We have successfully served our clients throughout the years and will d...

The Mehta Law Group is one of Chicago’s premier law firms. Our team of lawyers and staff are here to serve you and to help build a better future for yourself and your family. We represent individuals, families, and children in every aspect of the legal process from beginning to end. Our attorneys bring with them over 30 years of combined experience, we are professional, and treat every individual with the respect they deserve. We are hardworking and don’t back down, our goals is always to advocate for our clients, to ensure a positive end result. Whether you are contemplating filing a lawsuit, or whether you have had a lawsuit filed against you, our team can provide superior representation with the goal toward obtaining the best possible outcome. The Mehta Law Group’s mission is to ensure that your case takes priority. It is our belief that every case deserves the utmost care, regardless of the issues presented. We have successfully served our clients throughout the years and will d...

Parental Alienation One of the hallmarks of my practice is the ability over the years to manage, and aggressively attack, Parental Alienation cases.  In order for an attorneys to effectively manage a case involving HCPs (High Conflict Personalities), personality disorders, and PA ( Parental Alienation), the attorney should have years of experience dealing with these cases, along with years of experience interfacing with clinicians that not only understand PA, but that are also willing to bring that expertise to the case and create, along with my work, and effective strategy to deal with the alienated children (through both legal and clinical channels), to create reintegration plans for the targeted parent, and to devise court orders that set sanctions and appropriate boundaries on the alienating parent. Dr. Bone is a reliable expert commentator of PA and the issues surrounding litigating these cases: __________________________________ From J. Michael Bone, Ph.D. ___________...

Things To Know About Illinois Divorce Law   Here are 40 things we think everyone should know about divorce. 1. You can’t use the same lawyer as your spouse. 2. Annulments are rare and typically a religious term. 3. File for divorce locally in the county you or your spouse lives in. 4. You have to live in Illinois for at least 90 days to file here. 5. The case will last as long as it takes you to agree on all issues. 6. It is possible to ask your spouse to be responsible to pay your attorney’s fees if there is a disparity in income. 7. While you can dispute the contents or grounds of a divorce and delay it., typically you cannot stop a divorce from happening. 8. For the most part, it doesn’t matter who did what to cause the divorce. 9. Children don’t get a say in custody, but as they get older they have more influence. 10. Most cases settle and don’t go to trial. 11. There is a difference between legal separation and divorce. 12. If you change your mind during ...

Things To Know About Illinois Divorce Law   Here are 40 things we think everyone should know about divorce. 1. You can’t use the same lawyer as your spouse. 2. Annulments are rare and typically a religious term. 3. File for divorce locally in the county you or your spouse lives in. 4. You have to live in Illinois for at least 90 days to file here. 5. The case will last as long as it takes you to agree on all issues. 6. It is possible to ask your spouse to be responsible to pay your attorney’s fees if there is a disparity in income. 7. While you can dispute the contents or grounds of a divorce and delay it., typically you cannot stop a divorce from happening. 8. For the most part, it doesn’t matter who did what to cause the divorce. 9. Children don’t get a say in custody, but as they get older they have more influence. 10. Most cases settle and don’t go to trial. 11. There is a difference between legal separation and divorce. 12. If you change your mind during ...

What is considered marital property in Illinois? Illinois  is not a community  property  state – it is an “equitable division” state. That means  marital property  and debts need not be divided 50 / 50. Rather, the law requires  property  to be divided "equitably." Many cases are resolved with 60/40, 70/30 splits and some even allocate ALL  marital property  to one spouse.

Things To Know About Illinois Divorce Law   Here are 40 things we think everyone should know about divorce. 1. You can’t use the same lawyer as your spouse. 2. Annulments are rare and typically a religious term. 3. File for divorce locally in the county you or your spouse lives in. 4. You have to live in Illinois for at least 90 days to file here. 5. The case will last as long as it takes you to agree on all issues. 6. It is possible to ask your spouse to be responsible to pay your attorney’s fees if there is a disparity in income. 7. While you can dispute the contents or grounds of a divorce and delay it., typically you cannot stop a divorce from happening. 8. For the most part, it doesn’t matter who did what to cause the divorce. 9. Children don’t get a say in custody, but as they get older they have more influence. 10. Most cases settle and don’t go to trial. 11. There is a difference between legal separation and divorce. 12. If you change your mind during ...

The Mehta Law Group is one of Chicago’s premier law firms. Our team of lawyers and staff are here to serve you and to help build a better future for yourself and your family. We represent individuals, families, and children in every aspect of the legal process from beginning to end. Our attorneys bring with them over 30 years of combined experience, we are professional, and treat every individual with the respect they deserve. We are hardworking and don’t back down, our goals is always to advocate for our clients, to ensure a positive end result. Whether you are contemplating filing a lawsuit, or whether you have had a lawsuit filed against you, our team can provide superior representation with the goal toward obtaining the best possible outcome. The Mehta Law Group’s mission is to ensure that your case takes priority. It is our belief that every case deserves the utmost care, regardless of the issues presented. We have successfully served our clients throughout the years and will d...

Parental Alienation One of the hallmarks of my practice is the ability over the years to manage, and aggressively attack, Parental Alienation cases.  In order for an attorneys to effectively manage a case involving HCPs (High Conflict Personalities), personality disorders, and PA ( Parental Alienation), the attorney should have years of experience dealing with these cases, along with years of experience interfacing with clinicians that not only understand PA, but that are also willing to bring that expertise to the case and create, along with my work, and effective strategy to deal with the alienated children (through both legal and clinical channels), to create reintegration plans for the targeted parent, and to devise court orders that set sanctions and appropriate boundaries on the alienating parent. Dr. Bone is a reliable expert commentator of PA and the issues surrounding litigating these cases: __________________________________ From J. Michae...

The Mehta Law Group is one of Chicago’s premier law firms. Our team of lawyers and staff are here to serve you and to help build a better future for yourself and your family. We represent individuals, families, and children in every aspect of the legal process from beginning to end. Our attorneys bring with them over 30 years of combined experience, we are professional, and treat every individual with the respect they deserve. We are hardworking and don’t back down, our goals is always to advocate for our clients, to ensure a positive end result. Whether you are contemplating filing a lawsuit, or whether you have had a lawsuit filed against you, our team can provide superior representation with the goal toward obtaining the best possible outcome. The Mehta Law Group’s mission is to ensure that your case takes priority. It is our belief that every case deserves the utmost care, regardless of the issues presented. We have successfully served our clients throughout the years and will d...

Things To Know About Illinois Divorce Law   Here are 40 things we think everyone should know about divorce. 1. You can’t use the same lawyer as your spouse. 2. Annulments are rare and typically a religious term. 3. File for divorce locally in the county you or your spouse lives in. 4. You have to live in Illinois for at least 90 days to file here. 5. The case will last as long as it takes you to agree on all issues. 6. It is possible to ask your spouse to be responsible to pay your attorney’s fees if there is a disparity in income. 7. While you can dispute the contents or grounds of a divorce and delay it., typically you cannot stop a divorce from happening. 8. For the most part, it doesn’t matter who did what to cause the divorce. 9. Children don’t get a say in custody, but as they get older they have more influence. 10. Most cases settle and don’t go to trial. 11. There is a difference between legal separation and divorce. 12. If you change your mind during ...

In Illinois you can get divorced by publication, but only after a Judge grants you permission to do so. To do that you must first file for divorce and then show up to court.  At that point you have to convince the Judge that you have no idea where your spouse is or how to contact them.  You have to show the Judge all of the efforts you have made to contact your spouse. These efforts include sending notice to their last known address, texting them, calling them, seeking out contact information from their relatives and friends, contacting their last known employer, etc. In other words, you can’t pretend like you don’t know how to find them.  If their name is James Smith and you haven’t seen them in ten years, it’s one thing, but if it’s a unique name then finding them on social media is likely possible.  The Judge wants to see a good faith effort and proof that you’ve been diligent in trying to serve them with notice of the divorce. So if you’ve done al...

Things To Know About Illinois Divorce Law   Here are 40 things we think everyone should know about divorce. 1. You can’t use the same lawyer as your spouse. 2. Annulments are rare and typically a religious term. 3. File for divorce locally in the county you or your spouse lives in. 4. You have to live in Illinois for at least 90 days to file here. 5. The case will last as long as it takes you to agree on all issues. 6. It is possible to ask your spouse to be responsible to pay your attorney’s fees if there is a disparity in income. 7. While you can dispute the contents or grounds of a divorce and delay it., typically you cannot stop a divorce from happening. 8. For the most part, it doesn’t matter who did what to cause the divorce. 9. Children don’t get a say in custody, but as they get older they have more influence. 10. Most cases settle and don’t go to trial. 11. There is a difference between legal separation and divorce. 12. If you change your mind during...

Parental Alienation One of the hallmarks of my practice is the ability over the years to manage, and aggressively attack, Parental Alienation cases.  In order for an attorneys to effectively manage a case involving HCPs (High Conflict Personalities), personality disorders, and PA ( Parental Alienation), the attorney should have years of experience dealing with these cases, along with years of experience interfacing with clinicians that not only understand PA, but that are also willing to bring that expertise to the case and create, along with my work, and effective strategy to deal with the alienated children (through both legal and clinical channels), to create reintegration plans for the targeted parent, and to devise court orders that set sanctions and appropriate boundaries on the alienating parent. Dr. Bone is a reliable expert commentator of PA and the issues surrounding litigating these cases: __________________________________ From J. Michael Bone, Ph.D. ...

Summer means flip-flops, barbecues, sunshine and ... peak  divorce  season? With children out of school and family vacations planned, summer can be a time that adds stress to many marriages. But it can also be a time to start planning for divorce if a spouse is considering it, family law and psychology experts say. Divorce filings consistently tick up in August and March, according to a  study presented in 2016  at the American Sociological Association. The research, done by University of Washington sociologists, analyzed filings in Washington state between 2001 and 2015 and found the biannual pattern. "If there are problems in the marriage, they often get exacerbated when couples spend more time together if things are not going well, and then we see that spike when they return to their routine," said Jennifer Brandt, an attorney based in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Brandt and Eric Wrubel, a New York divorce atto...