MLG LAW GROUP-CHICAGO DIVORCE AND CUSTODY LAWYERS

Debt is a primary reason for many, if not most, divorces. Though divorce often appears to be the way out of those problems, after a divorce, your debt problems won’t disappear automatically. In reality, just the opposite of what you are thinking may be true. Yes! Unfortunately, your problems are likely to increase. Your marital property and assets are divided in the divorce process. However, you shouldn’t forget that your debts are also divided in a divorce. In fact, debts can add more tension and complexity to the divorce proceedings. There are lots of issues associated with the division of debts during and after divorce. Let’s explore them: How debts are divided at divorce In a community property state, your marital debts are considered as joint debts of which both of you are equally responsible, that is in a 50-50 ratio. For instance, if you and your spouse have $20,000 as a marital debt, then both of have to pay $10,000 each. Community property states include Arizona...

Top Ten Ways to Survive the Holidays During and After Divorce Coping with separation, divorce and loss is MAGNIFIED as the holiday season approaches. Many people feel overwhelmed by the stress and strain of trying to maintain the status quo, when in fact, their entire world is collapsing around them. The Holiday season serves as a constant reminder of festive, happier times and is contrasted by the stark reality of loneliness and despair. While others are eagerly anticipating the holidays, a newly separated or divorced person often approaches this time of year with panic, sadness, and dread. Although there are no magical solutions to cure the holiday blues, there are things you can do to make it easier to cope. 1. PLAN AHEAD - Plan to do something that is fun, relaxing, and as stress free as possible with people you really care about. If the holidays are just too painful and the reminders are everywhere, consider a vacation that allows you to "escape " the painful tri...

Top Ten Ways to Survive the Holidays During and After Divorce Coping with separation, divorce and loss is MAGNIFIED as the holiday season approaches. Many people feel overwhelmed by the stress and strain of trying to maintain the status quo, when in fact, their entire world is collapsing around them. The Holiday season serves as a constant reminder of festive, happier times and is contrasted by the stark reality of loneliness and despair. While others are eagerly anticipating the holidays, a newly separated or divorced person often approaches this time of year with panic, sadness, and dread. Although there are no magical solutions to cure the holiday blues, there are things you can do to make it easier to cope. 1. PLAN AHEAD - Plan to do something that is fun, relaxing, and as stress free as possible with people you really care about. If the holidays are just too painful and the reminders are everywhere, consider a vacation that allows you to "escape " the painful tr...

Sweeping changes were made to Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (“IMDMA”), including changes to Section 513, which is the new divorce law on college expenses in Illinois that regulates the allocation of post-secondary education expenses for non-minor children.  These changes go into effect January 1, 2016, and eliminate some confusion and room for disagreement that led to litigation under the current version of Section 513. The changes bring clarity, definition and certainty, but that will also mean that some obligations that might be imposed under the current version of Section 513 will no longer be imposed when the new law goes into effect. Section 513 requires both parents to contribute to the post-secondary educational expenses of their children according to factors that are intended to determine the amount each parent (and the student) must contribute. The list of possible expenses has been open-ended and open to interpretation whic...

One of the first things that happen in divorces in which there is a disparity in income between the spouses is that the spouse with less income (or no income) files a petition for temporary support. The new revisions to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (“IMDMA”) effective January 1, 2016, will drastically change the procedural steps for obtaining temporary support. The changes to Illinois divorce law on temporary support were made with the intention of streamlining and unifying the process throughout the State, reducing litigation costs and ensuring more accurate information is provided when temporary support is determined. Temporary support is addressed in Section 501 of the IMDMA and covers things such as child support, spousal support and other issues related to the temporary needs of the spouses going through a divorce. Temporary means while the case is pending and before a more permanent arrangement can be established. The need to establish...

(CNN) Pope Francis on Wednesday called for a more open Church -- one that embraces people who are divorced and remarried and their children. "No closed doors!" the Pope said to a crowd gathered for his weekly audience in Rome. "The baptized who have established a new union after the failure of sacramental marriage are not at all excommunicated: they are not excommunicated. And they absolutely should not be treated as such," the Pope said. Catholics who are divorced and remarried, while not excommunicated, are currently barred from receiving communion. In October, Catholic bishops from around the world will meet at the Vatican to review this and other church teachings on the family. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that while divorce itself does not "constitute a moral offense," "contracting a new union, even if it is recognized by civil law, adds to the gravity of the rupture: the remarried spouse is then in a situation of public ...

Back-to-School Tips for Families After a Recent Separation or Divorce Returning to school after summer vacation can be difficult at the best of times, but it poses additional challenges for children if a separation or divorce occurred over the holidays. Here's advice to help your children answer questions from schoolmates- and how to know when to seek professional help for your child. By Diana Shepherd August25,2015 Going back to school is always a stressful time for children and parents; some greet it with joyful excitement, while others are anxious and depressed when the summer holidays are over. This is true for all families -but when there has been a separation or divorce over the summer, children can be especially anxious about returning to school. What are they going to tell their friends? Their teachers? If children believe the divorce was their fault -and most children do, until repeated reassurance convinces them they're blameless -they may be experiencing feelings of ...