Areas of Practice
f
Contested & Uncontested Divorce
Whether or not you and your spouse are in agreement with the terms of a divorce, each case is fact specific and requires detailed legal attention to ensure that it is done correctly. If you and your spouse are in total agreement with all of the issues of a case, then an uncontested divorce make sense for you. If there are disagreements that cannot be resolved by negotiation, then you will likely have a contested divorce in which case, a judge may have to ultimately resolve some or all of the aspects of your case. In either scenario, seek out an attorney that can assist you in divorcing you from your spouse.
Paternity and Parentage
Whether you are seeking to be named the father of a child, denying that you are the father of a child, or having someone named the father of a child, Illinois law is fact specific and requires attention to the details regarding the child’s birth. Please contact an attorney to discuss your case and how best to resolve your particular situation.
Pre-Nuptial & Post-Nuptial Agreements
Written agreements regarding property before and after marriage need to be handled with care as they must meet certain requirements to be upheld in court. Equally important is the settling of property matters either prior to marriage or after the marriage has already taken place. In either scenario, I recommend you seek the advice of an attorney who can draft an agreement for both parties.
Parenting Time/Visitation
Spending time with your children is both a privilege and a right as a parent that should not be taken lightly. The precious moments you spend driving them home from school, tucking them into bed, or eating with them at the dinner table provide contact with them that I enjoy as a parent. Whether you are seeking to assert your right to parenting time or denying/restricting a parent’s parenting time, these situations often require a ruling or recommendation of a judge. Having an attorney advocate on your behalf or negotiate an agreement in the courtroom will be helpful in achieving your goals.
Parental Responsibilities/Custody
Being a parent requires making significant decisions for your child regarding his/her health, education, religion, and extra-curricular activities. Having that decision making authority granted to you or taken away from you is of great importance in a child’s life. A family law attorney should be able to help you if either scenario is happening to you.
Child Support & Expenses
Have you been served legal papers requesting that you pay child support or are you seeking to have someone pay child support for your child? Timely action is required to make sure you ensure that child support payments are made on time, that you receive your child support, or that you object to paying child support based upon a sound legal argument. Having an attorney that has handled many child support cases can only strengthen your case and bring results that matter to you.
Removal/Relocation of Children
Moving your child away from their current residence beyond the permissible limits of Illinois law must meet certain legal requirements. If you are looking to relocate greater than 50 miles away from where you currently reside with your child or if you are objecting to a the relocation of your child, then legal steps must be taken before you begin to pack the suitcases and boxes. A knowledgeable attorney should be able to help guide you through the necessary steps to make this happen.
Grandparents Rights
Grandparents enjoy specific but limited rights in Illinois when it comes to their grandchildren. Knowing how and when to act is important depending upon whether you are a parent or a grandparent. A knowledgeable attorney should be able to help you whether you are a parent or a grandparent.
Spousal Maintenance/Alimony
Even though Illinois law provides a calculation to determine the amount and duration of maintenance a former spouse can receive as a result of a divorce, there are some requirements that must be met before a single dollar is paid. A knowledgeable attorney should be able to help guide you through the process and determine what maintenance must be paid if any.
Post-Decree Issues
Once a divorce decree is entered by a judge, issues and problems may arise especially if there are children or unresolved financial matters. For example, when a child has both graduated from high school and reached the age of 18, then a modification of child support should be in the works. Or when a retirement account has to be divided via a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) or Qualified Illinois Domestic Relations Order, then certain steps must be taken to ensure that a carefully drafted document is entered as a court order. Many other issues may arise months or years after the ink has dried on a divorce decree with which an attorney can assist you.
Mediation
Mediation can be a powerful tool in resolving issues between spouses, parents, business partners, and virtually any situation involving a dispute. As a mediator, I have the ability to bring the parties to an agreement to resolve a conflict or issue. If you are seeking to resolve an issue before filing a lawsuit or at any stage in the litigation process, please contact me to discuss how I can help you.
Business
Starting your own business can be a bit of a hassle considering the forms and paperwork that are necessary to do business in the state of Illinois. Choosing between the various types of business entities can be a little bit of a daunting process as well. If you need assistance in starting your business from the ground up or continuing to do business here, please call or contact me to assist you.
Estate Planning
Having an effective estate plan in place can give you much peace of mind in knowing that your family and loved ones will be taken care of down the road. More so, your estate plan should be written to fit your needs and desires because everyone's situation is unique. There isn't a tool or formula that fits everyone's needs. Decisions regarding your assets are hardly easy when faced with bad medical news. Whether you need a simple will, a living will, or a trust, please call or contact me to discuss how I can help you plan for the future.