With the new parenting time law in the state of Illinois, many divorcing parents think about parenting time as it relates to child support rather than what may be in the best interest of the child. Because the amount of child support a parent will pay is contingent upon how many overnights they have with…Read More
Fighting a Judgement for Imputed Income
Parents have a fundamental responsibility to support their minor or legally dependent children even if they are divorced. Sometimes a parent will fail to pay their fair share of child support, perhaps because they are out of work or underemployed. Everyone can fall on hard times, but if a parent does not make an effort…Read More
Child Support Debt and Bankruptcy
Parents who have accumulated child support debt often wonder if they have options under bankruptcy to discharge the child support arrears. Although it may be disheartening for parents struggling with significant delinquency to hear, the answer is no because child support is a priority debt and child support and arrears must be paid. However, bankruptcy…Read More
Child Support Statute of Limitations
Many saw the story break last year about a California woman who was awarded child support 50 years after her ex-husband hightailed it to Canada, leaving her to raise their 3 year old without the benefit of financial support. Fifty years later, realizing California did not have a statute of limitations on child support payments,…Read More
Sharing Parenting Expenses After Divorce
Sharing child rearing expenses can be challenging. Divorce almost always means that parents will have to tighten their belts as they begin to maintain separate households. When structuring a divorce settlement agreement, it is important to consider the personal finances involved in co-parenting so that you are not on the losing end of financial arrangements…Read More
College Financial Aid and Divorce
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) uses the information your child provides regarding your financial situation to determine your child’s financial aid eligibility. For parents that are married or reside together, FAFSA takes into account both parents incomes and assets. If parents are divorced and live apart, only the custodial parent is considered…Read More
Child Support for Child Care, Tuition & Extracurricular Activities
Many who are considering divorce worry about the impact divorce will have on their children financially. Beyond the basics of food, shelter and clothing typically covered by child support, many wonder if their child will be able to attend private schools, participate in activities such as sports, dance or music, travel on school field trips…Read More
Family Law Issues Spike During the Pandemic
Family law attorneys across the country have seen an increase in family law matters since mid-March ranging from financial support and custody modifications to inquiries regarding divorce. Working from home, especially with children in the house, has been a source of increased stress for many married couples, and may well be the final straw for…Read More
Painful Consequences Await Those Who Skip Child Support Payments
The State of Illinois takes the payment of child support seriously. If your ex-spouse has stopped making child support payments, there are a variety of tools to encourage parents to comply with court orders so that children get the support they need. Child Support Wage Garnishment If the obligor of child support gets behind on…Read More
Issue of Modifications of Child Support
This month, I am tackling the issue of modifications of child support and recent rulings by the Illinois Appellate Courts regarding this. I am specifically speaking of In re Marriage of Salvatore, 2019 IL App (2d) 180425, In re Marriage of Wengielnik, 2020 IL App (3d) 180533, and In re Marriage of Connelly, 2020 IL…Read More
