Although the formula for basic child support is standard in Illinois, there are expenses that could go beyond the standard child support calculation that simply looks at income, parenting time, and the number of children. There may be children with special needs, and therefore extraordinary expenses, or it may be that one spouse has to…Read More
Co-Parenting Following a Divorce? There’s An App For That.
Raising children consumes so much of our time, energy and attention. Parents not only provide a home and sustenance, but also coordinate many educational and social activities in between. From helping kids get their homework done to scheduling and keeping play dates or doctors’ appointments, parenting is a full time job. When parents’ divorce, juggling home…Read More
Child Custody When a Parent is Facing Incarceration
The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world and, unfortunately, millions of children may have parents that are in jail or prison at some time in their childhood. Because there are potentially negative consequences for a child of an incarcerated parent, considering a child’s best interest with regard to child custody…Read More
Job Loss – Child or Spousal Support Modification
If you are paying spousal maintenance or child support following a divorce, you may wonder what happens if you lose your job. You may be surprised that you could be obligated to pay whatever you were paying while employed, so it is important to discuss your circumstances with an attorney before you assume anything. There…Read More
Illinois Child Support Calculator
Many parents who decide to end their marriage have questions regarding child support because they want to provide for their children after a divorce. In Illinois, child support is determined by considering several factors such as parenting time arrangements, whether there are other children in the household or from previous relationships, the income of both…Read More
Past Due Child Support Relief
Unpaid child support in the U.S. has climbed into the billions and many states are struggling to collect it when parents have all but given up on paying when faced with accumulating child support debt. Not long ago, Maryland started a program to get so called ‘deadbeat parents’ back on track by offering a 10…Read More
Child Support Modification Due to Job Loss
While Illinois residents are celebrating summer with family activities, many sheriffs’ departments across the nation are gearing up for deadbeat raids in an effort to snare unsuspecting parents who are behind on child support payments. Child support debt in the U.S. has increased by 1000 percent, reaching over $114 billion last year. As debt skyrockets,…Read More
Support for a Non-Minor Disabled Child in a Divorce
For many divorce parents, child support ends when their child graduates from high school and turns 18. However, Illinois law provides that one or both parents may be required to continue supporting a disabled adult child. A petition for ongoing support may be filed when a child is mentally or physically disabled and not otherwise…Read More
Conspicuous Consumption Dooms “Penniless” Dad in Child Support Case
Unfortunately, parents do not always provide needed support for their children following a divorce. It may be that they are having difficulty making ends meet, but sometimes it is an intentional effort to escape financial responsibility. Fortunately, the courts are getting wise to the shenanigans that some parents pull so that the best interests of…Read More
Looking to Retirement Funds to Cover Child Support Arrears
In a divorce settlement agreement a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a judgement decree or order that allows an alternate payee to receive all or a portion of the benefits payable to a participant in a retirement plan. In other words, if your soon-to-be-ex-spouse has contributed to a 401k or pension during the marriage,…Read More
