Marriage is not only an emotional pact you make with a significant other, it is a legal and financial commitment that requires trust in order to last. Among the reasons someone might file for divorce is financial infidelity, spending money without a spouse’s knowledge that can quickly lead to divorce. Financial infidelity is an outright…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
Michael Strauss Recognized by the University of Illinois College of Law
Michael Strauss recognized by the University of Illinois College of Law, Alumni Reporter for his Richard H. Teas Legislative Support Award. Michael Strauss has been selected by the ISBA to receive the 2019-2020 Richard H. Teas Legislative Support Award. The award acknowledges an ISBA member’s meritorious service provided in support of ISBA’s legislative efforts in…Read More
Regarding Litigants and Facebook
I write on the issue of judges having litigants or lawyers who appear before them as friends on Facebook. Rule 62 of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules is part of Canon of Judicial Ethics. “A judge should not allow the judge’s family, social or other relationships to influence the judge’s judicial conduct or judgement.” That…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
File Your Taxes, Even if You Can’t Pay – Tax Penalty Review
The following article, published on the Illinois State Bar Association, Family Law Section, by Alan Stumpf, Stumpf & Gutknecht, P.C. Last week the WSJ warned taxpayers about the duty to file an income tax return, and the roadmap of what happens after the filing delinquency, in the article, “The IRS is the most powerful creditor…Read More
Gary Schlesinger’s Letter to the Editor
Gary Schlesinger’s, Letter to the Editor, published by the Lake County Bar Association, Docket, Titled, Withdrawing an Appearance as the Attorney of Record.
Ex-Spouse Social Security Benefits
Couples that are divorcing later in life, aka gray divorce, may wonder if they are eligible for a portion of their ex-spouse’s social security benefits and the answer is yes, you are entitled to half if: you were married for 10 years or more you are at least 62 in age you remain unmarried your…Read More
