DIVORCE
Is difficult at best and a very emotional period of time in your life to end a marriage between two individuals, but if you are contemplating divorce or your spouse has sued for divorce, it will help if you understand the process you will go through to end your marriage and begin building a new life. If you or your spouse has sued for divorce and divorce is inevitable, you should seek out a competent attorney who is knowledgeable in family law and has the ability to guide you through this process preserving your long-term financial and emotional well-being.
Of course, a major concern are the children born to the marriage. This is a critical time for the whole family, especially the children. Parents become so involved in the divorce process, and more often than not, they understandably fail to communicate with the little people in the household to explain what is happening between mom and dad. As a result, the children are not assured that they are not to blame; that mom and dad will always love them and be there for them even though mom and dad cannot live together anymore.
CHILD CUSTODY
There are two types of child custody in Illinois; joint custody and sole custody, and in both types of custody, the decision making power regarding the children reside with both parents. In regards to sole custody, the non-custodial parents decision making power is more than joint custody in the day to day care and control of the minor children such as establishing a curfew, while with joint custody, both parents would be required to make the decision, such as summer camp attendance.
CHILD SUPPORT
The non-custodial parent will pay child support. Child support guidelines are as follows:
No. of children |
% of Net Income |
1 |
20% |
2 |
25% |
3 |
32% |
4 |
40% |
5 |
45% |
6 |
50% |
PROPERTY DIVISION IN DIVORCE
Breaking up a marriage, custody of the children, and child support are hard issues to resolve. You must take into consideration the share of the real and personal property, marital debts and assets that must be divided.
There are many issues that will arise during the real and personal property division, such as the division of clothes and furniture, real estate, pension plans, stocks, bonds, life insurance, as well as the valuation of these assets. These are all issues that a competent family law attorney is familiar with and can guide you through the process.
If you are contemplating divorce, it is advisable to seek a family law attorney in the early stages of divorce to ensure your own emotional and financial well-being as well as the well-being of the minor children. |
