Today there was an oil spill in Lake Michigan. It struck me that an oil spill can be a lot like a divorce: they are sometimes bigger than they look, are created by idiots, and take longer to deal with than expected. [continue reading…]

It’s unusual for a lawyer to talk about how to fire your lawyer. That’s why I’m writing this article.

Should you fire your lawyer? I don’t know. That’s for you to decide. To assist you in deciding I discuss reasons for firing a lawyer before discussing how to do it. [continue reading…]

Find a divorce lawyer in Illinois can be challenging. I know that many people are referred to lawyers by their friends and family, and sometimes by other lawyers.

But one thing I’ve found – from hiring lawyers myself – is that some referrals aren’t worth anything at all. [continue reading…]

If you are thinking about an uncontested divorce in Illinois, you may have talked to family and friends who have been divorced. Getting support from your family and friends is important. But the problem is they can spread the Top 5 Myths about getting an uncontested divorce.

This article is about dispelling the Top 5 Myths about divorce in Illinois. [continue reading…]

Many people wonder if they can date while getting divorced. Others contact me and complain that their spouses are cheating on them.

That begs the question, does dating while getting divorce have any effect on the divorce? [continue reading…]

Many people have heard about a new “right of first refusal” provision that is taking effect on January 14, 2014. As an Illinois child custody lawyer, I find parents are often concerned about this issue. Too bad the new right of first refusal provision is a failure.

I wrote this article to provide a basic explanation of the law, and some commentary.

Long story short: the statute has no teeth and doesn’t go far enough in creating and protecting the right of first refusal in child custody and visitation situations. [continue reading…]

As a divorce lawyer, many people contact me asking for help with a “no-fault divorce.” Most of those people are actually looking for an “uncontested divorce,” also known as a “amicable divorce” or a “divorce by agreement.”

I wrote this article to help people understand the term “no-fault” and why that’s not the same as an uncontested divorce.

Grounds for divorce in Illinois [continue reading…]

As an Illinois divorce lawyer working in Chicago and the counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, and Will, I see all types of people. My clients are from diverse backgrounds. Many people think they need a lawyer who is just like them. I don’t think that’s true. [continue reading…]

It seems like a lot of people want to know how to save money with a lawyer. If you are involved in a family dispute, or a divorce in Illinois, you probably want to know how to decrease the costs of litigation.

Whether you have one of the best divorce lawyers in Illinois, very expensive divorce lawyer, or a relatively affordable divorce lawyer, you probably want to know how to spend less money on your lawyer about getting the same result in your case.

Hiring an Illinois family law attorney is no easy task. Obviously, you want to hire an attorney that is best for you. To address that I wrote the article “Who is the best divorce attorney in Chicago?“

But there are other things you can do to make better use of your financial resources.

Use an attorney that leverages technology

While here are numerous factors that can make some one of the best attorney for you, one of it overlooks factor is the attorneys use of technology.

Let me explain to you how I use some technology. I use secure online storage to their clients can have easy access to the document. Then also enables them to easily send me documents. Further, I make extensive use of email, some attorneys do not. I use email extensively with communicating with my clients, and with opposing counsel. That saves a lot of money that would otherwise be wasted on the expense of postage and the time involved in mailing hard copy communication.

I ran across one attorney who did an excellent job leveraging technology for the benefit of her client. Chicago divorce lawyer Marie Fahnert received permission from a judge to conduct a hearing via Skype. In that case, the man was bed-ridden, and the attorney’s use of technology was key to the success of his case. While your case may not be that extreme, Attorney Fahnert’s case does illustrate the important role played by an attorney’s creative and effective use of technology.

Avoid unnecessary communication

One of the biggest wastes of time and money is creating unnecessary communication. Divorce and child custody disputes can be very stressful. But you should be careful not to use your lawyer as a therapist. First of all, lawyers do not tend to be good therapist.

You will also want to be careful not to flood an attorney with unnecessary communication about the facts of a case. In divorce and child custody cases, some facts are relevant to the proceeding, and some facts are not. Your lawyer should help you understand what facts are relevant. If you flood an attorney with too many irrelevant facts, you are likely to waste money and to distract from the more meaningful facts.

Organize your evidence

As an Illinois divorce lawyer, one of the most time-consuming aspects of my job is to organize my clients’ testimony and evidence. Here are a few tips you can use to keep your communication organized:

1. Use email efficiently: Don’t send 10 emails a day, unless there is an emergency. It is much better to have one email with clearly delineated topics. Using bullet-points can help keep your emails organized.
2. Label evidence effectively: I normally coach my clients how to keep their evidence organized. When clients send me their evidence in an organized fashion, that’s less time I have to spend organizing the client’s evidence. And that saves the client’s money.

Can your lawyer explain technology

The use of technology is one of the major drivers in attorney efficiency. But how can you determine how well your attorney utilizes technology? Most likely, at attorney would not just up and admit “I have no idea how to make use of technology, therefore our communication will be slow and your bill will be 10 percent higher.”

I suggest asking any attorney you’re thinking about hiring the following questions:

1. Do you communicate via email?
2. Can I access my case file online?
3. Do you have the capability to conduct a teleconference?
4. How do you prefer to communicate with attorneys on the other side?

A lawyer that cannot explain technology is probably not going to be any good at using technology to help you prove your case. Using technology can be important in cases involving hidden money, secret accounts, and cryptocurrency (like bitcoin); you can learn more about that at this article.

“Is property divided 50-50 in an Illinois divorce?”

As an Illinois divorce, I get that question a lot. The answer? Yes. And no

I wrote this short FAQ on division of property in an Illinois divorce.

How is property divided in an Illinois divorce?

Property is decided “equitably” in an Illinois divorce. Equitably is a fancy word for fair – it’s probably used just to make things seem more sophisticated. Lawyers like that. I’m just going to use the word “fair.”

A fair division of property might mean that you get 60 percent of the property, and your spouse gets 40 percent, or vice versa. Or perhaps the property will be split equally(50-50).

Who decides what is fair?

Judges decide what a fair division of property is, unless the parties can agree. If  spouses can settle a divorce without a trial, or get an uncontested divorce, then the sp0uses choose for themselves what they think is fair.

But what if spouses don’t agree?

Then the judge decides what is fair. If you go to trial, you may very well find out that your version of fair does not comport with the judge’s version. Who do you think will win?

What property is divided in a divorce?

Not all property the spouses own is subject to division upon divorce. Only marital property is divided. Marital property is property that is acquired during the marriage – with a few exceptions that are beyond the scope of this article.

By the way, it doesn’t usually matter much whose name is on the property, or who purchased it. For example, if both spouses have separately-titled bank accounts that were opened and funded during the marriage, they might be under the impression that they get to keep an account simply because only his or her name is on it. That would be wrong. The accounts would be marital property and could be divided upon divorce.

Property division misconceptions are one reason I answer “yes” when someone asked me “Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in Illinois?”

For a bit more about dividing property, you might want to checkout my articles “Dividing property in divorce: Overview,” and  “Uncontested Divorce & Marital Settlement Agreements: The Home.”

Divorce mediation can be a way to speed up you divorce and avoid animosity. As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I write about many contentious topics on this site, including child custody, child support, and dividing marital assets.

But I want to make sure that people know about divorce mediation and some of what I see as the main benefits.

Mediation = Vegas?

What happens there, stays there.

What happens in mediation stays in mediation. In other words, mediation is confidential – for the most part.

Allow me to compare mediation to litigation in regards to privacy. [continue reading…]

A couple weeks ago I represented a client who was defending against an emergency order of protection procured by his ex-wife. She accused him of myriad types of harassment, from posting threats on Facebook, to making threats of bodily harm on the phone. She also accused him of raping her.

I showed the judge she was a liar. [continue reading…]

As an Illinois family law attorney practicing in Chicago, Naperville, Skokie and elsewhere, I know many people getting divorced have questions about how much alimony will be paid for how long. They often contact me with considerable anxiety about the issue.

First, you should know that in Illinois, what used to be called “alimony” is now called “spousal maintenance.” So that’s how I’ll refer to it in this article.

Here is the real truth: it’s up to the judge. All judges are different, and the facts of your case are different than the facts of other case.

Length and amount maintenance

The length and amount of maintenance is determined by the degree of existence of the following factors:

1. The age of both parties
2. The health of both parties
3. The property owned by each party, including what was awarded in divorce
4. The income and future earning ability of each party
5. The needs of each party and the standard of living of the marriage
6. The time required for the party seeking maintenance to become self-supporting
7. The extent to which the party to receive maintainance contributed to the career/education/licensure o the other party

Termination of maintenance

If maintenance is awarded, these days its almost always temporary. For one year, two years, or something else. The days of lifetime maintenance are pretty much over.

But however long maintenance is for – whether that be through judgment or settlement – it can be terminated early.

Section 510(a-5) of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (the “IMDMA”) outlines various factors that can be used by the court in deciding to terminate maintenance:

1. Any change in the employment status of either party and whether the change has been made in good faith;
2. The efforts, if any, made by the party receiving maintenance to become self-supporting, and the reasonableness of the efforts where they are appropriate;
3. Any impairment of the present and future earning capacity of either party;
4. The tax consequences of the maintenance payments upon the respective economic circumstances of the parties;
5. The duration of the maintenance payments previously paid (and remaining to be paid) relative to the length of the marriage;
6. The property, including retirement benefits, awarded to each party under the judgment of dissolution of marriage, judgment of legal separation, or judgment of declaration of invalidity of marriage and the present status of property;
7. The increase or decrease of each party’s income since the prior judgment or order from which a review, modification, or termination is being sought;
8. The property acquired and currently owned by each party after the entry of the judgment of dissolution of marriage, judgment of legal separation, or judgment of declaration of invalidity of marriage; and
9. Any other factor that the court expressly finds to be just and equitable.

Hiring a spousal maintenance lawyer

If you are concerned about the payment of spousal maintenance (formerly known as “alimony”), there is probably enough at stake to warrant hiring an Illinois family law attorney.

If you are concerned about a change in maintenance – such as terminating, increasing, or decreasing it – that is accomplished by filing a motion in court. If you contact me we can get started.

As a lawyer who represents clients in spousal maintenance issues, I can’t guarantee results, but I make arguments designed to lead the court to the desired result.

You may also like to read my article, “Dividing property in divorce: Overview” and “Divorce in Illinois: Financial disclosure basics.”

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I’ve got one word for people who don’t want to needlessly spend money on a lawyer. And that word is “sane.” I’m dedicated to helping people get an affordable divorce in Chicago, and elsewhere in Illinois.

Who can get an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce can work regardless of income level, kids, or property issues. “It’s a myth that an uncontested divorce is only for people of modest means.  The other week, a neurosurgeon contacted me about the process.

Whether you are a high net worth family or not, an uncontested divorce in Illinois might be an option.

Benefits of an Uncontested divorce

An uncontested divorce is almost always immensely less expensive and faster than one where the spouses fight it out. Divorce is about moving on with life. And often the easiest way to do that is to come to agreement and to put the past behind you. Many people can hire a lawyer for a flat-fee for an uncontested divorce.

My clients benefit from the efficiency of the process I use. I provide documents either by mail or electronically, and in an uncontested divorce, my client usually only has to appear in court once – when the divorce is granted. The divorce might take only one month.

Lawyer provides information about uncontested divorce

UncontestedDivorceInIllinois.com will not provide legal advice, but instead will help arm people with useful information and direct them to a divorce lawyer and Illinois family law attorney. Visitors will also be able to submit questions and have them answered by an Illinois family law attorney and Chicago divorce lawyer.

Questions that will be addressed include:

1. What is the process of an uncontested divorce in Illinois?
2. Can we both use the same lawyer in an uncontested divorce?
3. How long does a divorce take?
4. How do I find an uncontested divorce lawyer?
5. What are the main issues we need to agree on?
6. How is property and debt divided?
7. What do we do about the house, and do I need an Illinois real estate lawyer?
8. How much child support should be paid in Illinois?

 Warning: “Online divorce” nonsense

People should be warned against using online websites to complete divorce documents without the assistance of a lawyer. Using a website to create legally binding documents can lead to what I call divorce déjà vu – problems the spouses think they solved, but instead, may rear their ugly heads years later. Instead of creating problems by trying to use a website as a lawyer, I can assist people with an affordable uncontested divorce so they can try to move on with life with less stress.

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I can tell you that many parents are flabergasted upon learning that a court can force them to pay for their children’s higher education through Section 513 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (the “IMDMA”), titled “Support for Non-minor Children and Educational Expenses.” 

Getting this law changed should be a no-brainer. A good start would be helping Illinois’ unmarried veteran parents deal with a court ordering them to pay college expenses.

I am proposing a statutory amendment to assist unmarried veteran parents in paying for their children’s higher education. [continue reading…]

“He cheated on me,” my new client told me. “Isn’t there anything I can do about that?” she asked.

As a Chicago divorce attorney, I’m asked that type of question about adultery frequently. And while adultery and cheating often make headlines – for instance with General David Petraeus’ resignation from his position as the director of the CIA – people interested in divorce in Illinois should realize this one truth: cheating and adultery is almost totally irrelevant to getting divorced.

Below is a brief breakdown of cheating and adultery as applied to divorce in Illinois.

Grounds for a divorce and the “waiting period”

When someone files a “petition for dissolution of marriage” to start off of divorce, he or she must allege grounds for a divorce. Most people allege “irreconcilable differences,” or what people often refer to as “no-fault.” While it is true that adultery can be alleged, almost no one does that any more – not even those who have been cheated on.

In Illinois, when citing “irreconcilable differences” as the grounds for divorce, parties must have been living “separate and apart” for two years before being granted a divorce, a period that can be reduced to six months of both parties agree.

However, when citing “fault-based” grounds such as adultery, there is no waiting period. So for some wanting a quick divorce, it might be tempting to allege adultery. However, proving adultery is time-consuming, and expensive, and quite likely will not speed up the finalization of a divorce.

Dividing marital property

When getting divorce, marital property is divided, while parties’ non-marital property is not divided. Someone who has been cheated on may think that because he or she has been wronged, then the other party should get less of the marital property. Alas, it doesn’t work that way. Adultery is totally irrelevant to the percentage of the marital property awarded to either party.

Spousal Support, known as “alimony”

Did your husband or wife cheat on you? If so, that hurts. But it will have zero impact on the amount of spousal support (aka alimony) that is paid, if any. Some lawyers make think that characterizing a spouse as a “cheater” will make a judge dislike the spouse, and and that the non-cheater will somehow benefit. But that is unlikely – most divorce judge are too busy to worry about something that is legally irrelevant.

Dissipation

The issue of dissipation is the only area in which adultery is pragmatically relevant. Dissipation occurs when, sometime after the irretrievable breakdown of a marriage has begun, one spouse uses marital funds for non-marital purpose. For example, if a husband buys his girlfriend a $200,000 condo in Las Vegas, those funds have been dissipated, and the wife should essentially be paid back. Dissipation can stem from many different activities aside from adultery, like gambling or an addiction to drugs.

Most people don’t want to spend money on a Chicago divorce lawyer. I have one word for those people – sane!

Unfortunately, when seeking a divorce in Illinois (called a “dissolution of marriage”), when spouses try to handle a divorce on their own, mistakes happen, and time is wasted. I wrote this article to address some common questions about hiring a family law attorney in Illinois.

Do I need a lawyer for a divorce in Illinois?
No, you don’t need a lawyer. Likewise, when you are a passenger on a plane, you don’t need a pilot – but things might go a bit smoother a trained professional at the helm.

True, there is a lot of free information out there about how to get a divorce. Some services help you draft material you need to file for divorce. However, an Internet-based form will not answer anyone’s questions, should they arise.

I can tell you from experience that people often have misperceptions about the law of divorce in Illinois – most of which is in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. For example, people often think because one one name is one a bank account, that bank account is absolutely the sole property of the spouse whose name is on it – but that’s not true.

The point is, if you are using a form to help you get divorced without a lawyer, you run the risk of making ill-informed decisions that could impact your life for years to come.

My husband/wife and I agree on everything, we don’t need a lawyer, do we?

Even when people agree, having a lawyer can have benefits for both. First, even if only one party has a lawyer, at least the settlement agreement will be written in a professional manner.

Further, unfortunately, sometimes people think that both spouses are in agreement – but they find out differently later. I cannot tell you home many times a client has said to me “We’re very amicable, I don’t think we’re going to need to worry about that issue,” then a couple months down the line, those same people are driving each other nuts with disagreement. A lawyer can help prevent problems.

It won’t take me too much time to get divorced in Illinois, will it?

It depends what you consider “too much time.” You will need to go to court to file papers, figure out how to draft agreements, and deal with court procedure. Then, you have to actually appear in court several times if you are trying to handle your divorce yourself. Maybe you don’t want to take off time for work? Maybe you don’t want to waste a lot of time with confusing legal forms? That’s another reasons to hire a lawyer.

After we get divorced, will we every have to come back to court?

It’s possible – especially when the divorce doe not appropriately wrap up all the loose ends. Here’s an example involving a house. During a marriage, the wife agreed to co-sign on the sister-in-law’s mortgage. The spouses drafted their own settlement agreement, which included a provision that stated the husband would indemnify the wife against any payments for his sister’s mortgage. However, since the agreement wasn’t professionally drafted, and the judge who approved it must not have read it, the wife (now ex-wife) had to hire me to clean up the mess. And frankly, at this point, it might be impossible to fix everything.

Long story short, prevent divorce deja vu – don’t try to go it alone and create the risk you will have to revisit the matter years later.

We want an uncontested divorce – can we use the same lawyer?

Some lawyers might agree to represent both parties. If you find one that will – run!

For an uncontested divorce in Illinois, many people want to have both spouses use the same lawyer. But if a lawyer does that, he or she cannot give any legal advice to either party – and that can be a problem. Instead, what I often do is represent the petition in an uncontested divorce (the petition is the person who files for divorce), and i draft all the agreements. Then, the other party (the respondent) can either choose to represent him/herself, or can hire a lawyer to simply review the documents and to appear when the divorce is finalized at the “prove up.” The advantage to this system is that the spouses to have to hire two lawyers to do duplicative and expensive work – the second lawyer’s job is potentially very light and relatively inexpensive.

[continue reading…]

If you seeking a divorce in Chicago, you may have several options in finding a divorce lawyer. You could ask a friend for a referral, walk into a lawyer’s office around the corner, or use the yellow pages (just kidding).

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I am available to help with your Illinois family law problems. But here are a few general tips for finding a lawyer.

Here are a few tips to finding a Chicago divorce lawyer.

• What happens during your consultation: If a lawyer doesn’t give you any insight, he or she might not be the one for you.
• Does the lawyer tell you what you want to hear: Don’t hire someone who just tells you what you want to hear. Often, both people in a divorce feel as though they lost. Hire someone who is realistic.
• What are you big issues? In the presidential election, winning Ohio was a major goal for both candidates. This is a good lesson for those in divorce. Don’t get lost in the minutia, keep focus on the major issues.

Hurricane Sandy is producing what some call a Frankenstorm – the collision of a hurricane and a one or two Nor-easters.  Apparently the Frankenstorm is a near cataclysmic combination of various storms. As a Chicago divorce lawyer,  I think there can be a sort of Divorce Frankenstorm. If you need help now, you can contact me, Chicago divorce lawyer Dave Wolkowitz. Or, see what constitutes a Divorce Frankenstorm below.

What is a Divorce Frankenstorm?

No one (normal) gets married in Illinois thinking he or she will get divorced. But it happens. Some people are able to have an amicable divorce – those people might consider an uncontested divorce in Illinois. However, one small contentious issue can lead to problems. If your divorce has at least three of the below, you may have a major battle on your hands:

1. Spouse is mentally unstable: Mentally unstable spouses may blame others for their problems, and make false accusations.
2. Spouse is a leach: If your spouse is a leach – happy to enjoy the so-called “marital estate” without putting forth significant effort to earn income, you are likely dealing with someone who wants something for nothing.
3. Too much money: Somehow it seems to be rich people who create the most pain fighting over money – when they need that money the least. Sometimes, people just choose to go their own way and leave with what’s fair. Others seek to maximize their gains. When that happens, people get offended and did in their heels.
4. Parental alienation: Some parents really can’t help themselves from alienating children from the other parent. It’s sick, but it happens.

Interested in an uncontested divorce in Illinois? If yes, you are like many people getting divorced. If you are ready to get started, and contact me, uncontested divorce lawyer David Wolkowitz. For a bit more information, here are some super brief points you should consider:

What is an uncontested divorce?

The spouses must agree on everything. Assets, debts, kids visitation, child support, spousal maintenance (alimony), and so forth. If you are not in agreement on all those things, perhaps your divorce will not be very combative, but it cannot be completed as quickly as a totally uncontested divorce can be done. For more information about one of the more complicated aspects of an uncontested divorce, see my article, “Uncontested divorce and marital settlement agreements: the Home.” It is important to understand when an uncontested divorce probably will not work – for more about that, see my article, “Uncontested divorce: When won’t it work?”

How long does an uncontested divorce take?

The principal determinant is how long the parties take to review the settlements draft by the lawyer. If that review is speedy, spouses can be divorced in less than a month.

Can we use the same lawyer?

Any lawyer who represents both parties in a divorce should retire immediately. However, many people get divorced while only one of them has a lawyer. For example, I might complete the settlement agreements according to terms agreed to by my client and the spouse. Then, the spouse can review those agreements, approve them, then the divorce can be finalized on those terms. See my article,  “Uncontested divorce: Can we use the same lawyer?” for more insight into this issue.

What if my uncontested divorce becomes contested?

If an uncontested matter becomes uncontested, then you can either give up, or fight. If I am representing a client in an uncontested divorce, and it becomes contested, that client can choose to have me represent him in the contested matter.

How man times will I have to go to court for an uncontested divorce?

In literally 99.9 percent of my uncontested divorce cases, there is only one court date. In very rare occasions, if the facts are very unique and the judge insists, there might be more than one court appearance. And most of the time, the only spouse require to appear is the one that files the case. But again, that is ultimately up to the judge.

How can I get started?

I make the process very simple. It is as follows:

1. You agree to have me represent you
2. I send you spreadsheets to fill out
3. We talk briefly
4. I draft your agreements
5. I send you agreements to approve, if necessary, I make changes
6. Your spouse reviews, then approves
7. I file everything in court, then the divorce is finalized about 2 weeks later when we appear at a “prove-up”

For an uncontested divorce contact me, Chicago family law attorney David Wolkowitz. I also wrong a longer article on uncontested divorce titled, “Uncontested divorce in Illinois: FAQ.”

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I know the process of litigating a child custody dispute in Illinois can be confusing to parents. In Chicago, where there are serious child custody disputes the judge will often appoint a child representative or guardian ad litem (GAL). I wrote this article to help explain those two concepts. [continue reading…]

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I can tell you that even for those in an uncontested divorce in Illinois, what to do about the  house is often a problem. One possibility may be a short-sale.  [continue reading…]

A high-net worth divorce in Illinois may involve many of the same issues as other divorces, with a bit more complication. When the case calls for it, I can work with a network of professionals to provide high-net worth individuals with the expertise needed in preparing for divorce.  [continue reading…]

As a Chicago and Lake County divorce lawyer, I understand that high-net worth people have concerns particular to their wealth. You may read the following FAQ or contact me to discuss your situation.

1. Are assets split 50/50 in an Illinois divorce? The judge might divide assets right down the middle, but is not required to. That’s because in an Illinois dissolution of marriage (divorce), judges divide assets “equitably.” What does that mean? Essentially, a judge will divide assets according to what he or she thinks is fair, based on a variety of factors. That could mean a 50/50 split, a 60/40 split, and so forth.
2. Will I have to pay alimony? Alimony is now referred to as “spousal support.” Spousal support is supposed to be rehabilitative; in other words, it is not supposed to last forever.  Judges may use discretion when awarding spousal support, and they are supposed to award support such that the person receiving the support can maintain the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage.
3. How much child support will I have to pay? Child support is set by statute, but deviations are possible. One of the deviations that high-net worth individuals are often concerned with are deviations for high-earners. For example, as outlined in my article  “Illinois child support: the basics,” without any deviation a payor of child support would pay 20 percent of his or her net income pursuant to statute. However, a child support payor may receive a downward deviation if the net income is more than a certain amount; Cook County judges generally allow a downward deviation when the payor’s net income is at least $200,000, and DuPage County judges generally use the $300,000 as the point at which they deviate downward for high earners. You can see my article titled “Child support in Illinois: reduced below guidelines” for an example of a case where I won a deviation for my client.
4. What about my business in a divorce: Business can be marital property if they were started or acquired during the marriage. You may want to view my article titled, “Dividing property in divorce: Overview.”
5. How long will my divorce take? High-net worth divorce can take longer because there are more issues to consider, and because the parties can afford to litigate those issues. The best thing to do is to consult an Illinois family law attorney to get a better idea of the issues involved in your case.
6. How much will my divorce cost? It is impossible to say how much a divorce will cost. Consider that you will simply have to determine if spending money on legal fees is worth it, considering the potential (but uncertain) payoff.

Getting a lawyer for a high-net worth divorce

If you are concerned about your property, that’s understandable. And whether or not you support vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan, I might be able to help. You might be interested in a consultation with me, Chicago divorce lawyer David Wolkowitz. You may contact me online or at Three-One-Two-554-5433 .

Divorcing parents in Illinois often have conflict over who will spend what time with the kids. As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I find that one way to maximize each parent’s time with the kids is to include a “right of first refusal” in a joint parenting agreement (JPA).

You may contact me, Chicago divorce lawyer David Wolkowitz online – and read below to learn a bit about the right of first refusal.

What is a right of first refusal?

It is never easy to allocate parenting time in an Illinois divorce or child custody dispute – but the right of first refusal can help make this easier. Right of first refusal in custody situations commonly means that one parent must first offer the other parent the opportunity to look after their kids before contacting a babysitter or another family member to care for the children.

Right of first refusal typically applies to both planned and last minute situations. Therefore, if a parent makes plans for night out with friends two months, or even two days, prior to the actual event, they must offer the other parent the option to care for their children before making any other arrangements. If the other parent decides not to take the kids during this time, then a third party caretaker such as a friend, babysitter or other family member may be asked to care for the children instead. Right of first refusal may also apply to situations such as doctor’s appointments, vacations, after school daycare, and many other instances.

Benefits of the right of first refusal

The right of first refusal helps parents avoid conflict because it helps maximize each parent’s time with the children.  Further, when the right of first refusal is included in a JPA, parents are more likely to keep each other informed – and that can lead to better parenting. Ultimately, some of the stress inherent in divorce can be reduced.

Dealing with your custody issue

I know that visitation and parenting time can be one of the most contentious issues in a divorce. As an Illinois family law attorney, I think helping my clients spend as much time as possible with their children is one of my most important goals.

If you are concerned about your time with your children, that’s understandable.You might be interested in a consultation with me, Chicago divorce lawyer David Wolkowitz. You may contact me online or at Three-One-Two-554-5433 .

As a Chicago divorce lawyer who deals with division of property and high net worth divorces, I know that people have many questions about  – to put it bluntly – keeping their stuff. You don’t have to be in a high-net worth divorce in Illinois  to be concerned that you keep as much of your property as possible.  [continue reading…]

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I find that an alcoholic husband or wife is one of the hardest situations for a person to deal with in a divorce. Often a person married to an alcoholic will feel like the situation is unfair. And it probably is. That’s why a fresh start may be the best thing.

Problems with kids and custody

An alcoholic parent is normally a bad parent. Even if the alcoholic is not abusive, it is likely that he or she is not putting a full effort towards parenting. When a parent is an alcoholic, alcohol-related problems can translate into restricted visitation or parenting time. [continue reading…]

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I tell clients that in a child custody case, most decisions will be made according to the child’s “best interests,” pursuant to Section 601 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (the “IMDMA”). Therefore, in a child custody matter, a parent’s lawyer needs to apply the law to the sometimes confusing facts of a case.

Evidence in a child custody case in Illinois

Parents in a child custody case can be overwhelmed with evidence, or potential evidence. Part of the challenge is to determine what evidence is relevant, and what is not. It’s not productive to spend time on worrying about gathering evidence that would not be meaningful to a judge. Also, as I wrote in my article “Illinois child custody: Liars common, but not invincible,” lying in child custody cases is commonplace – proper evidence can be effective in defeating lies.

Evidence in a child custody case may include:

• testimony from parents and others
• social media websites (Facebook, etc)
• photographs
• videos
• emails
• text messages
• psychological reports

Getting organized

Parents in a child custody case are rightfully concerned about the cost of the case. To minimize costs, it is important to use a lawyer efficiently.

When I help a parent gather evidence for an Illinois child custody case, I like to help the parent understand how to organize the evidence, and how to communicate its relevance. As a Chicago child custody lawyer, I know that my clients benefit when I spend less time sorting through mounds of evidence, and more time determining how to best utilize that evidence.

Keeping the goal in mind

In a child custody case, the major topics of disagreement are legal custody and parenting time. You will want to gather evidence that is useful for the goal you are trying to achieve.

Legal custody: Legal custody requires a determination of whether parents will have joint legal custody, or if one will have sole legal custody. Whether a parent has joint or sole custody does not determine how much time the child spends with each parent.

Parenting time (visitation): One parent may have sole legal custody, but a child still might spend equal time with both parents. Or, parents might share joint legal custody, but the child may spend 80% of his or her time with one parent.

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I see people lie frequently. Very frequently. But in a hearing a few days ago, I almost completely dismantled the opposing client under cross-examination.

Good news: liars are often stupid

The problem with Illinois family law is that so much of it is “he said, she said.” There is so much “creativity” in testimony that’s it’s a wonder that judges don’t burst out in laughter.

However, the opposing party in my recent hearing seemingly has no bounds to her dishonesty. Though the case has been going on for more than six months (and my client was previously represented by a high-priced lawyer in a fancy building), the recent hearing was the first one wear the opposing client was actually made to account for her crazy accusations.

Child custody liar folded under cross examination

Under my cross examination, the other party stammered like a fool, to say the least. The problem for her was that her lies and intentional mischaracterizations have become so extravagant that she can’t possibly maintain believability.

I think one of my important tasks is to help my client focus on which of the other party’s lies are potentially substantive, and which are drivel. Then, of the lies that are substantive, I believe in helping my client assembler the evidence required to expose the other party appropriately.

People that lie in court commit perjury. It is almost impossible to get the state’s attorney to prosecute a perjury case. However, one can also be held in contempt of court for lying in court – an option I’m more than willing to explore for my clients.

It is important to understand that child custody liars don’t just lie on the stand, they lie at every opportunity, such as in a UCCJEA judicial teleconference when the are trying to effectuate what amounts to a kidnapping; see my article titled “Interestate child custody jurisdiction: UCCJEA ‘judicial teleconference’ is critical” to find out more about that.

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I come across people who are anxious to move on. For people in Illinois with a family law problem, I can usually help. But the other day, someone called me interested in a same-sex divorce. [continue reading…]

As a Chicago divorce lawyer, I find many people who want to get a divorce in Illinois are confused about handling financial matters.  While people generally think they will split some property when they get divorce, financial discovery in divorce is more often a foreign concept. It can lead to some confusion.

Put simply, financial discovery is the process by which each spouse ascertains the financial assets of the other spouse, and the marriage as a whole.  Basically, it’s gathering financial evidence. I wrote this FAQ on financial discovery in Illinois divorce to help people understand what will be necessary during a divorce.

[continue reading…]

Many people think that bigamy is a thing of the past. Most people can barely handle one spouse – why would anyone want more? If you need help with bigamy, contact me, Chicago divorce lawyer David Wolkowitz – I might be able to help.

Causes of Bigamy

There are a couple reasons bigamists could be married to more than one person. They include:

1. It’s a con: Bigamists might just be out to scam people out of their money and stuff. Some bigamists aren’t out for financial gain, but they lie about not being married so they can get married again.
2. Stupidity or confusion: Some people are stupid. Some of those stupid people get married, think they are divorced, but aren’t. Then they get married again. This is becoming more popular due to increased immigration. For example, a person is married in Poland, immigrates to the United States, then tries to divorce the spouse in Poland – but the divorce never goes through.

The Illinois law on bigamy

Section 212 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act addresses bigamy, or “Prohibited Marriage.” It prohibits ”a marriage entered into prior to the dissolution of an earlier marriage of one of the parties” is prohibited (750 ILCS 5/212 (a)). In other words, it prohibits bigamy.

The remedy to a bigamous marriage can be found in Section 301 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/301). To end a bigamous marriage, a court must enter an order declaring the marriage invalid; this was formally known as an annulment. A victim of bigamy would file a Petition for the Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage with the court, and procuring an order of invalidity would most likely be a simple matter or proving the bigamist was married at the time of the marriage the victim is not seeking to have declared invalid.

Dealing with bigamy in Illinois with a Chicago divorce lawyer

Bigamy is a serious harm to its victims. But, ending a bigamous marriage can be relatively simple because there often simply isn’t much to debate: it’s wrong, and it must end. However, if there are children involved, there may be complicated child custody matters to sort out. Further, bigamy can have an impact on who will inherit what should any of the spouses die during the bigamous marriages.

Just the other day, I was successful in obtaining a deviation from child support guidelines for my client. As a child support attorney in Chicago and Illinois, I was happy that I could help my client obtain a court order that lowered his child support payment BELOW statutory guidelines. If you need help with child support, contact me, Chicago divorce and Illinois child support lawyer David Wolkowitz – I might be able to help.

My work resulted in my client’s child support payment being lowered by almost 40 percent.

How did I accomplish that?  Let me walk you through the steps.

Was current Illinois child support payment is appropriate?

Previously, I wrote an article entitled “Illinois child support: the basics“. That article explained that in Illinois, pursuant to Section 505 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (the “IMDMA”) (750 ILCS 5/505), child support is normally a certain pre-determined percentage of the payor’s net income.  Where there is one child, the statute sets the percentage of one’s net income to be paid as support at 20%.

When the child support payor’s income drops, so does the child support payment (in most cases).

My client’s income dropped by about 40 percent, due to retirement and disability. So right off the bat I knew he was entitled to an approximate 40 percent decrease in his child support payment.

What’s going on with the finances?

I was almost certain my client was entitled to some reduction in child support because the decrease in his net income. However,  I also suspected he might also be entitled to a deviation below the child support guidelines. In other words, though the statute suggested he pay 20% of his net income towards Illinois child support, I though he might be able to pay a lower percentage. But to determine if that might be possible, I had to analyze his finances.

I learned that while his expenses were increasing due to the cost of healthcare and medication, his income was artificially inflated in an non-sustainable manner. Further, because his savings were low, his debt was high, and earning potential severely limited, the chances of him greatly improving his financial position was very low.

What’s the strategy for a downward deviation in child support?

I planned a three-pronged approach to lower my client’s child support payments. First, I sought to demonstrate to the court that due to the mother’s income, the child would be well-supported even if the father paid less support. Second, I wanted to demonstrate that because of my client’s healthcare expense situation, it was critical that he be able to save more money – since healthcare costs could spike so easily. Lastly, I wanted to show that his income had an artificial and temporary increase that was unsustainable, thereby compounding his critical need to use his income for his own care.

When it was all said and done, my client’s monthly child support payment was reduced from $800 to $490.

People should support their children. But sometimes, a person may be in a dire position, and thereby have reason to pay less child support.

If you have questions about child support in Illinois – whether you want to increase, decrease, or simply collect what is owed, you can contact me, Chicago divorce and Illinois child support lawyer David Wolkowitz.

Sometimes, an uncontested divorce won’t work.  To find out when that might be, see below.

Plans for an uncontested divorce can blow up.

• Children: In a divorce, child custody issues can be complicated. Even where parents are aiming for an amicable divorce, they sometimes realize they do not agree on how to handle the children. Matters with children are one of those areas were a small problem can create a much longer one.

• House that is underwater: In today’s market, many homeowners own homes on which their mortgage balance is greater than the value of the home. This situation can several strain a marriage, and a divorce – because people cannot agree on how to divide the debt. If spouses can’t agree on how to get out of a home, they probably won’t be able to agree to how to get out of a marriage.

• Mental illness in the marriage: If one spouse suffers from a mental illness, particularly one that is untreated, coming to a sensible marital settlement agreement can be difficult.

• One spouse is uninformed: In an uncontested divorce, the idea is that people are working together. However,if one spouse is uninformed as to his or her rights before coming to an agreement, then becomes aware of his or her rights before the divorce actually occurs, the entire process could be derailed.

• Nasty divorce lawyers: It’s sad to say, but some lawyers operate in a totally unethical manner. They try to stoke in order to run up the bill. Spouses who have truly talked about most issue in the divorce, and who are interested in an uncontested divorce in Illinois, could benefit from choosing their lawyers wisely.

Below is some other information about uncontested divorce:

What is an Uncontested Divorce in Illinois?

Phases of an Uncontested Divorce in Illinois

Uncontested divorce: a lawyer’s role

 Uncontested Divorce & Marital Settlement Agreements: The Home

Uncontested divorce: “Can we use the same lawyer?”

One of the most common questions I get as an uncontested divorce lawyer in Chicago is “Can we use the same lawyer in an uncontested divorce?” Technically, you could. But, there are some very good reason why you should not, and I list some of those below. Feel free to contact me, uncontested divorce lawyer in Chicago Dave Wolkowitz – I may be able to help.

Achieve peace through an uncontested divorce in Chicago

• Lawyers refuse: Most lawyers will refuse to represent both parties in a divorce.
• Advice is restricted: If you use the same lawyer as the other party, you will not receive advice that is confidential. You won’t be fully informed. And even though it is an uncontested divorce, being properly advised is still a good idea.
• Uncontested can turn contested: Sometimes people start a divorce as an uncontested matter, then it turns contested. If both parties are using the same lawyer – and that happens – then both people have to get a new lawyer. That’s not an ideal situation, and can cause added expense.

I recently stopped a sale of a home that a bank was seeking to foreclose upon. Why would a Chicago family law attorney get involved in a foreclosure, you ask? As a family law attorney, I become intimately familiar with my clients’ lives. Just as I hate to see people robbed of a proper role in their children’s lives, I also hate to see banks taking advantage of the same people who paid for their bailout. You should know that if you are facing a divorce and a foreclosure, that’s a double-whammy . . . you can contact me, Chicago divorce and foreclosure defense lawyer David Wolkowitz – I may be able to help. Illinois home foreclosure defense is one of my practice areas.

Borrower died – bank was sloppy

In my recent case, the borrower died, and instead of following the proper procedure, the bank took a shortcut. The borrower’s daughter was my client, and she wasn’t properly notified that the

Hopefully your house is worth more than the materials it's made of

bank began foreclosure proceedings. Further, when a borrower is dead, and the bank then wants to foreclosure, Illinois law requires that a “special representative” be appointed as part of a foreclosure case. The purpose of a special representative is to determine if the borrowers have heirs that should be notified of the foreclosure proceeding. However, in my case, no special representative was appointed. I stopped the sale of a house for my client, the borrower’s daughter, so she could have time to sort the mess out and save the house (almost all of the mortgage had been paid off!).

The bank was lazy

The strange part is – the bank didn’t even know the borrower was dead! Despite the fact that the borrow would have been approximately 80 years old when the bank began foreclosure proceedings, the person who was actually served appeared to the process server to be approximately 47 years old. If the lazy bank did any due diligence at all, it would have easily realized the borrower was dead. But instead, the practically criminally negligent banks don’t care, and just want to bring down the hammer as hard as they can.

Divorce and the Home

When working in Illinois family law, I often deal with issues involving homes. For instance, I previously wrote the article titled, “Uncontested Divorce & Marital Settlement Agreements: The Home,” which addressed how a home can be dealt with in a divorce settlement. If you have a divorce and a foreclosure on the horizon, contact me,  Chicago divorce lawyer and Illinois foreclosure defense attorney David Wolkowitz; I may be able to help you move on with life with the least pain possible.

Particularly with the current housing market, people getting divorced are concerned with what to do with their home. Today, many people are trying to figure out how NOT to get stuck with the home – instead of maneuvering to keep it. If you are interested in an uncontested divorce, dealing with your home – and its mortgage – should be one of your first priorities. If you are interested in an uncontested divorce in Chicago, Illinois, I can help; contact me – an uncontested divorce lawyer in Chicago.

To sell, or not the sell. That is the question.

Here are some options for dealing with your home in an uncontested divorce.

1. Sell the home. The house can be sold prior to the divorce, but then the division of the proceeds, if any, will be not certain until a settlement has been reached. Therefore, a marital settlement agreement (MSA) can be drafted such that it contains a clause that provides a framework for selling the home. For example, an appraiser and broker can be specified so that the ex-spouses need to be minimally involved when the post-divorce house marketing process begins.
2. Refinance. If one spouse is to keep the house after the divorce, the spouse that will remain in the house will often refinance the house in his or her name. But beware, you can’t just call up the mortgage company and say, “I’m getting divorced, can you take my spouse off the loan?” There are procedures to be followed. For example, the person who is going to be the sole borrower on the refinanced loan must qualify as such. If this is the option you choose, it is likely that your MSA will need a custom-crafted clause addressing refinancing the home.
3. Hybrid/Other. There are a variety of ways ex-spouses can share responsibility for a home. For example, both names can be on the title, and one spouse can contribute to the mortgage payments. However, there are many details to work out, such as what happens in the mortgage becomes delinquent, what happens if the person living in the home does not properly maintain it, and so forth.

If you are your spouse, or ex-spouse, is trying to remove your child from Illinois to live permanently in another state, you might become familiar with the the Illinois Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, or the Illinois UCCJEA. I’m an Illinois UCCJEA and family law attorney, so I’ve written this article to give parents a basic understanding of the UCCJEA. Even though I provide this link to the full text of the Illinois UCCJEA, I think most parents would be better-served by viewing some UCCJEA frequently asked questions, or FAQ, below. If you have an interstate child custody dispute involving Illinois, contact me,  Illinois UCCJEA and family law attorney David Wolkowitz; I may be able to help you move on with life with the least pain possible.

What is the focus of the UCCJEA?

The focus of the UCCJEA is to provide a framework for determining which of multiple states has jurisdiction over a child custody case. Parents should understand that the state

What is the first major step in a UCCJEA dispute?

Clearly, a party in each state must file a petition with the court, or no interstate custody dispute exists. However, the first major involvement of the courts in an interstate custody dispute will likely be a UCCJEA judicial teleconference. In a case where jurisdiction is at issue, it’s when the judges in two states have a teleconference to discuss which of two states should hold the hearing mean to determine which of the two states has jurisdiction. As an Illinois UCCJEA lawyer, I wrote an article titled “Interestate Child custody jurisdiction: UCCJEA ‘judicial teleconference’ is critical.”

How does the Illinois UCCJEA determine which state has jurisdiction in a child custody case?

The UCCJEA vests “exclusive [and] continuing jurisdiction” for child custody litigation in the courts of the child’s “home state,” which is defined as the state where the child has lived with a parent for six consecutive months prior to the commencement of the proceeding (or since birth for children younger than six months).

If the child has not lived in any state for at least six months, then a court in a state may take jurisdiction if it has:

1. “significant connections” with the child and at least one parent, and
2. “substantial evidence concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships” may assume child-custody jurisdiction. But, if more than one state has “significant connections” and “substantial evidence…”, the courts of those states must communicate and determine which state has the most significant connections to the child.

How can a state loose jurisdiction?

A court which has made a child-custody determination consistent with UCCJEA has exclusive, continuing jurisdiction over the determination until either:

1. That court determines that neither the child, the child’s parents, nor any person acting as a parent has a significant connection with the State that made the original order and that substantial evidence is no longer available in the State concerning the child’s care, protection, training, and personal relationships, or
2. That court or a court of another State determines that the child, the child’s parents, and any person acting as a parent do not presently reside in the State that initially made the child custody order. In other words: If the kids nor parents still live in the state that had jurisdiction, that state may lose jurisdiction to a new state.

What state can modify a child custody order?

Once a custody determination has been made, a court of another state does not have authority to modify the determination, unless the state with jurisdiction determines that it does not have jurisdiction as noted above, or any state court determines that the child, parents, and any acting parents do not reside in the state which currently has jurisdiction.

To continue with the example of an initial custody determination above, let us say that Chris’ father gets custody of Chris in the Iowa courts, and the mom moves to Arkansas. If Chris spends the summer with his mom in Arkansas, his mom cannot go to the Arkansas courts and attempt to modify custody – Iowa has continuing jurisdiction.

Emergency jurisdiction under the UCCJEA

As noted above, the point of the UCCJEA is to provide a framework for determining which state has jurisdiction over a child custody case. Also as noted above, only a state that has UCCJEA jurisdiction over a case may modify a child custody order. However, the UCCJEA has an “emergency jurisdiction” provision that can empower a different state to issue custody orders. Unfortunately, the emergency jurisdiction provision of the UCCJEA is often used by unethical parents and lawyers to legalize what is, in effect, a kidnapping. For example, suppose Illinois has jurisdiction over a child custody case. A mother who doesn’t like how the Illinois case is going decides to flee with the child to Michigan. Normally, she would be forced to return. However, she might also file a petition asking Michigan to take “emergency jurisdiction” over the case.

A state which does not otherwise have jurisdiction may enter a temporary emergency order, if the child is in danger and needs immediate protection. After issuing such order, the state court should determine if there is an existing custody order from another state in effect. If there is an existing order, the emergency court must allow a reasonable time period for the parties to return to the state having jurisdiction, and argue the issues to the court with jurisdiction.

If there is no previous child custody order in existence, the emergency court’s order will remain in effect until a determination is made in a court having “home state” jurisdiction over the child. If no determination is made, and the emergency court’s state becomes the home state of the child, the emergency order becomes a final determination of custody.

Do I need a lawyer in each state?

If you have an interstate custody dispute, it may be useful to have an attorney in both states. For example, if two parents are disputing whether Michigan or Illinois should have jurisdiction, there will likely be a judicial teleconference. If you are in Illinois, you hopefully have an Illinois family law attorney to appear in the Illinois judge’s chambers during the teleconference. However, unless you have a Michigan lawyer as well, you might find that you are at a disadvantage in influencing the Michigan judge.

Many people contact me stating that they want to get more child support in Illinois. If you have a child support order in place, to get an increase you must file a petition to modify support. As a Chicago family law attorney, I might be able to help – contact me for a consultation.

Please consider the points if you are interested in increasing your child support:

Substantial change in circumstances required: The law regarding support modification requires there to be a substantial change of circumstances after the date of the last support order for support to be modified. For the most part, that means the judge must find the “net income” of the child support payor has significantly increased.

When the payor’s “net income” increased, but child’s needs remain the same: Though historically Illinois courts required both an increase in the payor’s net income and a showing that the child’s needs have increased, currently court’s often award an increase in support even without a showing that the child’s needs have increased. In other words, child support might increase simply because the payor is earning more – even if the child needs have not increased.

If you are seeking a divorce in Chicago, Illinois, it is important that you have an attorney that respects your rights. As a client in a family law matter in Illinois, your rights are outlined in Section 508(f) of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which appears below. [continue reading…]

People interested in an uncontested divorce in Illinois are often interested in minimizing the cost of their divorce.  In general, I find that people are sometimes curious about the scope of a lawyer’s involvement in an uncontested divorce.

Below I address some common questions regarding lawyers’ involvement in uncontested divorces.

Do we both need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce?

One lawyer is more than enough to draft the materials needed, such as a marital settlement agreement, and joint parenting agreement. Further, most attorneys will supply the other party with the forms they should fill out In order to move the case forward.

Therefore, an uncontested divorce is affordable because it doesn’t involve needless disagreement and litigation, and because it can be accomplished with only one lawyer.

Can one lawyer represent both of us?

In theory, one lawyer could represent both people, so long as the joint-representation is disclosed. However, it is a very bad idea to do so – and most lawyers won’t do it, including myself. It might be a bad idea to search for a lawyer who will represent both parties in a divorce, because one who accepts such a job is probably suspiciously desperate for business.

What if my spouse is worried about being tricked into an agreement?

As outlined in my post “Phases of an Uncontested Divorce,” the crux of any uncontested divorce is a martial settlement agreement (MSA) and, if the parties have kids, a joint parenting agreement (JPA). Truth be told, both the MSA and JPA should be written in plain English, and both parties should be able to understand them.

However, even when a divorce is amicable and uncontested, it’s understandable that a spouse without a lawyer might feel exposed without the advice a lawyer. Anyone can at any time hire a lawyer, even in an uncontested case. So a person who starts off without a lawyer can hire one later, for ongoing counseling, or simply to review the proposed settlement agreement

What if I want my lawyer to explain the process to my spouse?

Normally a lawyer for one person does not speak to the spouse. In fact, if the adverse party is represented by counsel, doing so is not only unnecessary – it is against the rules of professional conduct lawyers must follow (with few exceptions).Further, many attorneys offering uncontested divorce services state in their agreements that they will not speak to their client’s spouse.

However, if a client wants me to speak to the spouse, I’m open to the possibility (some lawyers refuses to speak to spouses in an uncontested case). What’s necessary in that case is 1)  the non-client spouse signs a statement  acknowledging that I am not his or her attorney (to avoid misunderstandings), and 2) the client acknowledge that speaking in front of the spouse effectively waives the attorney-client privilege

What if things start to get heated?

A divorce that starts out as uncontested can become contested – parties might find out they don’t agree to the extent they previously believe. If that is the case, the same lawyer who you were dealing with for your previously uncontested case can continue to handle the case if it becomes contested.

How often do we have to meet?

Particularly in an uncontested divorce, meetings can be kept to a minimum. After all – most people have better things to do hang out with lawyers! In fact, it is possible to get an uncontested divorce and only meet your lawyer once in person – and that’s the day you actually get divorced – in court!

How do I get started?

You can contact me, Chicago divorce lawyer Dave Wolkowitz. I’ll try to give you a call back as soon as possible. I can answer your questions about the uncontested divorce process – and you will deal with me directly. In fact, to accommodate prospective client’s busy schedules, I’m more than happy to speak on evenings and weekends.  I’ve developed an efficient process to handle uncontested divorces, including the use of online file storage and e-signatures – to save everyone’s time.  My goal will be to handle your divorce with minimal disruption to your life – so you can move on.

You might also want to review my posts entitled “What is an Uncontested Divorce in Illinois?” and “”Phases of an Uncontested Divorce in Illinois“

If you have an Illinois child custody emergency, you may need to act quickly.

Consider the situation encountered by one of my colleagues. He received a very distressing telephone call from a mother in child custody dispute.  She was in an absolute panic. “They’re going to take away my two girls,”  she said.

She felt there was clear evidence that the father was abusing the children, but she couldn’t make her case in court.

She tried her best to explain her situation between bursts of tears. The father had hired an attorney and the mother did not.  She said there was a court hearing in only a half hour, and it was about whether the mother would be jailed for disobeying a court order by keeping her children from their father. According to the mother, she had good reason to keep the girls away from their father. But now, she was in hot water – even though she wanted to protect her children.

She needed a lawyer to help her make her case to the judge that she was justified in disobeying the court order. But by the time she realized she needed help, it was too late.

If you are in an Illinois child custody dispute, it may very well be in your best interest to consult a Chicago divorce lawyer. While you understandably don’t want to waste money on at attorney, as the case just described shows, you could be setting yourself up for a major problem.

If you have an Illinois child custody emergency, please contact me, Chicago, Evanston and Schaumburg family law attorney David Wolkowitz; I may be able to help.

Kim Kardashian’s marriage is a hot topic these days. She’s filed for divorce – no surprise there. But the domestic violence she committed against husband Kris Humphries is serious.

In the context of Illinois marriage, child custody, and divorce, domestic violence is usually viewed as something men commit against women. But it can go both ways, as Kim Kardashian demonstrated while the cameras rolled during the season premier of “Kourtney & Kim Take Manhattan.” Kim seemed to put her full force into hitting her monstrous husband during an argument.

Dr. Drew Pinskey said “What you are seeing there is domestic violence . . . A lot of people watching this may not understand this. And I get that. It looks playful. What’s the big deal? But it’s a massive deal … This is an incontrovertible piece of evidence of someone engaged in a domestic violence relationship.”

Luckily for all Earth’s creatures, the two brainiacs involved in the domestic spat have not produced a child.

But if they did, and they lived in Illinois, their divorce and child custody case might be complicated by Kim Kardashian’s domestic violence.

As I discussed in my post titled “Illinois Child Custody Factors,” the presence of domestic violence in a relationship is factor courts may use in determining child custody.  In the context of an Illinois child custody dispute, domestic violence is defined by Section 103 of the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 19 (750 ILCS 60/103) as “physical abuse, harassment, intimidation of a dependent, interference with personal liberty or willful deprivation but does not include reasonable direction of a minor child by a parent or person [acting in the place of a parent].”

Here are some things to keep in mind about domestic violence as it relates to child custody disputes:

• The perpetrator of domestic violence need not be male.
• The victim need not be heart for domestic violence to be present and used by a judge as a factor to determine child custody.
• Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence

As a Chicago divorce attorney practicing in family law, I often deal with critical child custody issues. The most critical can be the other parent’s use of an emergency motion to manipulate a child custody dispute. If an emergency motion has been filed against you, contact me  and I may be able to help you with your child custody emergency. [continue reading…]

When someone asked me “When is the best time to get divorced?,” I ask them “When do you want to start moving on with your life?”

There are many reasons people delay a divorce. Anxiety is chief among them. However, delay can often increase anxiety  – as a lack of information normally does.

The broadest categories of divorce are child custody and money. If you’d like to talk about either, contact me,  Illinois family law attorney David Wolkowitz; I may be able to help you get the information you need to reduce your anxiety.

Child custody in Illinois

If you have kids, hopefully you can get divorced amicably. As a divorce attorney in Chicago, Evanston, Schaumburg, and elsewhere, helping parents achieve a peaceful solution something I like to do.

If you have kids and your marriage is coming to an end, you are rightly concerned about your children’s well-being. A low-conflict divorce can be the best way to do that; for more about this, you might want to read my post titled “What is an uncontested divorce in Illinois?”

Money 

Getting divorced is a lot easier if you don’t have kids. No one wants to lose money, but time with your children definitely cannot be replaced.

Certainly, people are rightfully concerned about the division of marital assets. While some concerns about money are related to providing for basic necessities, in my experience those who fight the most about money are those who have the most.

People who cannot separate their egos from their divorce case are good at creating a miserable divorce process. For example, many people see divorce as a way to be compensated for being mistreated. Those people resemble junior high students more than they do those who truly want to move on with their lives.

I’m often surprised by the reaction I get from people after meeting with me to talk about their divorce. Not too long ago, after chatting with me someone actually said “You’re a nice guy for a lawyer.” The sense of shock in his voice was palpable.

From what I can tell, people often wonder if they should get a “nice” or “mean” lawyer. Some people think working with someone who us uber-aggressive will be advantageous in court. That’s not necessarily true. In fact, the opposite is often true – those whose strategy is simply to intimate and bully others are often only serving themselves. Are there times when a person should want a lawyer to get tough? Sure. But there is a time and place for everything.

Why get a “nice” divorce attorney?

• Super-aggressive behavior that is clearly meant to intimidate others stands a good chance of raising the ire of judges. That’s not good.
• Even if you are fighting with your ex, your lawyer and your ex’s lawyer don’t need to take things personally between the two of them. Nice lawyers work with other lawyers well, and that can benefit clients.
• Nice lawyers will probably end up treating their own clients with more respect. This is important, because if the attorney-client breaks down due to lack of respect, it can be difficult to continue with your case.
• Being combative when it is not necessary can cause your case to become much more expensive than necessary. You don’t want that!

How to get a nice Illinois family law attorney:

When trying to find a lawyer, you will probably talk to several. Take some time to consider the way the lawyer is dealing with you at that point. Ask the lawyer what his or her approach is. Find out how he or she deals with other attorneys.

If you are interested in finding an Illinois family law attorney, you might want to read my post entitled “Who’s the best divorce attorney in Chicago?”

Also, you can always contact me, Chicago divorce attorney David Wolkowitz; I might be able to help.

If the the other parent is violating a visitation order, you can take action to protect your rights to see your child. If you are having a problem with visitation interference, contact me, Chicago, Evanston and Schaumburg child custody lawyer David Wolkowitz. I may be able to help. Further, you might want to see my previous posts entitled “Court orders: Get them enforced!” and “The crime of visitation interference in Illinois.”

There are several things you should know about the violation of a visitation order:

Future violations:

If you have reason to believe the other parent is going to violate an order in the future, you can have your lawyer file a “motion to compel.” A motion to compel is essentially an order in which the court restates that the other parent should follow a previous court order. For instance, you have visitation with your child next weekend, and the other parent emails you “I’m going to take our child out of town next weekend and there is nothing you can do about it,” that would be sufficient justification for filing a motion to compel. In order words, since the other parent threatened not to follow an order, you may be able to get a court order which essentially repeats the a previous order must be followed. Why the redundancy? If the other parent violates the order even after a motion to compel, then court will probably take an extra-harsh view of the violation.

Contempt of court for violating a court order:

When judges issue court orders, they expect them to be followed. When parties don’t follow court orders, the judges get mad. And when judges get mad, the parent that has violated the order can be punished.

If any court order is violated, including a visitation order, a lawyer can attempt to have the violating party held in contempt of court. For instance, if a court order designates that on a certain holiday the child is to be with Mom, but Dad refuses to turn over the child, then the court could hold Dad in contempt.

The good news is that if someone is held in contempt of court, the court can require that person to pay the attorney’s fees the innocent parent incurred in trying to enforce the court order. In other words, the person who violated the court order can be made to pay the bill of the parent trying to enforce the order.

For a more detailed explanation of contempt of court, you may wish to read my post “Court orders: Get them enforced!.”

Visitation interference in Illinois:

Previously, I wrote a post titled “The crime of visitation interference in Illinois.” Some lawyers like to publicize the fact that interfering with visitation can be a crime in Illinois. But as I noted in my post, it is difficult to have a parent prosecuted for that crime.

Instead, a parent who has had his or her visitation interfered with can file a petition for a finding of unlawful visitation interference. At it’s most basic, visitation interference where one parent consistently and habitually deprives or obstructs the other parent’s parenting time.

What to do if an Illinois child visitation order is being violated:

The best thing to do if you are having problems with your visitation is to contact me, Illinois child visitation lawyer David Wolkowitz. I will take a look at the facts of your case, and advise you regarding my preception of the strength of your case and the likely outcome.

Since I understand that it can be difficult to schedule time with a lawyer, it is possible for us to meet near your location, and I offer evening and weekend consultations. To find out more about how I meet with clients, you might view my posts titled “Yes, I’m a Schaumburg Divorce Attorney” or “Yes, I’m an Evanston Divorce Attorney!”

The violation of visitation orders and interference with visitation is serious. If either one is happening to you, it benefits you to act quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get the results you want.

As a Chicago divorce attorney, I’m often asked the question “How long does a divorce take?” While it is impossible for any attorney to give an exact answer – particularly one who is simply writing this post – you might keep in mind the following points covered in the below “Divorce time FAQ.”

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Parents involved in an interstate child custody dispute face critical issues. One immediate concern is the judicial teleconference mandated by the Illinos Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, or UCCJEA. What happens there can completely alter the course of an Illinois child custody case.

The Illinois UCCJEA (750 ILCS 36/101 et seq.) is used by the courts to determine which of two states has jurisdiction to decide a child custody case. As such, if both parents want their child custody case heard in Illinois, the Illinois UCCJEA does not come into play. Please note, the UCCJEA is a “uniform law” that has been adopted by 49 states (all but Massachusetts), the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands; it has not been adopted by Puerto Rico. States and territories that have adopted the UCCJEA are supposed to apply it in a similar fashion.

This posting is a fairly technical analysis of the Illinois UCCJEA, and specifically focusses on Section 110 of the Illinois UCCJEA and its guidelines for interstate judicial communication. If you have an interstate child custody dispute, contact me, Illionois UCCJEA attorney David Wolkowitz – I may be able to help.

UCCJEA cases are somewhat unique from other family law cases. Normally, only one state is involved in a child custody determine. But in UCCJEA cases, courts of two different states are supposed to communicate and coordinate with each other. However, when a child custody case involves the Illinois UCCJEA, an Illinois judge must communicate with the judge of a foreign state in order to make certain substantive and logistical decisions.  Because many judges have little experience with complicated UCCJEA cases (because they are somewhat rare), it is wise for parents involves in UCCJEA and their Illinois family law attorneys to  be familiar with the UCCJEA rules regarding interstate judicial communication.

Below is an overview of some of the major aspects of the Illinois UCCJEA provision on judicial communication.

When does the UCCJEA guarantee the right to be heard?

The Illinois UCCJEA guarantees parties the right to “present facts and legal arguments before a decision on jurisdiction is made.”

The problem is that the courts will make at least one major decision prior to a “decision on jurisdiction” – and the decision could alter the entire course of the UCCJEA case. The decision: Which court will decide which state has jurisdiction over the child custody case?

For example, an Illinois court could hold a jurisdictional hearing and determine that Michigan has jurisdiction, or vice versa. In theory, the state that holds the jurisdictional hearing should do so in an unbiased manner and apply the UCCJEA accordingly. However, in practice, a foreign judge might make a jurisdictional ruling that is meant to favor the local parent. Illinois parents can substantially benefit from having their child custody cases heard in Illinois, instead of any other state.

Courts are only obligated to allow parties to prevent facts and argument before a “decision on jurisdiction” is made. But what about the decision – such as the one described above – proceeding the ultimate jurisdictional decision? Apparently, one interpretation of the the poorly-drafted UCCJEA is that court may determine which state should make the jurisdictional decision without hearing facts and argument from either party.

Participating in a UCCJEA teleconference

Courts “may allow the parties to participate in the communication.” In other words, it’s the judge’s choice whether or not a party participates in a UCCJEA judicial teleconference.  For instance, an Illinois judge might not let the Illinois parent participate, and the Michigan judge might allow the Michigan parent to participate. That doesn’t seem fair, does it? But the UCCJEA does not address this scenario.

Further, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that some Illinois attorneys are so unfamiliar with the UCCJEA that they are under the severely mistaken belief that UCCJEA judicial teleconference are only for judges and attorneys – and that parents may not participate. In such a situation, an Illinois attorney may advise an Illinois parent not to show up for a UCCJEA judicial teleconference – handing a significant advantage to the foreign parent who does participate.

If an Illinois parent does not participate in a judicial teleconference, but the foreign parent does, the foreign parent could possibly influence both judges and make statements that would not be appropriate if they were made during a formal hearing.

As an Illinois family law attorney dealing with the Illinois UCCJEA, I try to protect my client’s right to be heard during a UCCJEA teleconference, particularly when the other parent will participate.

UCCJEA teleconferences must be recorded

Each state of a UCCJEA dispute is critical. The UCCJEA requires that all interstate judicial communication be transcribed or recorded, with the exception of the discussion of logistical matters (such as scheduling).  The Illinois UCCJEA states “a record must be made of [interstate judicial] communication. The parties must be informed promptly of the communication and granted access to the record.”

One problem with the provision is that it does not specify who has the burden of recording the communication. Is it the Illinois judge’s responsibility? The foreign judge’s responsibility? Must one of the parents pay for a court reporter to transcribe the communication?

Because the UCCJEA is essentially identical in every state, the foreign court will not have any more guidance than an Illinois court.

If an interstate judicial communication that was not recorded results in a substantive (not logistical) court order, parents who disagree with the order may benefit from having that order vacated (retracted) on the grounds that it was a product of a non-UCCJEA-complaint interstate judicial communication.

Be aware: UCCJEA teleconference pitfalls

Below are some pitfalls a parent in an Illinois UCCJEA dispute might encounter.

1. Courts ignore the law: I spoke with several domestic relations judges about Illinois UCCJEA cases. And what I learned was shocking. According to one very respected Cook County domestic relations judge, approximately 50 percent of foreign judges refuse to conduct a UCCJEA teleconference as required by the UCCJEA – and in doing so, they refuse to apply the UCCJEA. This can be devastating for an Illinois parent whose child is wrongfully taken from Illinois and who seeks to use the UCCJEA to procure the child’s return.
2. Representation in both states: Understandably, parents involved in a UCCJEA disupte don’t want to spend more than necessary on attorneys’ fees. However, because with any UCCJEA disputer there will be some level of legal activity in at least two states, it may be wise for parents to obtain legal counsel in both Illinois, and the other state.
3. Improper testimony by the foreign parent: A parent may try to make statements which would be objectionable or improper if they were to be made during an official hearing.

Illinois UCCJEA attorneys

If you have an Illinois UCCJEA case, your future with your child hangs in the balance from the very outset of the case. You need legal advice, and you should contact an attorney licensed in Illinois. In fact, you might consider asking that attorney questions you develop based on reading this article; if the attorney gives uniformed, inaccurate or totally evasive answers, then you might consider finding someone else.

I am intimately familiar with the UCCJEA. If you have an interstate child custody dispute, contact me, Illionois UCCJEA attorney David Wolkowitz – I may be able to help.