Multi-State Divorce & Family Law Blog by Stange Law Firm, PC

Establish paternity to avoid losing parental rights On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Thursday, November 22, 2018. Previous posts on this Springfield family law blog have discussed what paternity is and how it may be established. Paternity is the existence of a biological connection between a man and a child that demonstrates that the man is the child’s father. When a man is married to a woman who gives birth or acknowledges that he is a father when a child is born he may also be legally recognized as the child’s dad. If a

Are ex-spouses entitled to military benefits? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in military family law on Thursday, November 8, 2018. Being the spouse of an active member of the military can be a difficult road to walk. While many Illinois families that take on this responsibility are able to work through their stresses and maintain healthy home lives, others crumble under the pressures that are imposed by service. When a service member and their spouse go through a divorce, the non-military party may have questions regarding if they will be able to receive benefits from their ex’s

What is a “no-fault” divorce? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Thursday, October 11, 2018. “No fault” divorce may seem like an odd phrase to give to a legal process that is literally built upon terminating a relationship where the parties no longer want to be affiliated with each other. It would seem that in such circumstances two Illinois residents would feel as though the other is at fault for causing them to want to divorce and to divide up the life they had built together as a married couple. However, a “no fault” divorce

Addressing child custody issues as an unmarried parent On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Thursday, September 27, 2018. A divorce is not the only event that may require Illinois parents to address the future of their children. Parents who have chosen to bring children into the world outside of formalized marriages may confront their own unique issues in the event that they elect to end their relationships. Although some similarities will exist between child custody matters for married and unmarried parents, several important differences make it imperative that unmarried parents understand their rights. First,

What is a paternity test? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Friday, September 14, 2018. The birth of a child can be a wonderful time in the life of the new baby’s parents. While most Illinois residents embrace the opportunity to raise children and grow their families, others may face serious and even traumatic legal issues if they are uncertain of their roles in the children’s lives. Particularly, men who are not certain if they are the biological fathers of children born to their spouses and partners may question what role, if any, they

Ending a child support obligation in Illinois On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Thursday, August 30, 2018. Child support is an important obligation between parents and their children. It is often ordered by courts or agreed to by parents when those parents end their marriages or their relationships. Child support is intended to be used to provide children with what they need, such as clothing, housing, transportation, food and other necessities. However, certain events can happen that can bring child support obligations to their ends. Many Illinois child support orders terminate when the children

Get legal support during a military divorce On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in military family law on Thursday, August 16, 2018. Few choose to enter the military and work for the safety and security of their nation through one of the branches of armed service. Those who do, however, give up a great deal in order to protect others. Illinois men and women who have sacrificed in their personal and professional lives to serve the United States deserve the help and support of those who respect their choices when it comes to settling matters related to divorce.

What should be included in a parenting plan? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Friday, August 3, 2018. A parenting plan is the schedule and set of expectations that Illinois parents agree to follow when they must share custody of their children. They are often created in conjunction with divorces and may be created based on the negotiations of the children’s parents. There are some key terms that should be included in each parenting plan to make sure that it is sufficient to support the best interests of the child or children that it

The role of spousal support in an Illinois divorce On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, July 20, 2018. Although it is not uncommon for both of the partners in a marriage to be employed and earn significant incomes during their lives, some couples still practice the more traditional path of having one partner manage household responsibilities while the other works outside of the home for pay. In the past, women were more likely to be stay-at-home parents and household managers than their spouses, over time more men have embraced this role as well. When

Helping clients evaluate their ongoing child custody needs On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Thursday, July 5, 2018. When parents in Illinois work to establish a child custody plan that will dictate where their children will spend their time, they are tasked with ensuring that the product they come up with serves their kids’ best interests. This can be a daunting undertaking for many reasons. If the parents share multiple kids they may find that their children’s needs are different from those of their siblings, and they may also find that their kids’ needs

Brad Pitt gets more time with his children On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Thursday, June 21, 2018. After a divorce it can be difficult for a family to find balance, especially when children were involved in the process of undoing a marital relationship. Many Illinois parents struggle to discover ways of ensuring that parent-child bonds remain strong. For one former celebrity couple, court intervention was necessary to ensure that the father’s options for seeing and communicating with his kids were not infringed upon by their mother. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were married