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

How a guardian ad litem can benefit fathers On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Thursday, November 30, 2017. Like several states, Illinois courts may use a guardian ad litem in a child custody case. The reason for appointing a guardian ad litem is so the court can have a better idea of what custody arrangement is in the best interest of the child. Generally speaking, a guardian ad litem, or GAL, is an attorney, but does not have to be. In custody cases, the GAL’s role is to investigate the child’s living circumstances and

The importance of fighting for joint legal custody On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Thursday, November 23, 2017. Many Springfield, Illinois, residents get very focused on how much time they get to spend with their children and for good reason. After all, it is very hard for a dad to bond with his children and develop his relationship with them if he’s only allowed to see them on a very limited basis. However, dads should also be concerned about advocating for one of the most important fathers’ rights, which is the right to ask

We can help in a child support dispute over income On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, November 17, 2017. A previous post discussed how, even with the recent changes in the way Illinois determines child support, the income of each parent still makes a lot of difference when it comes to determining the dollar amount of a parent’s weekly child support payment. While a Springfield, Illinois, resident might think that figuring out each parent’s income is relatively straightforward, such is not always the case. Sometimes, a person makes irregular income that can be

What constitutes income for child support purposes? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Monday, November 13, 2017. Although child support in Illinois is determined by a set formula, even under the recently revised guidelines, how much a parent should pay can still be a controversial family law question. After all, Springfield couples can argue quite a bit about what raw numbers should go in to the Illinois’ child support formula, especially when it comes to deciding how much income each parent makes. In Illinois, a parent’s income includes every dollar that the parent makes,

Is it true that moms are the preferred custodial parent? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Friday, November 10, 2017. It is hard to deny that, historically, if a Springfield, Illinois dad was not living in the same home as his children for any reason, he was unlikely to get primary custody of the children absent something extraordinary like a credible allegation of domestic violence, drug abuse or something of the like. However, particularly with the advent of the fathers’ rights movement and a deeper appreciation of the important role fathers play in the

Understanding how paternity tests are conducted On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Monday, November 6, 2017. As previously discussed, some Illinois parents have to deal with paternity issues. This family law problem could arise for various reasons, but the underlying question that is being asked when paternity is at issue is whether a man is or is not the biological father of a child. Proving or disproving paternity could help a man obtain a relationship with their child, help a man terminate child support obligations or help a mother secure child support. In order

How can you establish paternity in Illinois? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Friday, October 20, 2017. No two families are alike; however, many families encounter similar family law issues. For some Illinois fathers, this means taking steps to either prove or disprove paternity. Typically, when the other of a child is not married, certain steps must be taken to validate paternity of the child. When a mother claims that a man is a father, this must be proven by a DNA test if the man does not voluntarily sign a statement that he

What rights do grandparents have in a child custody dispute? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Child custody disputes typically pit one parent against another, often in the midst of a difficult divorce. It can be hard for two parents to agree on important childcare decisions at such a time, but each party has rights and responsibilities that go with parenting. But what about grandparents? What rights do they have when it comes to their grandchildren? Illinois lawmakers and courts have struggled for years to address the question of grandparents’

How can you modify a current child support order? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, October 6, 2017. Raising a child comes with its challenges. While there are typical ups and downs with any child, parents in Illinois going through a divorce begin to understand the real costs associated with raising their child. Because child support is a family law issue often faced by divorcing parents, parents soon become fully aware of their financial capabilities and how much financial support their child actually needs each month. How can you modify a current child

Guiding you through the military divorce process On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in military family law on Thursday, October 5, 2017. Some careers are very demanding and stressful. This can be strenuous for an individual and their family. Being a service member in the military is one of the most challenging careers and could be the source of a failing marriage. The stress of deployment and training could be taxing on a marriage, resulting in some spouses seeking to end their marriage. While ending a marriage is not a pleasant time for any married couple, for military

Fathers’ rights are important On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Friday, September 29, 2017. When it comes to family, your children are perhaps the most important. You teach them everything from walking and talking to riding a bike. For many, it is extremely rewarding and fulfilling to raise a child. Not everyone gets a chance to raise his or her own child, however. You need custody to do so. Before that process can begin for fathers, they need to establish paternity. This can be cumbersome if you are not married to the mother of