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

Effective parenting strategies after a divorce On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Thursday, March 12, 2020. One of the biggest challenges in an Illinois family law case is dealing with child custody and visitation rights. For many couples, the lingering problems that led to the divorce can continue as they try to co-parent. Still, there are strategies to make the process easier. The best interests of the child are paramount. Taking certain steps can facilitate meeting the child’s needs. It is easy to say that the child should come first, but to put that

How Illinois millennials are using prenuptial agreements On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, February 28, 2020. Prenuptial agreements are becoming more common among millennials. However, some analysts say the phenomenon indicates that this age cohort takes marriage seriously. The divorce rate has also declined among millennials. Furthermore, while many people may think of prenups as being for wealthy people, for millennials they may be more about addressing the debt they are bringing into the marriage as well as what they will do about property. With a prenup, couples can be transparent about their debt.

Women file for divorce at a higher rate than men On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, February 14, 2020. Perhaps in part due to how the situation has been portrayed in books and on the screen, it has long been thought that many women in Illinois and around the country are far more keen on getting married than men. However, research has shown that once they have tied the knot, women are also the ones who are more likely to file for divorce. Several studies, including one that was conducted by the American Sociological

Divorce on the decline among millennials On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Thursday, January 30, 2020. Illinois millennials may be less likely to divorce than baby boomers. Among millennials, the divorce rate has dropped significantly, but as the oldest ones approach 40, it is unclear whether the trend will continue. The University of Maryland sociology professor who reported the lower divorce rates in his book “The Coming Divorce Decline” believes it will. He found that between 2008 and 2016, divorce rates went down 18%. For millennials who do get a divorce, the process seems to

“Anchorman” actor David Koechner files for divorce On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, January 17, 2020. Illinois movie fans might be interested to learn that “Anchorman” actor David Koechner is ending his nearly 22-year marriage to self-help podcaster Leigh Koechner. The couple, who have five children together, were married in 1998 after meeting on a plane. According to media reports, the 57-year-old actor filed a petition to dissolve a marriage involving minor children on Jan. 14 in California. The documents failed to disclose a reason for the divorce. The couple appeared happy in a

Does Illinois favor the mother or father in custody decisions? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Friday, January 3, 2020. While there is no cut-and-dry answer to this question, one report in 2018 showed that our state’s fathers are typically awarded 32 percent less parenting time than mothers. Research, across the board, shows that states lack sufficient laws to support, or to entice court decisions for equal shared parenting time. There is no doubt that, when both parties are fit to be parents, a child will benefit from spending time and building bonds with

What to know about pursuing alimony during a divorce On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Securing alimony, also called spousal maintenance or support, can be an important part of getting through a divorce with one’s financial security intact. In order to understand how to pursue alimony, an Illinois resident should be aware of the many factors that courts may look at in order to decide if spousal support is appropriate. This post will discuss some of those factors but may not be comprehensive. Readers are always encouraged to talk to their

What is a child support modification? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Child support is the payment of money from one co-parent to the other for the benefit of their shared child or children. It may be used to cover a range of costs that are related to raising a child in Illinois, such as buying the child food or clothing, paying rent so that the child has a home, and covering the costs of their education. Child support is generally mandated during divorce proceedings or may be agreed to

Understanding child custody during the holiday season On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Child Custody on Thursday, November 21, 2019. As winter approaches, families throughout Illinois may be planning their holiday celebrations and the travel they will undertake to visit with family members and friends. While the holidays can be a wonderful time of year for parents and children alike, it can also be a very difficult time for families that are split due to divorce. Parents can find themselves struggling to work with their co-parents when they cannot agree about how and where they will each

What is a premarital agreement? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, November 8, 2019. Marriage is both an emotional and legal undertaking. While an Illinois resident may initially find themselves drawn to another person on an emotional level, they must formalize their relationship through the legal process of marriage in order to be recognized by the state and thereby qualify for marriage-related benefits. Choosing to marry is thus a big decision. Those who decide to pursue marriage can and should speak with their prospective partners about whether they will enter into a premarital agreement.

What penalties can be assessed for failing to pay child support? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Thursday, October 10, 2019. Child support in Illinois is a significant financial responsibility. Based on an agreement between a child’s parents or an order from their family law court, a person may be required to provide their child with money until that child becomes an adult or is otherwise self-sufficient. A child who does not have the financial support that they need may struggle to attain their most basic needs, and because children should not be made