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

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

Military family law: military field sees highest divorce rate On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in military family law on Wednesday, September 13, 2017. For most married couples in Illinois and elsewhere, disagreements happen. While this can just be the common ups and downs of marriage, for some spouses, these disputes are monumental. When marital fights run high, this could signify to the spouses that it is best to end their union and part ways. And in some cases, it is the career or lifestyle of one spouse that could significantly impact the longevity of the relationship. Unfortunately,

How can you protect your children during the divorce process? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Thursday, August 31, 2017. Parents in Illinois will go to the ends of the world in order to protect their children. While it is impossible to protect young ones from all the risks, downfalls and upsetting situations in life, parents have the ability to reduce the negative impact certain life events can have on their children. This is especially true for those parents ending a marriage. It is clear that this process will alter the life of their children;

Understanding fathers’ rights and how to protect them On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Thursday, August 24, 2017. Many say that a woman becomes a mother as soon as she becomes pregnant, while a man becomes a father after a baby is born. No matter how you view this situation, the reality is that every child has a mother and a father. The unfortunate reality is that some fathers are not provided the parental rights they are afforded after the birth of their child. One should not assume that just because a mother births