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

Having kids before marriage no longer considered a divorce risk On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, September 18, 2015. We often write about the ways in which family demographics and dynamics are changing. Because of these changes, “conventional wisdom” about marriage and divorce is also evolving. As an example, it was once believed that couples who lived together before getting married were more likely to divorce than couples who did not cohabit (until tying the knot). Studies in recent years have debunked this correlation, noting that the age at which cohabitation and marriage began

Understanding the differences between divorce and annulment On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Friday, September 11, 2015. Divorce is a common procedure and usually well understood by the general public. A close relative of divorce is annulment, which many have heard of but few understand. It is far less common than divorce, and most people aren’t clear on how it differs. Before we continue, however, we need to clarify use of the term. In most states, marriages can be annulled under certain circumstances. Here in Illinois, couples can seek what’s called a “judgment of

Apologizing to kids for divorce: What to say and what not to say On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Wednesday, September 2, 2015. Apologies are complex and nuanced things. People apologize in many ways, for many different reasons – not all of them honorable. We may apologize because we are truly sorry. We might apologize to make another person feel comfortable. We may apologize to be polite. We may apologize simply to end an argument . . . the list goes on. If made correctly and sincerely, an apology can mend deep emotional wounds. If

Divorce mistakes to avoid: Insulting your ex in front of the kids On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Monday, August 31, 2015. In today’s post, we’ll be continuing an occasional-installment series about the most common divorce mistakes people make. Our last post in the series focused on taking legal advice from anyone and everyone except your attorney – the person you hired specifically for legal advice. In today’s post, we’ll discuss an issue that you will likely be confronted with if you have children. Many divorced couples these days share child custody, which means they

How a father can establish paternity in Illinois On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Friday, August 21, 2015. When it comes to child custody matters in te state of Illinois, just what a party is facing will depend on the specific circumstances the person is in. While divorcing couples may need to establish who the children will be with, when, things can be even more complex for those who never married. This is particularly true where fathers are concerned as in these situations, it is first necessary to establish that one is in fact

Smart moves to protect your finances in divorce: Part II On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Thursday, August 20, 2015. Earlier this week, we began a discussion about how divorce can negatively impact your finances right now and for years to come. If you’re worried about how much the divorce is going to cost, hiring a team of professionals (in addition to your attorney) may seem counterintuitive. But when it comes to important money decisions – especially at a time when you may not be thinking rationally – investing in professional help can save you

Smart moves to protect your finances in divorce: Part I On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Tuesday, August 18, 2015. Getting divorced is a difficult experience emotionally; but too many people are unprepared for the financial consequences that divorce can bring. In some cases, failing to appropriately address the former leads to greater problems with the latter. That being said, there are things you can do to protect yourself financially during and after divorce. We’ll discuss some of these steps in our next two posts. First, there are several low-cost or no-cost steps you can

Divorce mistakes to avoid: Whose legal advice are you taking? On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in family law on Tuesday, August 4, 2015. The world is full of armchair psychologists, armchair sports coaches and armchair driving instructors. There are plenty of people who will want to give you unsolicited advice based on their own experiences or their own opinions. While such advice is typically free, you often get what you pay for. The same is true of family law advice. Chances are that you know someone who has been through a divorce, a child custody dispute or

How to be supportive when your loved ones divorce On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Thursday, July 2, 2015. If someone you care about has decided to seek a divorce, you may be understandably confused as to how to support him or her. After all, everyone handles sensitive matters in different ways. Therefore, the ways in which you may have supported someone who opted to navigate the divorce process in the past may not be effective when it comes to your loved one who is seeking a divorce now. Thankfully, there are a few tips

How to get your ‘groove back’ post-divorce On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce on Friday, June 26, 2015. It is perhaps an obvious statement to note that divorce can temporarily take the spring out of anyone’s step. Even if a divorce is amicable and even if a divorce has been longed-for, there are elements of the divorce process that can be unquestionably draining. From legal practicalities to grief, divorce can be stressful and truly sad. Thankfully, there are ways to regain one’s sense of optimism and joy during the divorce process and/or after one’s divorce has

Celebrating single fatherhood this Father’s Day On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Fathers’ Rights on Friday, June 19, 2015. This weekend, families all over the nation will celebrate Father’s Day. The modern American family comes in all shapes and sizes. One particular kind of family will have a very specific reason to celebrate this weekend. When families are headed up by single fathers, this day takes on a unique meaning. For not only is fatherhood a reason for celebration, single fatherhood is a reality that allows many families to thrive despite unique obstacles. The reasons why single