Family Law Issues

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY

Buffalo Grove Law Offices concentrates its practice in the area of family law. Family law cases include concerns about divorce, separation, paternity, adoption, child custody, child support, college, division of property and debt, family violence and more.We handle family law cases, as well as cases related to the family law setting. These may include real estate closings, short sales, wills, Powers of Attorney for Health Care, Powers of Attorney for Property, and other matters that arise in the context of a family law case. The fact that we concentrate in the family law area gives us the ability to concentrate on issues that arise in the family law area, including case law, prior and new statutes that can affect your case.

Other Areas of Family Law That We Handle

  • Minor emancipation: We can assist in the emancipation of a minor matter, whether we represent the teenager or the parents. Sometimes, it is in the best interest of the minor child and the family that the minor child is emancipated. Sometimes, it is not.

  • Grandparents Rights: We also handle situations regarding grandparent’s rights and responsibilities. These situations are often custody, guardianship, and grandparent adoption.

  • Stepparent Rights: When a parent marries or remarries after the birth of a biological child, the stepparent wants to adopt the child. Stepparent adoptions help to create a stronger family unit. We assist in this type of situation.

  • Guardianships and conservatorships: When someone can no longer care for themselves, someone else needs to step in to be their guardian or conservator. We can assist in this type of situation.

  • Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements: People sometimes need to make critical decisions about the effect of the relationship on assets owned before the marriage, and other issues before they marry. Prenuptial agreements are drafted before a marriage, and postnuptial agreements are drafted during the marriage, when circumstances warrant. Both types of agreements may be contrary to the state of the law, as far as a later dissolution of the relationship is concerned. It is critical for you to know what you can and cannot agree to, and what needs to be included in such an agreement.

Name Change

In a divorce proceeding, you can simply include language that you are entitled to change your name, in order for you to be able to do so. If you do not include this in your divorce decree, you still need an order of the court in order for you to change your name. The court clerk can provide you with documents to begin the name change process, either for yourself or your children. Sometimes a person will not get a name change during the divorce, although they may want to, because they want to maintain the same name that the children have. The court, in a divorce, will allow you to change your own name, but the children will more than likely need to maintain the last name of the other parent. It may be different in different situations, but this is what you can expect.

You need to know that Illinois law requires you to notify the Secretary of State within 10 days if you change your name. You must get a new driver’s license or ID card, vehicle title, and registration documents that show the name change. You will need to bring your current driver’s license (or ID card), and certified documents that show your name change. These documents may include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other court order that shows your old name and your new name.

Contact An Arlington Heights Family Law Attorney

Call our Arlington Heights, Illinois office at (847) 772-8579or contact us online to discuss your questions, concerns and options in an affordable initial consultation.

WHAT IF YOU FIND OUT LATER HE HAS BEEN MARRIED THREE TIMES ALREADY!

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 23, 2021 | Comments Off on WHAT IF YOU FIND OUT LATER HE HAS BEEN MARRIED THREE TIMES ALREADY!

A court shall declare a marriage invalid (annulled). If the other party was induced to enter into the marriage. “By fraud involving the essentials of marriage.” Husband had been married three times. His wife never knew. When she found out, she wanted an annulment. The trial court granted her request for an annulment. Husband appealed.…

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GRANDMOTHER AND SURVIVING NATURAL PARENT BATTLE FOR CUSTODY OF CHILD

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 23, 2021 | Comments Off on GRANDMOTHER AND SURVIVING NATURAL PARENT BATTLE FOR CUSTODY OF CHILD

Mother died. Mother and her child had lived with maternal grandmother. The child was one year old. Mother died in a car accident. The law is clear: upon the death of the custodial parent, “the minor child will then be considered to be in the physical custody of the surviving natural parent,” even if the…

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WHAT IF THE MINOR CHILD IS AFRAID TO TESTIFY AGAINST A PARENT?

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 23, 2021 | Comments Off on WHAT IF THE MINOR CHILD IS AFRAID TO TESTIFY AGAINST A PARENT?

Stepfather Is accused of sexual abuse against his five-year-old stepdaughter. She is too afraid to go to court. She is afraid of confrontation. The trial court said there would be a plenary, two-year order of protection against the stepfather. Stepfather appealed. He said the child should have to testify in court. The appellate court affirmed.…

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PROVING WHO THE MINOR CHILD RESIDED WITH

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 23, 2021 | Comments Off on PROVING WHO THE MINOR CHILD RESIDED WITH

Grandmother and her husband (the Youngs) filed a petition for custody of grandmother’s grandchild (J.H.). In their petition, the Youngs alleged that they had cared for J.H.. Also, they had made decisions on behalf of J.H. since she was an infant. They alleged that this had been done in agreement with J.H.’s mother. The mother…

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CHILDREN’S STATEMENTS and HEARSAY

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 23, 2021 | Comments Off on CHILDREN’S STATEMENTS and HEARSAY

Did the father abuse the minor? Different people said that the child had told them about the abuse.  The trial court did not agree that there was any evidence of abuse. Mom appealed. Court denied the mother’s motion for an on-camera interview with the minor, a mother could have presented the minor’s testimony during the…

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PARENT RESPONSIBLE FOR SON’S LEGAL FEES

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 23, 2021 | Comments Off on PARENT RESPONSIBLE FOR SON’S LEGAL FEES

A lawyer represented Jason in his divorce matter. Jason and his parents had agreed to pay the bill. Jason and his father had signed the lawyer’s fee contracts. The parents paid the retainer and other bills to the lawyer. A final divorce decree was entered. The lawyer sent his final bill for his services. He…

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