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.

FATHER’S CONSENT TO ADOPTION REQUIRED

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 20, 2021 | Comments Off on FATHER’S CONSENT TO ADOPTION REQUIRED

Mother and stepfather petitioned for termination of the biological father’s parental rights. They wanted to adopt the child together. The Circuit Court terminated the biological father’s parental rights. This was based on the biological father’s failure to register with the putative father registry. The biological father appealed. The Appellate Court saw that the biological father’s…

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SHE DID NOT SURRENDER HER PARENTAL RIGHTS, BUT SHE WAITED TOO LONG

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 20, 2021 | Comments Off on SHE DID NOT SURRENDER HER PARENTAL RIGHTS, BUT SHE WAITED TOO LONG

The rule is clear.  A consent to adoption form is not equal to a surrender of parental rights.    To have any meaning, section 10(A) of the Adoption Act must be read to provide for irrevocable consent to a specific adoption only. Samuel E. was adopted by Ann.   This was done with the international adoption process.…

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NO MARRIAGE, SO RETURN THE WEDDING RING?

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 20, 2021 | Comments Off on NO MARRIAGE, SO RETURN THE WEDDING RING?

The man filed a replevin action against his former fiance for return of a diamond engagement ring. Attached to the complaint was a form entitled “Insurance Replacement Appraisal,” from a jeweler. The estimated value of the rig was $100,000. A picture of the ring was included. The man argued that an engagement ring is a…

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WHO SHOULD RUN THE BUSINESS?

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 20, 2021 | Comments Off on WHO SHOULD RUN THE BUSINESS?

Husband filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against wife. He had filed divorce proceedings. He wanted the court to stop her from participating in the operation of their family-owned tavern. The trial court granted his request. The wife appealed. The Appellate Court agreed with the trial court. Their wife had been employed as a…

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BE SURE TO PROTECT YOURSELF IF YOU ARE LIVING TOGETHER AND NOT IN A CIVIL UNION OR MARRIAGE

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 20, 2021 | Comments Off on BE SURE TO PROTECT YOURSELF IF YOU ARE LIVING TOGETHER AND NOT IN A CIVIL UNION OR MARRIAGE

In the case of In re Marriage of Allen, 2016 IL App (1st) 151620, Husband and Wife had been married for less than 7 months when they each filed cross petitions for Divorce against each other.  Wife later wanted to add to her Petition the additional information that they had cohabited 13 years prior to the…

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MAKE UP VISITATION INCLUDES VISITATION THAT WAS MISSED

By Buffalo Grove Law Offices | July 20, 2021 | Comments Off on MAKE UP VISITATION INCLUDES VISITATION THAT WAS MISSED

The father wanted the mother responsible for visitation abuse and indirect civil contempt.  He said that mother had caused several alleged missed visitation periods by him.  These periods included regular weekend time, Father’s Day, winter break, and summer vacation time. Mother felt that her behavior was appropriate. Father told the court about his summer parenting…

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