The question, ‘Are you my mother?’ not always easily answered

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Child Custody on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The question is simple; the answer may be much more complicated. The advances of science and the convolution of some child custody legalities can cloud the answer(s) to this seemingly straightforward question. Potential parents in Chicago should be aware of the biological and legal issues that may affect their future children. For example, the scientific breakthroughs in reproductive technology allows a baby to have up to three “mothers.” One, the genetic mother, another, may be the birthContinue reading

Questions continue surrounding in vitro fertilization

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Family Law on Monday, December 24, 2012. Although no longer a new technique, in vitro fertilization continues to generate court challenges in family law cases. Parents in Chicago and around the U.S. should follow some court decisions closely if they’ve chosen to conceive children through in vitro fertilization. A recent landmark case is a graphic example of the continuing confusion. A father who fell ill in 2001 had his sperm frozen after receiving a dire prognosis. He wanted to give his wifeContinue reading

Kids’ insurance issues must be addressed

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Family Law on Friday, December 21, 2012. When working on a divorce settlement agreement in Chicago or anywhere else, an equitable division of assets and liabilities is a primary goal of family court. The issue of how to split insurance coverage is often left to flounder until it takes center stage in the family law matter. The always important topic of health insurance seldom causes conflict and disagreement. Typically, the parent who has been responsible for health coverage will continue to do so. MostContinue reading

New method of testing paternity eliminates wait

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Unmarried Couples on Friday, December 14, 2012. While child custody and child support matters often arise in the context of divorce, marriage is not a necessity for the birth of a child. When a couple is not married and has a child, as is the case where a marriage is involved, there is an assumption that the parents are each of the individuals involved. This of course is not always the case. A paternity test can be administered to either confirm orContinue reading

Disability could have bearing on child custody

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Child Custody on Friday, December 7, 2012. While the U.S. has been enlarging and protecting the rights of the millions of citizens with disabilities, particularly since 1990, when Congressional legislation formalized many regulations to level the playing field, there remain biases and barriers facing disabled parents. The examples of this unfairness abound. Finding examples of these inequities is not difficult. A blind couple loses child custody of their newborn to the state. A Chicago quadriplegic mom had to fight an 18-month courtroom battle toContinue reading