Illinois divorce cases may benefit from testimony of experts

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. Divorce proceedings can be complicated and divisive, particularly when it comes to custodial and financial issues. While some separating couples are able to agree on most matters, not every divorce proceeds this smoothly. Experts are therefore often used to help resolve certain conflicts. These professionals can be court-ordered or privately retained, and their opinions are often afforded considerable weight by a judge. Child custody and visitation is often a contentious issue, and a psychological expert can be calledContinue reading

Advance planning can negate some mistakes in divorce proceedings

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. Illinois residents thinking about a divorce should consider asking themselves a few questions ending their marriage. Advance planning can cut down on the mistakes people getting divorced make. For openers, a person should meet with a financial planner to understand their financial picture before property division is started. For example, one spouse may desperately want the house, but if they don’t have the resources to support it following the divorce, there is no reason to fightContinue reading

Tips for unwed dads in Illinois

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Friday, October 18, 2013. As difficult as custody and child support issues can be for a couple when they are getting a divorce, the subject can become even more complex if the parents were never married. This can be especially so for unwed fathers. There are many incorrect assumptions that such fathers often make that can keep them from fully taking advantage of their rights and being aware of their parental obligations. One major misapprehension is that the signing ofContinue reading

Illinois same-sex couples may have to file separately

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Family Law on Wednesday, October 16, 2013. Illinois residents may have heard that while the IRS has stated that it will allow same-sex couples to file joint federal tax returns, in early October, some states moved to disrupt such trends at lower levels. In places like Kansas and North Dakota, officials have written letters and made declarations that same-sex couples will have to file single rather than joint state tax returns. Reports did not say how these new rule-making attempts might playContinue reading

To do list for an Illinois divorce

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Monday, October 14, 2013. Divorce can take huge emotional toll on an individual, but it does not have to be a financial burden. Individuals who are in a marriage that isn’t working out might want to take a few simple steps to protect themselves financially. First, individuals going through a divorce need to educate themselves on family finances. If the one spouse has taken the lead on the household finances, it’s important for the other spouse to understand the breakdownContinue reading

Marital infidelity and divorce

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. Illinois residents going through a divorce know that there is often bitterness between the parties when a marriage is breaking up. This can be especially true if the decision to file for the divorce is the result of the infidelity of one of the spouses. Whether this behavior will be taken into account during divorce proceedings depends upon the laws of the state in which the divorce is filed. States with no-fault divorce laws generally do not considerContinue reading

Reverse mortgages and divorce

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Divorce on Friday, October 4, 2013. A relatively new financial planning tool known as a reverse mortgage has recently increased in popularity in Illinois and elsewhere. This type of loan may benefit an older homeowner that is going through a divorce. A reverse mortgage allows individuals who are 62 or older to use the equity in a home to get a loan and receive the proceeds in monthly installments, in a lump sum or through an available line of credit. Principal and interestContinue reading

How divorce affects financial aid

On behalf of The Walters Law Group, Ltd. posted in Child Custody on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. Illinois residents might be confused about how divorce affects financial aid. Some parents might not know which parent should file the Free Application for Financial Aid, which is required for their children to get federal financial aid. The rules for seeking financial aid are different for children of divorced parents than it is for those of married parents. First of all, who the child lives with matters. The parent who fills out the FAFSA shouldContinue reading