Illinois is only one of a handful of states where courts may require parents to contribution to their child’s college education. This “non-minor support” is codified in Section 513 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and applies to those parents who are undergoing a divorce, have already been divorced or were never married. Pursuant to this statute, the court may order certain educational expenses to be paid either to the child, the other party or directly to the institution itself.

 

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People love their pets. That’s indisputable. We often hear pet owners refer to themselves as a “dog mom” or a “cat dad” – which makes sense. Pets have become more like cherished members of the family more than anything else. According to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey, sixty-seven percent (67%) of households in the U.S. or roughly 85 million families own a pet. Moreover, this number could be much higher today since the Covid pandemic began and people were forced to stay inside and work from home. Since Covid, pet ownership has continued to soar.

 

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The political ascendancy of Vice President Kamala Harris has released hope in women across professions in which women and women of color are often underrepresented. While all Americans and women in particular are still assessing the meaning of a woman in the White House, Feinberg Sharma, P.C. celebrates the promotion and recognition of women in all professions, especially in the legal field.

 

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We value mentoring each associate and partner so that they grow as individuals, as members of our firm, and as respected family law practitioners globally.

 

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Throughout law school and before, I always knew I wanted to work and practice in family law. So, when I officially became an Illinois licensed attorney in November 2019, I started my career working as a family law associate attorney at Feinberg Sharma, P.C. At that time, I was focused mainly on trying to immerse myself into the hectic and intimidating atmosphere that was the Domestic Relations division. Somehow, everybody knew everybody here. How could I break in and make my mark?

 

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The number of frozen embryos in the United States continues to rise exponentially as people are turning to assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in order to conceive. Current laws fail to protect parties making agreements relating to their frozen embryos. Courts typically use the contractual approach to determine parties’ so-called agreements regarding the disposition of their frozen embryos. However, looking at these agreements as if they were simple contracts fails to protect parties in the divorce context. If courts continue to use the contractual approach, then they have a responsibility to examine the parties’ so-called agreements more closely.

 

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For years, federal courts across the country have differed in defining the term “habitual residence” for purposes of Hague Convention child abduction cases – the first element which the left behind parent must prove when seeking to have the child returned to their home country.

 

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Beware: If you are married to someone who pays child support, your income now can be combined with your spouse’s income for purposes of calculating your spouse’s child support obligation. Illinois has ventured into new territory with In re Marriage of Rushing.

 

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Starting January 1, 2019, more than 250 new laws became effective in Illinois, including significant changes to Illinois’ divorce laws. This article summarizes the major changes to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act taking effect this year.

 

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Keith and Debra Alen had lived together for 13 years prior to getting marriage. They had been married for less than 7 months when they filed for divorce.

 

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In the highly emotional time of a divorce, it can become tempting for people to cross lines that should not be crossed. Hacking into your spouse’s email account or computer to try and find some damning evidence against them is that step too far.

 

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As an Illinois couple considers a divorce, financial issues and child rearing can be some of the most contentious matters under the scrutiny of both parties, their lawyers, and the court system.

 

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A divorced couple in Illinois has failed to reach a final divorce settlement after seven years of litigation. In April, Cancer Treatment Centers of America founder Richard Stephenson and his former wife Alicia Stephenson formally dissolved their 18-year marriage.

 

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An Illinois parent who is going through a divorce might worry about the future, especially with regard to finances.

 

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Most married people in Illinois don’t want to think about the possibility of divorce. Since a large percentage of marriages will eventually end, however, it may be wise for spouses to develop good financial skills.

 

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