Latest Blog Posts

It’s important to hire a divorce lawyer when separating from your spouse, but you shouldn’t hire just anybody. Having the right divorce lawyer and omeone you can depend on is important. We’ll tell you why a Morton divorce lawyer from our firm could be the right match for you. Do…
Read More

Dealing with a divorce can be overwhelming, but it’s important to keep a clear head and think about the future. Some people get stressed or let their emotions take over, and that can lead to financial mistakes that they will end up paying for later. A Tazewell County marital property…
Read More

A divorce can come with enough complications. One spouse filing for bankruptcy once divorce papers have already been filed is something that’s guaranteed to complicate matters even more. A Morton divorce lawyer can let you know what to expect when this happens and why you may want to convince your…
Read More

You don’t just split up assets during a divorce. You also have to figure out what happens to any joint debts. Your creditors don’t care that you and your spouse are no longer together. They want the money they are owed. A Tazewell County marital property division lawyer from our…
Read More

Someone can be accused of abandoning their family, but when it comes to Illinois state law and divorce proceedings the term abandonment has a specific definition. If you want to get a divorce because your spouse has abandoned your family, it’s important to know how that abandonment can affect the…
Read More

Even if you and your spouse can be civil with each other, going through a divorce is rarely a fun experience. It’s no surprise that many of our clients ask how they can get a fast divorce. What will speed up the process and which pitfalls can slow it down?…
Read More

A divorce can be stressful, so it’s no surprise that some people just want to get through it as quickly as possible. It’s not usually a good idea to rush through a divorce though. You should take your time and make sure that you have all of the information needed…
Read More

A postnuptial agreement can be a touchy subject. There are many benefits to such a contract though, and if you approach the conversation in the right way your spouse should be able to see those benefits as well. Then a Tazewell County family law attorney can help you draw up…
Read More

Not every divorce has to go to trial. Sometimes couples cannot come to an agreement on certain important matters though, and that’s when a judge’s input is going to be deemed necessary. This situation can be stressful, but an experienced Tazewell County contested divorce lawyer can help you prepare and…
Read More

When someone files for divorce, they are often separated from their spouse. Most petitioners know where their spouse is though. Not knowing your spouse’s location can make filing for divorce a bit more complicated. This is why it’s a good idea to talk to a Morton divorce lawyer to learn…
Read More

A parent could have many good reasons for moving. They still have to clear relocation plans with the court if they are divorced and have a parenting plan with their former spouse. It’s obviously unfair to move far away so that noncustodial parents can never see their children. Whether you…
Read More

You could go to court to come to a divorce agreement, but litigation can get quite expensive and contentious. Some couples prefer to try alternatives, like divorce mediation. If you think that you’ll want to try this method before trying to solve all of your issues through litigation, a Morton…
Read More

No one ever wants to plan to divorce. However, using a prenuptial agreement is a good way to protect your assets and determine what would happen in the event that you and your spouse do split up. You need to make sure that such an agreement is airtight before its…
Read More

When you are going through a divorce, not all disagreements need to be resolved through litigation. Some couples choose to hash out certain issues using alternative methods, like arbitration. Divorce arbitration is a bit like going to court, but it offers some key differences like more confidentiality. A Morton divorce…
Read More

If you are trying to get a divorce from an abusive partner, that can affect the divorce proceedings in a few different ways. An accusation or charge of domestic violence can change certain parts of the negotiations and potentially make it more difficult to opt for alternative means of dispute…
Read More

When a couple divorces, they usually end up splitting custody of their children. If you’re interested in pushing for sole custody, you should know that it’s an uphill battle. The courts generally lean towards making an arrangement where both parents have some form of custody. A Tazewell County child custody…
Read More

When you get divorced, you know that you’ll have to split up all of your property. This can be one of the most contentious parts of the process actually. One item that might cause some confusion is the engagement ring. Who gets to keep it? There’s an answer that’s generally…
Read More

If you are paying your former spouse alimony and you lose your job, that can be a stressful situation. You’re not the only one who has been in this situation though. That means that there are ways to address these kinds of issues when they come up, but you have…
Read More

The division of assets can be one of the toughest parts of any divorce, but things can get especially complex and stressful when you have a business that you do not want divided up. There are some ways to protect a business during a high net worth divorce though. You…
Read More

We are pleased to share that Susan Butler, Founding Partner of Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C., has been named the Best Divorce Attorney in the Peoria Community Choice Awards. This awards program recognizes more than 450 businesses and organizations, and people working in these businesses and organizations, throughout the Peoria…
Read More

We announce with great pleasure that Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. was recently voted as one of the finalists for the Best Law Firm category in the Peoria Community Choice Awards. Each year, the Peoria Community’s Choice Awards recognizes more than 450 businesses and organizations in the area. The awards…
Read More

It can be tough to split your parenting time with your former spouse. Once you determine visitation schedules and custody arrangements in your divorce agreement, there is one potentially thorny issue that still needs to be worked out. We’re talking about making a holiday schedule. Dividing up the holidays with…
Read More

Your ex pays you child support to help you with all of the expenses that come with raising kids. Some custodial parents can be unsure of what these payments should and shouldn’t cover. For example, is child support meant to pay car insurance premiums? A Tazewell County child support lawyer…
Read More

If you are ready to get a divorce in Illinois, a Morton divorce lawyer from our firm can help. How long your divorce takes and how complicated it can end up being will depend on a number of factors, but the process of starting your divorce remains largely the same…
Read More

Divorce can be a difficult enough process, but it can be even more difficult when you have to worry about your privacy. Many divorces are handled in court, and that means a court record that contains everything that you said and did during the proceedings. If you don’t want people…
Read More

If your ex is late to drop off once or twice, that can be a bit irritating. If they make it a habit to drop your kids off late, that’s a problem. You need to address this, and a Tazewell County child custody lawyer from our firm can help. You…
Read More

You have probably heard of a prenuptial agreement, but postnuptial agreements also exist. Like a prenup, a postnuptial agreement has to meet certain standards in order to be considered enforceable. Drafting an agreement that won’t stand up to legal scrutiny is just a waste of time. This is why you’ll…
Read More

There’s nothing technically stopping you from going on a date or two while you are divorcing. Your actions can complicate matters though, especially if your divorce is already a little bit messy. This is why you may want to talk to your Tazewell County contested divorce lawyer before you put…
Read More

When you inherit something, does your spouse get a claim to it too? In most situations, they do not. However, you still need to take steps to protect your inheritance and make sure that you do not make any errors that could allow your spouse to try and claim a…
Read More

When you get a divorce, spousal support is one of the matters that needs to be addressed. Who pays and how much they pay is often one of the more contentious issues, but eventually this needs to be ironed out and made part of the final divorce agreement. Some of…
Read More

An uncontested divorce is one where the divorcing couple agrees on the major issues. It can take a lot less time to sort out than a contested divorce, but there is still paperwork to be completed and some other important matters to address. A Tazewell County uncontested divorce lawyer can…
Read More

Some states require you and your spouse to be separated for a certain amount of time before you actually get a divorce. The justification is usually that it can prevent people from rushing into this big decision. Illinois also has rules about how long you have to be separated, but…
Read More

If you are thinking about filing for divorce from your partner and you believe that they are thinking the same thing, should you rush and try to file for divorce first? In the grand scheme of things, who files first doesn’t usually make a huge difference. However, a Morton divorce…
Read More

When you get divorced and children are involved, both parents need to continue to provide for them. When one parent gets primary custody, the other parent needs to pay child support. This helps cover the necessities for each child, but some parents try to get out of these agreements. Providing…
Read More

You don’t have to go to court to settle all of the issues in a divorce case. If your marriage is ending, mediation sessions are an alternative to litigation that could end up being a better way to resolve matters like asset division, alimony, or child custody. When you make…
Read More

When you and your former spouse are working out a custody agreement, one term you might hear often is “the best interest of the child.” What does this mean exactly? It means that the court is going to make a decision based on what suits the child best, not what…
Read More

Parental alienation is a common problem in contested divorces and it can be a difficult issue to address. If one parent is engaging in this bad behavior, they should be held accountable. That could mean making changes to a custody agreement. A Tazewell County child custody lawyer from our firm…
Read More

If you have come to a child support agreement with your former spouse, you might still have some questions about the arrangement. One question we hear often from payors and payees alike is “Will this affect my taxes?” Fortunately, there aren’t actually significant tax implications to worry about when it…
Read More

After a Morton divorce lawyer from our firm helps you with your divorce, you’ll probably realize that you have an awful lot of paperwork to contend with. Can you just get rid of all of it and get a fresh new start? This can be tempting, but there are many…
Read More

Divorce can be complicated no matter how much money you have, but there are particular challenges when you and your spouse have a high net worth. One of the most important elements to think about might be the tax considerations that have to be made when splitting up a large…
Read More

When you have to split up your assets in a divorce, the process can get complicated quickly. You need someone who will stand up for your best interests and make sure that these assets are all valued and divided in a fair way. A Tazewell County marital property lawyer can…
Read More

If you really think that the family court got things wrong, you may want to appeal the decision. It’s an understandable impulse, but you should learn exactly how the process works by talking with a Tazewell County family law appeals lawyer. We can help you make your case and fight…
Read More

There are many things to take care of when you are getting a divorce, and one important thing that many people should not skip over is the process of changing their name. Whether you took your partner’s last name or decided to hyphenate, you should change that when your marriage…
Read More

When you are trying to find the best custody arrangement for your children after a divorce, many factors have to be considered by the court before a final deal can be struck and approved. One factor that can affect the proceedings is the child’s preference, but it’s important to know…
Read More

If you receive child support payments from your ex, do you have to worry about that support complicating matters come tax time? To give you the short and simple answer, these payments are not taxable. You are not going to owe taxes on your child support payments when you go…
Read More

Your child support is meant to cover many of the costs that come with raising a child, and that does include medical expenses. However, healthcare costs are not always predictable, and sometimes different arrangements need to be made in order to make sure that both parents are treated fairly and…
Read More

If you are not the custodial parent, do you have to pay for your child’s college? You can be ordered to pay for college, even though most typical child support agreements end when the child meets the age of majority. A Tazewell County post judgment modification lawyer from our firm…
Read More

We are thrilled to announce that Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. was recently awarded the 2024 John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award by the Illinois State Bar Association. This award is intended to honor the extraordinary commitment of individuals, bar associations, law firms, and corporate legal departments that provide…
Read More

Prenups get a bad rap, but they can actually be quite useful for many couples. If you are thinking about signing a prenuptial agreement, it’s important to know what kinds of things can be included. Some matters can’t be handled by a prenup, so you should talk to a Tazewell…
Read More

When making a custody arrangement, what’s best for the child or children obviously needs to be considered. Because of that, there is usually a particular type of custody arrangement that is most common. Unless there are good reasons not to ensure that both parents are in the child’s life, the…
Read More

Going through a divorce can be expensive, and this is especially true if you have to solve all of your problems through the court. Fortunately, a Morton divorce lawyer from our firm can help you find alternative methods of dispute resolution, like mediation and collaborative divorce. Many people think that…
Read More

It’s no secret that splitting from your wife or husband can be expensive. However, there are some smart ways to save money during the divorce process. A Tazewell County uncontested divorce lawyer can help you find them. What Steps Can I Take to Save Money During the Divorce Process? If…
Read More

When a couple divorces, they normally go their separate ways and settle into their own residences. Sometimes one person keeps the family home and another moves out. If there are kids involved, they go back and forth to each parent’s home for visitation. A nesting arrangement can change that though,…
Read More

Most divorces are complicated in their own way, but a military divorce can be complex right from the beginning. One of the big issues facing those who want to file for divorce from their military spouses is residency. Where do you file for divorce if your spouse is deployed or…
Read More

Any custody battle can be stressful, but a high-conflict custody battle can really push you to your limits. Fortunately, there are some ways to deal with this kind of situation while minimizing stress and continuing to fight as hard as you can for a favorable agreement. A Tazewell County child…
Read More

If you cannot afford to pay child support in accordance with your current agreement, you need to act quickly. A backlog of missed payments can quickly add up, and you could end up facing harsh penalties if you do not fulfill your obligations. You should talk to a Tazewell County…
Read More

Being married to someone with a substance abuse problem can be draining and dangerous. When you get out of that situation by divorcing them, it can be a weight off of your shoulders. Do you need to show that your spouse has a problem though? Is it like building a…
Read More

If you end up in a situation where you can no longer afford to pay alimony, you need to act quickly. Just stopping the payments can get you in serious trouble. Instead, you need to talk to a Tazewell County alimony attorney who can advise you on what you should…
Read More

When you are going through a divorce, you probably want to do everything that you can to protect your assets and ensure a fair outcome when all of your marital property is divided. Sometimes going through the courts is not the best option for you. A Tazewell County marital property…
Read More

Marital property is going to get divided up in the divorce. These days that means that even cryptocurrency is on the table when you are splitting everything up. If you or your spouse has cryptocurrency, it’s important to realize that this is going to be part of the deal. It’s…
Read More

In most cases, arguments over custody take some time and hearings need to be scheduled around a busy family court calendar. That changes if it is believed that there is some danger to a child. This is when one parent can file emergency custody orders and try to get their…
Read More

Dividing up property in a divorce is never easy, but deciding what to do with a family home and its mortgage might be one of the toughest decisions you have to make. Not only do you still owe money on it, but the property itself probably has quite a bit…
Read More

Custody battles are often the toughest part of any divorce, but matters can be made even more complex if special needs children are involved. Caring for any child is a massive undertaking, but caring for a child who has special needs can require even more time and effort on behalf…
Read More

If you are trying to get custody of your child or children, you might be worried if you have less money than the other spouse. After all, isn’t financial stability a big factor in these kinds of decisions? It is, but it is hardly the only element that will be…
Read More

Much of the time, even if the children spend most of their time with one parent after a divorce, both parents are awarded joint custody. This means that they both have input into big decisions concerning their kids, even if they only see their kids a few days per month.…
Read More

Congratulations are in order for Attorneys Kelly R. Giraudo, Tamara A. Meister, Kayla M. Hickey, and Gabrielle M. Cunningham, of Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C., who have been recently recognized by the 2024 Super Lawyers list. More specifically, Ms. Giraudo has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for 2024, her…
Read More

Co-parenting is rarely easy. Even if you and your spouse are on good terms, conflicts are bound to come up in joint custody arrangements simply because you are two different people who may have different ideas about how to best raise your children. It is important that you are able…
Read More

When your child spends time in two households, there needs to be a complete parenting plan in place that can reduce confusion and ensure that the child’s best interests are always being watched out for. A Tazewell County child custody lawyer can help you develop a parenting plan that can…
Read More

It is not easy to make a co-parenting arrangement work. It can be especially difficult if one parent will not stick to a visitation agreement and let their children spend time with the other parent. You cannot just refuse visitation, even if you think that you have a good reason…
Read More

When custody arrangements are made, the best interests of the child are the main thing that the court considers. This is why it is common for parents to be awarded joint custody, an arrangement that gives both parents responsibility and a chance to participate in the lives of their children.…
Read More

Most families have two working parents these days, and that often means that daycare costs are now an important part of most budgets. If you get a divorce, those costs are still going to be there. So does this mean that child support will be calculated with daycare costs in…
Read More

Now that same-sex marriage is legal across the land, you would think that the same-sex divorce process would be simple enough. A same-sex divorce is similar to a divorce between a straight couple in most ways, but there are some special considerations to make here. A Tazewell County LGBTQ family…
Read More

A spouse can actually refuse to sign the divorce papers they are served with. That doesn’t mean that they can put a complete stop to the process though. You are allowed to file for the dissolution of your marriage in Illinois even if your partner does not consent to it.…
Read More

An uncontested divorce seems much simpler than a contested divorce. In fact, it seems so simple that you might think that there’s no reason to even have a lawyer of your own. We understand that logic, but we recommend that you talk to a Tazewell County uncontested divorce lawyer anyway.…
Read More

A temporary order can tell a divorcing couple how to handle a certain issue, like child custody, until their divorce goes through. These are often necessary because divorces do not get wrapped up in a day or two. The process often takes a lot of time, and it could take…
Read More

Divorce can be a stressful process, and that makes it easy to make mistakes. Some of these mistakes can cause long-lasting problems, so you really want to be careful about how you compose yourself and how you deal with the many issues that are bound to come up during the…
Read More

Going through a divorce is tough on everyone, but it can be especially hard if you have a child that you want to protect from the worst parts of the process. It can be difficult to protect a child from everything, but you can take some steps to mitigate the…
Read More

If you are the victim of domestic violence, you certainly do not want to end up paying spousal support to your abusive partner. Unfortunately, that is something that can end up happening in some divorce cases. A history of violence can be considered by the court, but it may not…
Read More

If you lose your job while you are still being ordered to pay alimony to your spouse, does that get you out of your spousal support agreement? Not necessarily. The court does not like to revisit an alimony agreement unless it is absolutely necessary. If you think that your situation…
Read More

Having a prenuptial agreement can be beneficial for many couples, despite the reputation that prenups usually have. These are not just agreements that stop “gold-digging.” These documents can make it much easier to separate property and finances in a divorce. Still, there are some things that you should know before…
Read More

People on disability are generally not going to be seen as the more financially secure spouse in a divorce proceeding. This means that it is extremely rare that the disabled spouse will be forced to pay anything. It is important to look at all of the possibilities though, just to…
Read More

There are many factors for a court to consider when it is ironing out child custody and child support agreements. The best interest of the child is always the top priority, but if we had to name the next most important element it could be the financial situation of the…
Read More

There are plenty of financial decisions to make during a divorce. You want to make sure that you are not rushed and that you do everything that you can to get your post-divorce finances off on the right foot. A Morton divorce lawyer can help you do this as they…
Read More

One of the biggest sticking points in many divorce agreements is often child custody agreements. Who gets the kids and when is obviously going to be a topic that is incredibly important to both parents, so it is important to find a way to sit down and come to an…
Read More

Any divorce can be tough to manage, but one where there are a lot of assets to allocate can be particularly stressful to navigate. One thing that many of our clients ask us is “How can I protect my business?” In many cases, your spouse is owed at least part…
Read More

Any divorce can be stressful, but a high-conflict divorce can be especially tough to navigate. In cases like these, our clients face more than the typical divorce stresses, usually due to the actions and attitude of their soon-to-be former spouse. If you think that your divorce process is going to…
Read More

When you get married, you often end up accumulating debt together. When you get a divorce, any of those remaining debts need to be dealt with. A divorce agreement might also require one spouse to make alimony payments to the other spouse. Do your marital debts and alimony payment arrangements…
Read More

When calculating alimony payments after a divorce, the court can look at a wide range of factors before it comes to a decision. It is also important to note that it is not just financial factors that get weighed. So if you are worried that your financial situation does not…
Read More

When you are getting a divorce, you know that property is going to need to be split up. Knowing that, can’t you just take some of your assets and put them in a completely separate account? If it only has your name on it, then the money inside of it…
Read More

Figuring out which spouse gets which property is one of the most important parts of the divorce process. Unsurprisingly, it can also be the part that causes the most conflict. If you have a lot of property, this process can be difficult. One problem we see frequently concerns rental properties…
Read More

Divorce is never easy, but it can be especially stressful when you are dealing with an emotionally abusive spouse who is doing their best to make every stage of this process even more difficult. Having an experienced Morton divorce lawyer on your side can be helpful. An attorney from our…
Read More

You know that everything has to be divided up in a divorce, and that is easy to do when it comes to some assets. If you have a joint bank account, for example, splitting that in half is generally not going to be too much trouble. What about when you…
Read More

Getting a divorce can be stressful enough without having to deal with court dates and expensive litigation. Many of our clients ask us if it is possible to get a divorce without going to court. The answer is yes, but there are some things that you have to know before…
Read More

Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. has recently been named to the Public Interest Law Initiative's (PILI) 2023 Pro Bono Recognition Roster. Our firm was one of 44 law firms and corporations to be recognized. Specifically, law firms named to PILI's 2023 Pro Bono Recognition Roster met at least two of…
Read More

If your spouse has committed adultery, you may think that this is a good enough reason to take them to court and divorce them. Many people would agree with you, but adultery alone is not actually grounds for divorce in Illinois. If that seems confusing, a Tazewell County contested divorce…
Read More

There are a few different ways to approach disagreements in divorces. One is mediation, but divorce mediation is not ideal in every single situation. A Morton divorce lawyer from our firm can evaluate your case and determine whether or not entering into this kind of negotiation is a wise idea.…
Read More

Sometimes when people file for divorce, their spouse decides that they are not going to be cooperative and go along with the process. Whether they do not want to get divorced themselves or they simply wish to gum up the works, having a spouse who won’t cooperate during a divorce…
Read More

Dividing up everything in a divorce can be difficult enough, but it can get even more complicated when pets are involved. It is assumed that both members of a couple have bonded with the pet and have formed an attachment to them, so who gets to keep the dog, cat,…
Read More

It is natural for children to feel the impact of a divorce just like parents do. This can be a huge shakeup of their lives, and they probably have a variety of feelings that they are working through and new worries preoccupying them. It is imperative that you stand by…
Read More

Most grandparents want to have a relationship with their grandchildren, but sometimes they are stopped from doing so. If you are a grandparent who wants to visit with your grandchildren, do you have legal options? You might. If you have the chance to ask for visitation rights, a Tazewell County…
Read More