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309-455-8833Nowadays, it is common practice to turn to social media to update your friends and family on what is going on in your life. But if you currently have a divorce on your hands, we advise that you refrain from doing so. To learn more, follow along and see how…
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No two couples have the same issues to work through when getting a divorce. This is why the need to go to an Illinois court depends on the circumstances of your situation. Follow along to understand if it is necessary to go to court for your divorce and how a…
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More than any other asset, you may be worried that you will not be able to keep your house after your divorce due to the sentimental value it holds. Follow along to understand the possibility of losing your house in your divorce settlement agreement and how a proficient Peoria divorce…
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Having to split quality parent-child time between you and your former spouse can be difficult. What makes it even more difficult is if you suspect that your former spouse is putting your child at risk. If this is your case, you should immediately act on your parental instincts and fight…
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During your contested divorce proceedings, the Illinois court will aid you in finalizing your divorce settlement agreement, which is the legal document that lays out the terms of your divorce. Such terms include property division, child custody, child support, and alimony. Continue reading to learn how an experienced Peoria County…
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Even if you are not happy with certain aspects of your child custody settlement agreement, you must abide by them or formally request an Illinois court for a post-judgment modification. This is because breaching your contract can only further hurt your rights to access your child. For more information on…
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If you are preparing to undergo the divorce process, before anything else, you must ensure that you and/or your spouse meet the residency requirement established in the state of Illinois. This is necessary for the court to establish jurisdiction. Follow along to learn the details of these requirements and how…
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If you and your spouse have remained amicable, it may be in your best interest to remain in your family home. But if not, you should instead fight to have your spouse move out. This should especially be the case if you are dealing with a child custody settlement agreement.…
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As a high-net individual, you may have a lot on the line when it comes to a divorce. So, it is understandable that you would like to keep these matters as confidential as possible. Continue reading to learn what methods can help you maintain privacy and how an experienced Peoria…
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Regardless of whether you were anticipating a divorce, once you are served divorce papers, you must not hesitate in reacting. Even though you may want to ignore the situation, in the long term, this will not be beneficial emotionally or legally. If you are unsure of how to handle this,…
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If you are a high-net individual, you have a lot on the line when it comes to a divorce. With your hard-earned assets, your divorce proceedings require a special level of care, especially when it comes to decisions on property division. Continue reading to discover what to expect in the…
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If you were financially dependent on your spouse during your marriage, the Illinois court may order alimony as a post-divorce financial obligation. These regular payments that you will receive from your former spouse will allow you to maintain the standard of living that you established during your marriage. However, you…
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Throughout your divorce proceedings, the court will finalize decisions on many significant items at hand, such as alimony settlements, child custody agreements, child support agreements, and property division. But before you can even get to these discussions, you must meet certain criteria, such as the residency requirement and the proper…
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For the obvious reason, holding onto a copy of your divorce decree seems important because this final judgment signed by a judge is the official document that proves your divorce to be legal. But for a less apparent reason, it is also significant because it may serve as a piece…
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A job loss can be especially stressful if you are responsible for paying child support each month. It is always assumed by Illinois courts that you are able to meet your payments. So if your financial situation alters due to your recent unemployment, it is important that you consult a…
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The divorce process creates many worries, and most of them center around finances. It is not rare that people who divorce find themselves struggling to maintain or attain good credit. If this is your case, find out how a talented Peoria divorce lawyer at Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C., can…
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There are conditions that disqualify a marriage in the state of Illinois that will allow you to open up the opportunity for an annulment and sidestep the expensive, drawn-out divorce process. This is why it is important to retain the services of a knowledgeable Peoria divorce lawyer at Butler, Giraudo…
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There is no one-size-fits-all divorce process, but rather, choosing amongst the mediated, collaborative, and litigated divorce processes depends on the personal situations of each couple. Continue reading to learn what benefits and drawbacks to look out for when navigating the different processes and how an experienced Peoria County family law…
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Illinois courts make their decisions on child custody based on relevant laws, statutes, and case law, but mostly, they look at what they deem to be in the best interest of the child. Follow along to find out what factors determine the child’s best interest and how a knowledgeable Peoria…
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Coparenting can be difficult, even when your child's other parent lives just a few miles away. The task of raising your child gets exponentially harder when one parent wants to move out of state, not the least of which because it requires the parties to revisit the child custody arrangement.…
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If you want to be involved in your child's life despite not having visitation rights, please read on, then contact an experienced Peoria County child custody lawyer to learn if you must pay child support if you do not have visitation rights in Illinois. Does the state of Illinois require…
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If you are involved in child custody proceedings, please read on, then contact an experienced Peoria County child custody lawyer to learn if a child can weigh in on custody in the state of Illinois. Is a child allowed to decide on custody in Illinois? Many separating parents mistakenly think…
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If you need help modifying or terminating your alimony payments, please read on, then contact an experienced Peoria County alimony lawyer to learn if you still have to pay alimony if your ex gets remarried in Illinois. Does Illinois have permanent alimony? Yes, the Prairie State does have a system…
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Getting divorced in a state other than the one in which you were married can sometimes be a tricky business. Generally speaking, couples can only file for divorce in the state or county that has jurisdiction to hear the case. That said, one does not necessarily have to file in…
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Divorces can be expensive, nowhere is that more true than the state of Illinois. However, divorces do not always have to be costly. If you would like to spend less on your divorce, please read on, then contact an experienced Peoria divorce lawyer to learn how to save money in…
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If you have considered adopting a bird's nest custody arrangement, please read on, then contact an experienced Peoria County child custody lawyer to learn what you should know about bird's nest custody in Illinois. What is bird's nest custody in Illinois? First off, you may be wondering what bird's nest…
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You may not think your marriage lasted enough, or that your former spouse was dependant enough upon you, to justify you paying alimony, but if the court decrees it, you must comply. If you need assistance modifying your alimony agreement, please read on, then contact an experienced Peoria County alimony…
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Filing for divorce can take a financial and emotional toll on both spouses in a relationship. No one looks forward to discovery disputes and court hearings while their relationship is simultaneously crumbling. Nevertheless, divorcees do not have to endure such pain. Instead of continuing on with traditional court battles, divorcing…
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Consider the following tips if you are facing divorce to begin preparing for your proceedings to achieve a positive outcome. To learn more about what to expect during your divorce, do not hesitate to give our firm a call. We would be happy to assist you with your proceedings, no…
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Facing a divorce means that you must make the decision to hire an attorney or represent yourself. Before you make this decision, it is important to consider the risks of representing yourself in a divorce case. Continue reading to learn these risks and more. What are the risks of representing…
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A divorce is one of the most overwhelming and emotional legal processes many people will have to face in their lifetime. The stress of a divorce is enough to make some question if this is the right decision to make. If this is happening to you, it is important to…
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Our legal team understands how devastating it can be for a parent to lose child custody rights. However, this decision does not have to be permanent. To learn about how you can work to regain child custody rights, continue reading. How is child custody determined in Illinois? Illinois courts will…
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When a spouse enters a divorce, it is common for their main priority to be protecting their right to be a part of their child's life after the divorce is finalized. If you worry that your co-parent may try to challenge your parental rights during a divorce, you must act…
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It is important to understand the most common child custody mistakes that are made by many parents. These mistakes may impact your child custody orders negatively. To learn more about the top four mistakes to avoid, continue reading and reach out to our experienced Peoria County child custody lawyer. What…
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In July of 2017, Illinois introduced the Income Shares Model as a new approach to calculating child support, joining 39 other states that also use this method. The new statute's goal is to recognize the incomes of both of the parties to reach a fair amount for the support of…
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If you are entering a divorce early in life, there are a few tips to consider before your proceedings begin. Continue reading to learn the top three tips for those in their 20s who are facing a divorce. If you require assistance with your upcoming divorce, do not hesitate to…
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If you are facing an uncontested divorce in Illinois, it is important to know what to expect. To learn the issues that will need to be resolved, what a joint simplified dissolution is, and the steps of an uncontested divorce, continue reading and contact our experienced Peoria divorce lawyer. What…
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The holidays are a source of stress for many. When divorced parents share custody, this can cause the holidays to be complex. To learn more about the most common holiday family law issues, continue reading and reach out to our Peoria County child custody lawyer. Our legal team at Butler,…
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If you are facing a divorce in Illinois, one of the questions you may have is "can I file a fault-based divorce?" To learn more about fault-based divorce and the laws put into place in Illinois, continue reading and reach out to our experienced Peoria divorce lawyer. To learn more…
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When a stay-at-home parent is fighting for the custody of their child, it may be difficult based on financials alone. If you are looking to retain custody as a stay-at-home parent, it is important to consider the most common mistakes that are made during this process. To learn what you…
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In order to have a strong and healthy relationship with your co-parent for the sake of your child, the first step you should take is to strengthen your communication. Coming together with your co-parent to achieve a support system and family dynamic for your child is one of the top…
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The months and years following a divorce may bring change to the former spouses' life circumstances. These life changes may require a modification to their initial divorce agreement. If you believe that you require such a change, continue reading to learn everything you need to know about modifying child custody,…
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To learn what might occur if your former spouse has been violating your spousal maintenance order, continue reading and reach out to our experienced Illinois divorce and family law attorney for assistance. What should I know about spousal maintenance orders in Illinois? It is common in many divorce cases for…
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In some cases, spouses will turn to alternative methods of divorce to avoid litigation. To learn the different types of alternative divorce methods that are available in Illinois, continue reading. If you require assistance determining which method may be best for you and your spouse, do not hesitate to reach…
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When you learn that you’re going to be a grandparent, it can be an incredibly exciting time. However, if you are no longer in contact with your child and grandchild, you may wonder what, if any, rights you have to visitation. It’s important to understand that you may be able…
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To learn the age that child support typically ends in Illinois, continue reading. If you are wondering when you can stop paying child support, reach out to our skilled Peoria County family law attorneys to discover how we can assist you with your family law matters. Do not hesitate to…
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If you and your spouse of many years are facing a divorce later in life, you may be entering what is known as a "gray divorce". To learn more about what to expect in a gray divorce, continue reading. For assistance with your divorce matters, look no further than our…
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If you are facing a high net worth divorce, it is important to understand that your upcoming legal process requires a special level of care. High net worth divorces are often more complex than standard divorces. This is due to the unique nature of high net worth incomes and assets.…
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As a business owner, you would do anything to protect your business, especially when it comes to a divorce. To learn more about divorce as a business owner, continue reading and reach out to our experienced divorce lawyer. The legal team at Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. has helped countless…
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If you are facing a divorce and are growing worried about your finances through this legal process, continue reading and reach out to our experienced divorce attorney to learn the top tips for protecting your finances through a divorce. How can I protect my finances while going through a divorce?…
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Illinois law generally allows both parents to have a relationship with their child after a divorce or separation. However, there is no guarantee that the child is going to cooperate with the terms of a visitation agreement. There are several actions that you may want to take if your son…
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When you file for divorce in Illinois, you'll need to give your attorney a clear picture of your financial situation. This means gathering extensive documentation about you and your estranged spouse's income, properties and assets. Gathering these documents can be a time-consuming process, but it's the best way to make…
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When you get a divorce, one of the questions you may have is if you will have to pay spousal maintenance, or alimony, to your ex. Unlike child support, spousal support is not an automatic obligation. The decision to mandate this payment depends on numerous factors. In addition, the law has…
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These days, it is not unusual for both parties in a marriage to hold down jobs, sometimes quite lucrative jobs. You may be a bookkeeper or physician’s assistant with a slightly better than average income, but your spouse may be a well-paid business consultant or an officer in a large…
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Parents who desire to be involved in their children's lives after divorce should pay close attention to the custody process. If the court is creating the custody agreement, it may limit or increase the time each parent has according to its perspective. In making this determination, it looks at several…
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When it comes to divorce in Peoria, you may focus so much on preserving your finances that you overlook one of the most important assets you have: your health. Your health insurance benefits might not seem like a big deal now. If you ignore them until after your divorce is…
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Divorce rates in general have not continued to rise, except with one demographic. A Bowling Green State University study revealed that the divorce rate for senior couples doubled between 1990 and 2010. So-called "gray divorce" is no longer an anomaly. Dissolving a marriage at any age is a difficult task,…
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Divorce is a sad, grueling, mind-numbing process for everyone. For those who fall into the high-net-worth category, it can seem interminable and complex to the point of exhaustion. However, an experienced divorce attorney will help you navigate the rough waters. Here are five mistakes you should avoid as you move…
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When a couple with high net worth decides to divorce, determining an equitable division of assets can be a careful procedure. It is not uncommon for one spouse or the other to attempt to conceal certain assets until the divorce is final. If you suspect your soon-to-be ex is doing…
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Within the legislation's effort to modernize the child support agreement that accompanies a divorce decree, some people wonder if there is a downside concerning time allocation. This concern is mostly directed toward shared parenting time, the parents’ net income factor and the amount of money each will have to pay…
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If you are preparing to adopt a child in the state of Illinois, the first order of business will be to undergo the home study evaluation. After its completion, you will legally become temporary custodians of the child until the court enters the final judgment of adoption. A social worker conducts…
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When you separate from a previous partner, nothing is more important than establishing the wellbeing of your child. Sometimes individuals can work out child custody among themselves. However, in cases where the separation is not amicable, this may not be a simple task. Either way, there are a few different…
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As the old song says, breaking up is hard to do, especially when the breakup affects the whole family. When you divorce, your children will not only have to cope with a new chapter in their lives but will have to become used to dividing their lives between you and their…
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In Illinois, when the judge allocates parenting time, one thing he or she will take into account is how willing you are to make sure your child is able to develop and maintain a relationship with the other parent. Following a divorce, emotions can be very strained. You might be…
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Contrary to popular belief, parenting plans and custody orders can be enforced across state lines. Attempting to enforce a custody or support order across…
Effective co-parenting in Illinois relies on consistent, open, and respectful communication. This is vital because it provides a stable environment for the child and…
Determining when a child is considered emancipated in Illinois is critical for parents, as it can significantly affect child support obligations. When a child…
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