Chicago Divorce Lawyer
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Often, in divorces involving complex assets, the question arises – “Can I get spousal support during the divorce process?”
Divorces involving complex assets can take longer to process through the legal system. Your divorce attorney can help insure you are able to pay for your living expenses and meet your financial obligations, during the pendency of the case, by asking the courts to award temporary support.
Section 501 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act allows a court to award a spouse temporary support while the case is pending. The court sets an amount that is to be paid each month for maintenance or child support or both. This is a short term remedy and is not the final amount awarded at the end of the case.
In order to obtain temporary support, the spouse must file a Petition for Temporary Support. The Petition must allege that the party seeking support is without sufficient income or assets to meet the needs of that party and/or the children. The Petition must also allege that the opposing spouse has the income and ability to pay support. The Petition for Temporary is accompanied by an affidavit which details the categories and amounts of living expenses.
Each county in the State of Illinois requires all divorce litigants to prepare an affidavit of expenses in some form. In Cook County, the form is called “Disclosure Statement Pursuant to Rule 13.3.1(B)” (form #CCDR 0604) and can be found on the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County website, Court Forms, Divorce Division. In Lake County, the form is called “Financial Affidavit… Continue reading
Chicago divorce specialist answers the question “What is the difference between a legal separation and divorce in Illinois?”
As a divorce specialist in the Chicago area, I am exposed to many misconceptions about divorce law. For example:
People often mistakenly think that they are “legally separated” if they live in separate residences. In actuality, a legal separation is a marital status, just as is divorced or married. (Section 402 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act). In order to be legally separated in Illinois, a court must approve the legal separation and enter a court order to that effect.
If a spouse desires a trial separation and not a divorce, a legal separation is a vehicle to provide that spouse with support during the separation. However, it should be noted that while providing a legal support obligation, that same section, Section 402 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, also states that a legal separation does not bar the other spouse from obtaining a divorce if the requirements for a divorce are met.
Today, a legal separation is rarely used instead of a divorce. The primary reasons are:
- During the period of actual separation, attorneys can agree to an informal arrangement for spousal support, so it is not necessary to obtain a formal court order of legal separation.
- Pursuant to federal and state law, a spouse with a chronic illness no longer needs to remain married in order to obtain continuing health insurance coverage.
- In order to obtain a legal separation, a spouse must retain a lawyer, who then files a court case… Continue reading
How does the Domestic Violence Act apply in divorce cases?
In 1986, the Illinois State Legislature enacted the Illinois Domestic Violence Act, 750 ILCS 60/101. The purpose of the Act is to prevent a person from being harmed or abused. The Act allows a person relief through civil courts versus having to go through the criminal court system. The Act provides protection for married and unmarried parties. An action may be brought under the Act as either an independent action or in conjunction with a divorce proceeding. The Domestic Violence Act requires a lower burden of proof than does the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. In an action under the Domestic Violence Act, the Petitioner must show abuse and harassment; that there is a likelihood that the abuse will continue unless the Respondent is prohibited from those actions; and that the balance of hardship weighs in favor of the Petitioner.
When you file an action for relief under the Domestic Violence Act, you are asking the court to issue an “Order of Protection” enforceable, if it is violated, with either civil or criminal penalties. The relief requested can be for the Petitioner as well as other protected persons, such as children or disabled adults. A summary of the remedies that may be obtained under the Act, 750 ILCS 214/60(b), are:
- Prohibiting Respondent from harassment, interference with personal liberty, intimidation of a dependent, physical abuse, or willful deprivation, neglect or exploitation.
- Granting a Petitioner the exclusive possession of a residence.
- Placing a stay away order against a Respondent. This… Continue reading
