Peoria, Illinois, Family Law Attorneys Blog | Peoria Divorce Lawyers

Noncompliance of child custody orders may mean jail or fines

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Child Custody on Monday, May 13, 2013.

There are times when child custody issues can become very complicated and very heated also. Despite efforts to do what is in the best interest of a child, some parents may disobey child custody agreements -- for a wide variety of reasons. Illinois parents involved in a custody situation may want to follow a recent story of the potential consequences that may occur when one parent does not abide by a court ordered custody agreement.

A 27-year-old mother recently fled with her 3-year-old son despite the agreement she had with the child's father. The father had asked the courts to enforce a structured custody schedule because of unspecified issues he was having with the mother. However, when he returned to pick up his son after a visit with the mother, he found an empty apartment. She had taken the boy out of state.

High asset divorce settlement may be revisited

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Divorce on Monday, May 6, 2013.

Anytime there is a divorce settlement reached, there may always be the possibility that one party can have that agreement revisited in court if they feel there is just cause. This is exactly the case in a high asset divorce case where the ex-wife feels the original agreement simply did not give her enough. Illinois couples in the midst of finalizing a divorce agreement may want to examine how this particular case plays out.

The ex-wife of a major league baseball team owner originally agreed to settle her divorce for $131 million. She also agreed to split the real estate they had with each other. She contends she believed this amount was roughly half of what she her Dodger-owner husband had together.

Emotionally charged child custody case in hands of Supreme Court

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Fathers' Rights on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

The U.S. Supreme Court has taken up a complicated family law case that could have ripple effects across the country. The case involves a child put up for adoption then given back to her father as he evoked the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 to regain child custody of his daughter. Any Illinois parents currently seeking child custody or adoption may want to pay attention to how the case plays out.

The case involves the appeal of the adoptive parents to get the girl back. The unmarried mother gave up the baby girl at birth and the adoptive parents took her home and had her for two years. The father was a U.S. Army soldier deployed overseas when he received paperwork pertaining to giving up parental rights and letting the adoption go through. He initially signed them, and then quickly filed to get custody of the girl.

Kardashian divorce still unresolved as ex is no-show in court

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Divorce on Thursday, April 25, 2013.

Once a couple has decided to divorce and has taken steps to start new lives apart, coming together for court hearings or appearances to finalize a divorce may not be a simple matter. Illinois couples who have already moved on but still need to resolve legal issues pertaining to their divorce may want to make note of how one celebrity couple's divorce is dragging on. The process is taking so long, in part, because they are on separate coasts and they are seeking different resolutions.

The recent court hearing to reach a settlement between Kim Kardashian and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Kris Humphries, turned out to be a waste of time for Kardashian and for the judge in the case. NBA star Humphries apparently was still on one coast when the hearing was set to take place on the opposite coast. There are indications the judge in the case was not happy about Humphries' inability to appear in the courtroom.

Kids are returned to grandparents who have legal custody

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Child Custody on Friday, April 19, 2013.

Custody cases can oftentimes arouse strong emotions, especially between family members. Just recently, children who were placed in the legal custody of their maternal grandparents became the subjects of an international news story. Custodial parents and custodial grandparents in Illinois may be relieved to know how quickly the children were found and returned safely to their grandparents.

The incident began when the father of two boys, ages 2 and 4, went to the home of his wife's parents and tied up the custodial grandparent. He allegedly kidnapped the two children and then stole the couple's car and fled. The husband and wife were later found to be on a sailboat in Cuba with the two boys in tow.

Lottery winnings may affect child support formula

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Child Support on Friday, April 12, 2013.

Everyone dreams of winning the Powerball lottery and taking care of their debt in one single swoop. For one man recently, that dream came true. However, after he was identified as the winner of a huge jackpot, it became public knowledge that he had debt pertaining to back child support, as is the case for many Illinois parents for any number of reasons.

The man won a Powerball lottery that totaled $338 million. After state and federal taxes, the winner is expected to get a lump sum of roughly $152 million. The 44-year-old man has five children.

Current divorce case may involve billions and set records

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Divorce on Friday, April 5, 2013.

While the list of millionaires and billionaires continues to grow throughout the United States, it is no wonder recent divorce rulings have been setting records when it comes to the amount of and value of assets involved. One recent divorce case making the news may literally set records because of the amount of money involved. Any Illinois couples with valuable assets, large corporations or a high estimate of net worth between them may want to pay close attention to the most recent potentially record setting divorce.

The owner of large drilling company in a nearby state is reportedly in the middle of a divorce. The company is currently estimated to be worth $11 billion. The company president and his wife were married for 25 years before setting their divorce in motion. Some reports indicate the divorce could cost the company president $2 billion.

Jillian Barberie Reynolds files for divorce after 6-year marriage

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Divorce on Thursday, March 28, 2013.

While some high profile divorces may seem to take on a negative tone or be a chance to expose dirty laundry, other divorce announcements may seemingly be presented with a positive outlook, especially where children are concerned. Television host Jillian Barberie Reynolds announced her plan to divorce her husband of six years but with a sense of positivity pertaining to the children involved. An amicable statement that she released to announce her split from her husband may serve as an example to Illinois couples confronting similar circumstances.

While there were reports indicating a divorce was coming back in February, the couple just now announced plans to dissolve the marriage. A statement released by Jillian Barberie Reynolds expresses the desire to work together as parents to ensure their children grow up healthy and happy. The divorce was said to be a mutual decision.

Casino database may help garner overdue Illinois child support

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Child Support on Thursday, March 21, 2013.

A new law in several states could potentially affect Illinois parents. For parents who are behind on their Illinois child support payments, playing the slots may eventually lead to having to hand over winnings as payment for what is owed to a custodial parent. There are currently laws on the books in a number of states that allow the casinos to hold the winnings for authorities to apply toward the back child support.

Since gambling is legal in this state, and Illinois gamblers could travel to others where this law might apply, this requirement could very well extend to Illinois parents someday. In its essence, the law allows for gamblers' names to be run through a database if they win more than $1,200 at the casino. The database checks to see if the winners owe back child support.

Child support formula issues bind parents together

On behalf of Murphy & Dunn, P.C. posted in Family Law on Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

When a couple who has children together splits up, the child support issues still bind them to each other, sometimes for years to come and across state boundaries. For one father, the avoidance of paying what he was ordered to pay at the time of the divorce has really added up. Illinois families who have trouble paying or collecting the amount set by the state child support formula should be made aware of the help that is out there and how the courts can work with families to find a resolution.

A recent news story highlights how missing payments can spiral out of control and leave the other parent struggling to provide for children. A couple split after nearly 20 years of marriage and the wife moved away to raise the children. For 12 years, she allegedly didn't receive the child support she was owed. The amount of back child support payments racked up to $100,000.

Murphy & Dunn

Peoria, Illinois, Family Law Blog