In the past, it was understood that living with someone before marriage increased the likelihood that the couple would divorce later in life. Today, though, with nearly half of first marriages ending in divorce within the first twenty years of the marriage, people may begin to wonder if living together before their marriage would work to lower the risk of divorce. In fact, Illinois couples may be pleased to know that, with 60 percent of couples living together before marriage, premarital cohabitation now appears to foreshadow a short marriage, as it once did.
Man deemed responsible for children conceived post-divorce
Illinois couples deciding to get divorced likely understand that they have several critical issues to settle. For couples with children, these settlements largely concern child custody and Illinois child support. However, what happens when a child is conceived and born via in-vitro fertilization after the couple has already divorced? Such was the situation for one couple, as the mother sought child support for her twin children from her ex-husband, who genetically fathered the children.
Your smart phone might affect your divorce settlement
Thousands of Americans use smart phones to make daily tasks easier. However, smart phone users should understand how their electronic device could dramatically affect the outcome of their divorce proceedings. A recent survey by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers shows that 92 percent of the more than 800 divorce lawyers polled say they have seen a noticeable increase in cases that utilize evidence taken from smart phones. As such, Illinois residents who may be considering divorce should know what can hurt them, and what can help them, as it relates to their smart phone use.
Fighting for Fido
Illinois is one of a few states that are already beginning to make adjustments in its laws regarding family pets. Likewise, the amount of custody cases involving pets is on the rise across the country. In child custody cases in which the family also owns a pet, the settlement typically provides for the pet to go with the child. However, there are more and more custody disputes solely involving pet ownership between divorcing couples.
Illinois parents benefit from knowing child custody procedures
Kelsey and Camille Grammer have at last settled a child custody agreement regarding their two children. The agreement provides for Camille to have sole physical custody, with Kelsey having visitation rights and both retaining legal custody of the children. The parents are still negotiating a final financial settlement.
