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Recent Blog Posts
How Can Parental Alienation Affect Child Custody Cases?
Family law cases involving child custody can be difficult and stressful, even in situations where there is little conflict and parents are in agreement about how various issues should be handled. However, these cases can easily become contentious. In some cases, parents' negative feelings toward each other may affect how they interact with their children, and one parent may act in ways that could cause harm to the relationship between the children and the other parent. These actions and behaviors are often referred to as parental alienation, and they can not only affect matters related to child custody, but they can cause children to suffer emotional harm.
In situations where parental alienation has occurred or where a parent suspects that their former partner is attempting to alienate their children against them, it is important to address this issue correctly. At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, our divorce and family law attorneys know how harmful parental alienation can be, and we work to help our clients respond to this type of behavior and ensure that they can maintain good relationships with their children. We always work to protect the best interests of children in these matters, and we do everything we can to protect them against harm and advocate for solutions that will allow for positive parent/child relationships.
How to Change Your Name After Your Divorce
The divorce process will involve numerous complex issues related to your finances, your living situation, your relationships with friends and family members, and your personal affairs. Reorganizing your life as you separate from your spouse, establishing new living arrangements, determining how to cover various expenses, and changing your routines can be very stressful. As you work out all the details related to the end of your marriage, one issue that can easily be forgotten is the change to your name.
A name change can represent a new beginning after a divorce, and it can help you put difficult times behind you as you establish a new life for yourself. However, understanding the steps you will need to follow when changing your name is not always easy. In addition to completing the requirements to legally change your name, you will need to update multiple different types of documents and notify various organizations. By understanding the steps you will need to follow, you can make sure you will be prepared to move forward after your divorce is complete.
5 Issues to Address When Negotiating a Property Division Settlement
When a married couple files for divorce, there are many important decisions that need to be made before their marriage can be legally dissolved. Many of the most important considerations will be related to the division of marital assets and debts. The process of dividing marital property can be complicated, especially when a couple has a high net worth or owns complex assets. When negotiating a divorce settlement that fully addresses all of a couple's assets and debts, as well as other financial issues, it is important to understand the different factors that will need to be taken into account.
At the law firm of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we have the knowledge, experience, and skills to help our clients resolve complex divorce-related issues. We have represented spouses in a wide variety of cases involving high-value assets, large incomes, and other factors that can complicate the divorce process. With our understanding of the divorce laws in Illinois and the methods that can be used to resolve disputes, as well as our dedication to advocating for our clients' interests at all times, we can help you complete the divorce process successfully and achieve an outcome that will allow you to meet your ongoing needs.
Looking Back at Our Most Popular Family Law Blogs in 2022
Family law can be a complicated topic. Spouses who are planning to get a divorce, parents who need to determine how they will share child custody, or other family members who need to address and resolve legal issues in family court will need to understand a variety of different laws and related matters as they work to resolve disputes and put workable solutions in place. At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we work to educate our clients about the laws that apply in their unique situations, and through our blog, we provide helpful information about topics that may be important to people involved in these types of cases. We wanted to highlight some of our most-read blogs over the past year and provide updates about the issues discussed and the concerns that may affect spouses, parents, children, or other family members.
How to Avoid Conflict Between Parents When Creating a Parenting Plan
The breakup of a long-term relationship can be difficult for everyone involved, but it can be especially hard for parents who share children. If you are planning to get a divorce or are preparing to end a relationship with an unmarried partner, making decisions about how you will parent your children going forward may be one of the biggest challenges you will face. Creating a parenting plan that both parents can agree on can be difficult and overwhelming. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize conflict as you make decisions about how you will share the custody of your children, while also putting a framework in place that will help you avoid arguments and disputes in the future.
The attorneys of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC understand the complex and challenging issues that often play a role in matters related to child custody. We work with our clients to help them create parenting plans that are tailored to their unique needs, while also offering practical and effective advice on how to minimize conflict with their child's other parent. Our goal is to help parents resolve disputes as amicably as possible while ensuring that they will have the tools and resources they need to provide for the best interests of their children in the years to come.
Why Did Justin Hartly File For Divorce?
Justin Hartly and Chrishell Stause's divorce came as a shock to many, as the couple had been married for just two years. The This Is Us star filed for divorce from his wife in July 2020, citing irreconcilable differences.
The couple had met while working on the set of daytime television shows.
Hartley was the lead on The Young and the Restless, while Stause was a mainstay on Days of Our Lives. They tied the knot in October 2017 after being together for four years.
The news of the divorce spread quickly, and fans of Selling Sunset were
especially perplexed because only hours before the news broke, Stause had been selling “coffee with Justin Hartley” at a charity auction.
So why did Justin Hartly file for divorce? Unfortunately, there is no clear
answer to this question. Hartley cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce, but it is unclear what those differences were. Some have speculated that Hartley's sudden rise to fame may have been a factor in the split, as Stause had previously remarked jokingly that she would have taken her own life if she had ended up with the person she was with when she was 25.
It is also possible that the couple simply grew apart over time, as can happen in any relationship. Whatever the reason for the divorce, it is clear that it was a difficult decision for both parties. Stause has since opened up about her experience, saying that it was “hard, and it destroys your sense of self-worth to the point where all you can think is, ‘How could you do it this way?'”
At WKO Family Law, we understand how difficult it can be to go through a divorce. We are here to help you navigate the process and ensure that your rights are protected throughout the process. Our experienced attorneys can provide you with the legal advice and representation you need to get through this difficult time. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
When Do Parents Need to Establish Paternity in Illinois?
Traditionally, families have consisted of two married parents of the opposite sex who share one or more children. However, even though this type of "nuclear family" may be thought of as the default situation, it is becoming less and less common in the United States. Many couples build lives together and have children without getting married. Married couples may get divorced and remarried, and people may have children with multiple different married or unmarried partners. When adding issues such as same-sex relationships and single parenthood into the mix, it can seem like there are endless different types of family configurations.
Regardless of how a family is structured, it can be important to establish and safeguard the legal relationships between parents and children. While this may not be an issue for parents who are married when their child is born, parents in other situations may need to take steps to establish paternity. This can provide benefits for the child as well as the parents. However, the procedures followed in these cases are not always clear, especially if disputes arise between parents about the identity of a child's father or the role that each parent should play in the child's life.
Why Did Pam and Tommy Divorce?
Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's marriage was one of the most high-profile
celebrity unions of the 1990s. The couple, who married in 1995 after a
whirlwind four-day courtship, were together for three years before their
divorce in 1998. But why did Pamela and Tommy get divorced?
The couple's split was primarily attributed to a domestic violence incident in
February 1998. Lee was arrested for spousal abuse after leaving Anderson with
bruises, a torn fingernail, and fear for the safety of her two sons. Lee
pleaded no contest to the spousal abuse charges against him and was sentenced
to six months in the Los Angeles County jail. Anderson filed for divorce
shortly after the incident and requested custody of their sons.
Despite the domestic violence incident, the couple attempted reconciliation
after Lee was released from jail. Anderson spoke about their reunion on a May
1999 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, saying: "Tommy and I are
back together, working our family out. We're doing really well, and our
children are happy." However, the accord did not last forever, and the couple
split for the second time in 2001.
In 2008, Anderson and Lee tried for the third time at romantic bliss, but it
wasn't their last attempt at getting back together. The former spouses split
for good in 2010.
Though the sex-tape scandal undoubtedly stressed the stars' marriage, it
was not actually the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. It was a
case of domestic violence that rang the death knell for Pam and Tommy.
Unfortunately, it was a case of domestic violence that ultimately led to the
end of their marriage.
Today, both Anderson and Lee have moved on with their lives. Anderson is now
single after splitting from husband Dan Hayhurst in 2021, while Lee is married
to former Vine star Brittany Furlan. Though their marriage ended in divorce,
the couple still share two sons, Brandon Thomas Lee and Dylan Jagger Lee.
What Spouses With a High Net Worth Need to Know About Divorce
The divorce process can be long, complicated, and expensive for any couple. However, cases can become especially complex when a couple has a high net worth, including situations where one or both spouses have a high income, where they own valuable assets, or where either spouse has significant family wealth. If you are currently going through a divorce or are considering ending your marriage, and you need to address issues related to large assets or significant income earned by either spouse, there are some things you need to keep in mind. By taking the right approach during your divorce, you can protect your financial interests, minimize complications and expenses, and come out the other side of your case prepared to meet your needs in the future.
The team at Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC has extensive experience representing clients in multiple types of divorce cases, including those involving couples with a high net worth. We understand the unique considerations and challenges that affect couples in these situations, and we have the knowledge and experience needed to help you handle financial issues effectively. Our goal is to help you achieve the best possible outcome, whether that means negotiating a divorce agreement that takes your unique circumstances into account, working with forensic accountants to value assets and determine appropriate distributions, or representing you in litigation if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Post-Divorce Modifications in Illinois
Getting through the divorce process can be difficult for everyone involved. Spouses will need to address multiple details related to their finances and property, and in addition to determining how to divide marital property fairly, they will also need to make sure they will be able to meet their needs going forward. Parents who get divorced will need to make decisions about the custody of their children, and child support orders will be put in place. Addressing all of these issues and resolving the various disputes that may arise can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. Because of this, those who complete the divorce process are usually ready to put these matters behind them and move forward with their lives. However, in the years following a divorce, questions may arise about whether the orders put in place in family court can be modified.
If you have experienced changes in your life after finalizing your divorce, you will likely have many questions about what types of modifications you can request and the procedures you will need to follow in these cases. The attorneys of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC can answer any questions you may have about these issues, and we will inform you of your rights and advise you on how to proceed as you request a modification. We will provide you with representation in court hearings, and we will advocate on your behalf to ensure that your rights and your children's best interests will be protected in any modifications that the court puts in place.