Getting a divorce can be a very stressful process, and many people struggle with emotional issues related to the end of their marriages. This is understandable; ending a relationship that a person expected to last for the rest of their life can be difficult, no matter the circumstances. However, there are some cases where a divorce may involve more complex issues related to mental health. If either spouse has been diagnosed with a mental illness or is receiving treatment for psychological issues, this may affect how certain decisions are made during the divorce process. Divorcing parents may need to determine how these issues will affect decisions about child custody, and they may also need to address other mental health issues that affect their children.

In many cases, spouses are unsure about how to approach issues related to mental health during their divorce. This can be an especially important issue to deal with if a person is concerned about the safety of themselves or their children. The attorneys of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC can work with divorcing spouses to determine the best ways to address their concerns. We make sure our clients understand the laws that apply to them, the options for requesting any evaluations that may be necessary, and the protections that may be put in place. Our goal is to help divorcing spouses protect their rights and interests and create solutions that will allow them and their families to move forward successfully after they end their marriages.

Mental Health Evaluations in Child Custody Cases

While mental health issues will not always be a factor in divorce proceedings, they can be an important issue to address in cases where spouses will need to resolve child-related issues. The specific condition(s) that a parent has been diagnosed with, the types of treatment they are receiving, and their ability to make parenting decisions and provide the necessary care for children may affect the decisions made about the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. 

Getting a divorce can be a complicated process. Regardless of the level of conflict between spouses, there will be multiple legal and financial issues that will need to be addressed. Even if a couple has agreed to work together to resolve these issues amicably, they may encounter a number of concerns that will affect their finances, their relationships with their children, and their ability to move forward after their marriage has been dissolved. These issues can become even more complicated in cases where a couple becomes involved in contentious disputes. Fortunately, divorcing couples have a number of options for resolving their issues and completing the divorce process, and in many cases, they can benefit by using mediation or collaborative law.

At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we work to ensure that our clients have the tools they need to complete the divorce process successfully. We provide guidance throughout the legal process, advising our clients on the issues that they will need to address and the ways they can protect their rights and resolve conflicts. We can help divorcing spouses determine whether mediation may be a good option for creating a divorce settlement or whether a collaborative divorce may be a beneficial method of resolving disputes and finalizing the end of their marriage. If an amicable resolution is not possible, we are fully prepared to provide representation during divorce litigation and advocate on our clients’ behalf in hearings and trials.

Contested Vs. Uncontested Divorce

The approach that may be taken during the divorce process will often depend on whether a case is contested or uncontested. In an uncontested divorce, a couple will agree to work together to resolve all divorce-related issues without proceeding with the litigation process and holding a divorce trial. During an uncontested divorce, a couple may encounter multiple types of disputes, but they will work to resolve these matters outside of court and create a divorce settlement.

If you are preparing to get married, you will have a lot to consider as you plan for your life together with your future spouse. When there are many different issues related to your wedding that you will need to address, as well as plans for changes to your life as you combine your finances and prepare to live together, the possibility of a divorce is likely to be the last thing on your mind. Even if the idea that your marriage may not last may be unthinkable, you should still consider this possibility and make plans for how you and your partner will handle matters if you do choose to get divorced in the future. You can do so by creating a prenuptial agreement, and even if divorce never becomes an issue, this type of agreement can benefit you and your spouse in other ways as well.

Prenuptial agreements in Illinois are governed by the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act. Illinois law uses the phrase "premarital agreement" but the term prenuptial agreement is still sometimes used informally. 

As you consider how to address legal and financial issues as you prepare to get married and determine the best ways to protect yourself, Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC can provide invaluable legal help. We will make sure you understand your rights and options, and we will work with you to negotiate an agreement that will fit your unique situation. With our help, you can make sure both you and your partner fully understand the issues you plan to address, the decisions you make, and the benefits a prenuptial agreement can provide to you throughout your marriage.

For many people, divorce represents a fresh start that will allow them to close a chapter in their lives and move on from a relationship that was not working. Part of moving forward following a divorce may include changing a person’s last name and reverting to their maiden name or the name that had used before getting married. There are also a variety of other situations where name changes may be appropriate for those who are involved in family law cases. By understanding the requirements for legally changing a person’s name, those who are looking for a fresh start or who wish to make changes in their lives can follow the correct procedures and avoid any complications that may affect them.

At Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC, we understand the complex legal issues that can affect people who are going through the divorce process or who are involved in other types of family law matters. While changing a person’s name may seem like an afterthought in many of these cases, taking steps to do so at the right times can help a person avoid potential complications. We can provide guidance on the procedures that must be followed in these cases, and we can also help address and resolve any complications that may arise.

Simple Name Changes Following Marriage or Divorce

Changing a person’s name is generally an easy process when a couple gets married. A valid marriage certificate will allow either spouse to change their last name, and they can generally do so by updating their information at their local Social Security office.

Even at the best of times, a divorce is likely to involve conflict between spouses. While a couple may be able to negotiate with each other and come to agreements in some areas, they may reach an impasse when addressing certain issues. In many cases, disagreements involving a couple’s children can be especially difficult to resolve. To address these matters, outside experts may become involved in a case, and a judge may appoint a guardian ad litem or child custody evaluator. When dealing with these types of experts, parents will need to make sure to understand their rights and the ways they can protect their children’s best interests.

The attorneys of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC have represented clients in a wide variety of complex divorce and family law cases involving child-related issues. With our experience in these matters, which includes serving as guardians ad litem and legal representatives for children, we can help divorcing parents understand the best ways to proceed in these matters. We work to help our clients resolve disputes related to their children and other aspects of divorce as effectively as possible, ensuring that they will be able to move forward with their lives and maintain positive family relationships after completing the divorce process.

When Are Outside Experts Appointed to Address Child Custody?

When divorcing parents disagree about the allocation of parental responsibilities or how parenting time should be divided, it may be difficult for a family court judge to gain a full understanding of the issues involved in the case. While the arguments made by each parent will address the parents’ desires and their beliefs about what is best for their children, this may not provide a complete picture of the family’s situation. Since a judge will be looking to find solutions that will protect the children’s best interests, they may need assistance from other parties to gain information about the case and determine how child-related issues should be resolved.