A new Illinois law strengthening the disclosure requirements on homes sold with seller financing went into effect in January 2018. The new law gives buyers of seller-financed homes more protection from eviction if they miss a payment. The move by state legislatures is in response to a lawsuit filed … [read more]
Judges hearing Illinois divorce cases usually require divorce lawyers for both parties to meet in at least one pre-trial conference. At this meeting, the attorneys present to the judge the progress of the divorce settlement and discuss any new issues that need to be resolved between the parties. … [read more]
Foreclosure fraud tends to run rampant among distressed homeowners despite increased attention from regulators, law enforcement, and the media, and people who are at risk of losing their homes should be extra cautious when considering foreclosure solutions. One of the most common schemes that … [read more]
Parentage is the legal term for the relationship between parents and children. Many factors can complicate establishing parentage. Feelings the parents have for one another, their relationship status, and their willingness to be a parent can all cause conflicts. When a child's parents are not … [read more]
Divorcing later in life, often referred to as gray divorce, is becoming more common, in part, because as people enjoy longer, more active lives, they grow apart and their goals and interests change. While the divorce rate for most other age groups has remained the same in recent years, the rate of … [read more]
Stability is an important factor in parental allocation cases.The Institute for Family Studies finds that instability has numerous negative effects on children. Repeated transitions cause feelings of stress that lead to developmental problems, academic struggles, and interpersonal difficulties. … [read more]
The excitement of home ownership can quickly be dashed if home defects are discovered after the real estate sale has closed, but home buyers may still have legal options. Home sellers in Chicago, Illinois must disclose to potential buyers what they know about the quality, safety, and overall health … [read more]
Following a few simple steps can enable divorcing couples to maintain friendly terms during a divorce. Friendly interactions, mutual respect, and open communication are more likely to bring about positive outcomes for divorcing spouses and their children. Friendly divorces are not the norm. For … [read more]
If an Illinois court uses a higher income than what a parent is actually earning to calculate child support payments, it is referred to as imputed income. This may happen if the divorcing spouse is able to prove to the court that the other parent is intentionally earning less than he or she could be … [read more]
If one spouse is attempting to hide assets prior to or during a divorce, the other spouse can use a legal tool known as "discovery" to prove the attempted deception and uncover the hidden assets. Assets are categorized in several different ways. Marital assets are those acquired during the … [read more]
