I note three key issues usually discussed in prenuptial agreements in this short video. They are the identification of separate/ marital property, spousal maintenance and estate rights. Interested in a free 15 minute consultation on a nuptial agreement? Please contact cari@rinckerlaw.com or call (217) 531-2179.
Ask Cari: Is my inherited IRA included in my child support and maintenance calculations?
What is considered income for child support and maintenance calculations during a divorce can be very complex especially when it comes to inheritance. The Illinois Supreme Court recently helped to uncomplicate one gray area when it held that mandatory individual retirement account (IRA) distributions and withdrawals are considered income when calculating child support and maintenance calculations In re Marriage of …
Child Support During High Inflation
In the first quarter of 2022, inflation is up over 8%, the highest since the early 1980s. With this high inflation rate, you are likely paying more for everything for your child – from gas in your car, to diapers and music lessons. Maybe you’re wondering if your child support payments can go up to match your increased costs. Unfortunately, …
Business Ownership and Divorce: What You Need to Know
Divorce is rarely simple. When two people’s lives are intertwined—physically, emotionally, and legally—separating the individual strands can be a task akin to untying the Gordian knot. The longer a couple has been together and the more they share, the more difficult this task becomes. It can be even more difficult if the divorcing couple co-owns a business or one spouse …
Illinois Prenups: What You Need to Know to Get Started
Do I need a prenup before I get married? No one gets married with the intention of getting divorced, but it is always a good idea to protect your rights and your property in the event that life does not goes as planned, regardless of your financial circumstances. Divorce is inevitably complicated, contentious, and unpredictable. In Illinois, the law requires …
Illinois Family Law: Parenting Time and Shelter in Place
We have received a lot of questions from folks about what to do about parenting time orders in the midst of a shelter in place.The current Shelter in Place Executive Order in Response to COVID-19 presently in place specifically excludes under Paragraph 14(e) “[t]ravel required by law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.” …
Ask Kym: How Do I Co-Parent Amidst COVID-19?
In the past few days, we have had numerous calls on this issue. While there is no clear law as to what rules apply to parenting time and visitation during a pandemic like COVID-19, since this is an unprecedented global health crisis, I wanted to provide some suggestions to our clients and potential clients who co-parent. Please remember that although …
Overview of the Uniform Child Custody Enforcement Act
In way of background, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act was enacted in 1968. It was revisited an amended 30 years later with the formation of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act in 1997. It has been adopted in all 50 states and was adopted in Illinois in 2003. Definition of Child Custody Proceeding – this includes proceedings involving legal …
Ask Kym: Does my Spouse Have a Duty to Preserve Evidence?
As if there are not enough things to think about when beginning the divorce process, it is imperative that parties preserve evidence, even when merely the prospect of divorce litigation is present. Thus, the duty to preserve evidence is triggered when there is probable, likely or reasonably anticipated litigation. See Shimanovsky v. General Motors Corp. 181 Ill.2d 112, 121 (1998) …
Ask Kym: Are there Automatic Orders for an Illinois Divorce?
A very common thought when the divorce process begins is: what if my spouse empties or our bank account? Different states have different statues regarding what restraints are “automatic” when a divorce litigation ensues. Some have very ridged and extensive “automatic orders” or “automatic temporary restraining orders” (a/k/a/ “ATRO’s”), while others do not. Illinois does have an automatic stay for: …