Ask Cari: Divorced Parents and the Earned Income Tax Credit

Cari Rincker Family/Matrimonial Law Leave a Comment

Can the custodial parent claim the Earned Income Tax Credit while the noncustodial parent claims a different tax credit?  After a divorce with children, it can be very confusing when it comes to figuring out which parent can claim which child tax credit. In most circumstances, only one parent is able to claim a child for the following tax credits: …

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What You Need to Know about Illinois Postnuptial Agreements

Cari Rincker General Leave a Comment

Is it too late for a prenup if I’m already married?  In Illinois, prenups become effective on the day that you and your betrothed are legally married.  If you’re past that point, a prenuptial agreement is no longer a valid option.  That does not mean it is too late for you and your spouse to protect yourselves and your respective …

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Illinois Prenups: When Are They Unenforceable?

Cari Rincker Family/Matrimonial Law Leave a Comment

Not all prenuptial agreements are created equal.  Sometimes, in the course of a divorce proceeding, the court will strike down a prenup and refuse to enforce it between the divorcing parties.  If you are working with an attorney to draft a strong prenuptial agreement between you and your betrothed, or if you have a prenup and are contemplating a divorce, …

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What Do Prenups Oftentimes Discuss?

Cari Rincker Family/Matrimonial Law Leave a Comment

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.

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Illinois Prenups: What You Need to Know to Get Started

Cari Rincker Family/Matrimonial Law Leave a Comment

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 …

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Client Cosmolex Portal

Rincker Law Rincker Law services Leave a Comment

Rincker Law, PLLC has been using Cosmolex for the last year.  Cosmolex offers an opportunity for us to have a Client Cosmolex Portal.  Client invoices, court pleadings, and correspondence is saved into your Cosmolex portal.  You are also able to upload documents into the portal to send them to us.  This can work great for confidential documents such as tax …

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It’s Prenup Season Folks for Summer Weddings- Here Are a Few Quick Tips to Keep in Mind

Rincker Law Family/Matrimonial Law, Farm Life, Food & Ag Law Leave a Comment

This time of year is my favorite season — and sometimes I refer to it as Prenup Season. Why? Couples planning to tie the knot this spring or summer may be considering a prenup.  I also posted a quick video here on the topic. Here are three tips for the betrothed who want a prenuptial agreement: The sooner, the better. …

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Doing the Pandemic Pivot: Consider Using “Virtual Mediation” to Resolve Your Dispute

Rincker Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Leave a Comment

Boy, life has changed in the last month.  A client told me that it happened like an avalanche and I could not agree more.  I have been conducting meditations via Zoom and GoToMeeting  and it has been working great.  I have also been referring clients to virtual/online and they have had nice experiences so far.  Pandemics force us to change …

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COBRA Basics for Divorcing Families

Rincker Law Family/Matrimonial Law Leave a Comment

As a divorce attorney, I get a lot of questions about Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”).  More specific information relating to your family’s health insurance should be investigated by you and your spouse via the applicable employer. Generally speaking, COBRA is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and applies to covered employees, their spouses, their former …

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A Closer Look at the Pet “Custody” (or Pet Allocation) in Illinois

Rincker Law Animal Law, Family/Matrimonial Law Leave a Comment

A recent Champaign County case was decided concerning the division of property concerning pets in a divorce.  In the case of IRMO Montgomery v. Montgomery, a childless couple had two Shih Tzu dogs together that were about one year apart in age.  Both proved to be fit owners and the Husband had both dogs when the Wife moved out.  Later, …

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Ask Kym: Does my Spouse Have a Duty to Preserve Evidence?

Rincker Law Family/Matrimonial Law Leave a Comment

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) …

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NALC Fact Sheet: Animal Law Issues in Farm and Ranch Divorces

Rincker Law Animal Law, Equine Law, Family/Matrimonial Law, Food & Ag Law Leave a Comment

There are a myriad of animal law issues affecting farm and ranch families who are going through a divorce (both with companion animals but also livestock and frozen genetics).  Read my Fact Sheet with the National Agriculture Law Center here.  Don’t forget to check out all my NALC Fact Sheets on family law issues with agriculture here.

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