Do: Find a donor that shares similar values about egg donation. Have you come to the realization that in order to build your family, you will need the assistance of an egg donor? Regardless of whether you plan to carry the child yourself or hire a surrogate, the egg donor that you choose will share a permanent genetic connection with …
What You Need to Know about Illinois Postnuptial Agreements
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 …
Illinois Prenups: When Are They Unenforceable?
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, …
What Do Prenups Oftentimes Discuss?
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 …
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 …
NALC Fact Sheet: Community Property Issues with Farm and Ranch Divorces
Read Texas associate attorney Stephanie Bradley Fryer‘s take on community property issues for farm and ranch divorces. Cari and Stephanie teamed up on working on this Fact Sheet with the National Agriculture Law Center on this issue. You can read all the Fact Sheets on family law issues in agriculture here.
Family Law Issues in Agriculture: Child Support
Child support in most states is largely formulaic (i.e., a math equation)– basic support is typically calculated by looking at the income and qualified deductions of each parent. However, for most involved in farming and ranching or other kind of agri-business, finding the numbers for the math equation is anything but straightforward. This figure is also used to help calculate …