Donald has been recognized by various national publications as one of Illinois' premier lawyers. He served as past President of the Illinois State Bar Association and co-founded and faculty member of DePaul University College of Law's Family Law Center.
Point cook family family lawyers have helped many families navigate legal matters related to divorce, child custody, property settlement and spousal support. Furthermore, they offer their expertise in other parts of the state as well.
Child Custody
Child custody can be one of the most perplexing elements in divorce or legal separation proceedings. Custody arrangements should take into account both physical and legal considerations for the best interests of each child involved, with physical custody having priority over legal custody.
Full legal custody grants one parent the authority to make decisions regarding their child's health, welfare, and education. Their primary residence will be decided by the court; visitation will follow a schedule set forth by this order.
Physical and legal custody may be awarded separately or jointly; joint custody should generally only be awarded when parents have shown they can work cooperatively together. If parents cannot reach an agreement themselves, mediation with a professional mediator will help develop a custody and visitation plan for their children; those not agreeing with its terms will have their case set for trial before a judge who will then enter an enforceable custody and visitation order.
Child Support
Child support payments are meant to meet their children's basic needs. It typically depends on each parent's incomes and how much parenting time each one shares; additional considerations include day care expenses, nanny/babysitter salaries, summer camp fees and educational costs such as tuition for private schools or universities.
Child support typically ends when a child reaches 18 or graduates from high school; in certain circumstances such as special needs children, support may continue until they become self-supporting.
An experienced Point Cook family law attorney can assist with establishing and modifying child support, and collecting past-due payments. Failure to abide by court-ordered child support obligations is considered contempt of court, with fines or even jail sentences possible depending on its severity. Furthermore, payments that remain overdue for more than 12 months face federal criminal sanctions as well.
Divorce
Divorce is the legal dissolution of marriage, involving matters such as property division, spousal support payments, child custody arrangements and parenting time rights. We can assist both you and your partner in reaching an amicable resolution outside court, or represent your rights at trial if necessary.
If you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement, the judge may arrange for a Status or Case Resolution Conference where you, both parties and any attorneys you have hired meet with a neutral third party to attempt to resolve their differences. We can assist with preparation for this conference and act as your advocate should litigation take place.
If your circumstances have changed, filing a petition for modification of court orders may be an option. We can explain all your options when it comes to changing spousal support, child custody and other aspects of your divorce decree. Our firm also has extensive experience dealing with same sex marriage and divorce matters - for more information visit our divorce page for additional guidance.
Property Settlement
Property Settlement agreements, commonly referred to as Final Divorce Agreements or Marital Settlement Agreements, are binding contracts between two former spouses that establishes how assets and debts will be divided as well as provisions regarding child custody, child support, spousal support and other important matters. They are legally enforceable so it's important that a professional prepare your property settlement agreement for you.
Comprehensive property settlement requires careful evaluation of each asset's acquisition, character, value and use. This may involve hiring experts such as forensic accountants, business valuation analysts or property appraisers who specialize in accurate appraisals or investigations of complex financial matters.
As part of the property settlement process, it is critical to keep accurate records in order to avoid issues during settlement. One such issue is "commingling and transmutation", wherein two or more parties assume ownership jointly while only one actually paid for it. This issue can be avoided by providing clear evidence of individual property ownership rights.
Point cook family family lawyers have helped many families navigate legal matters related to divorce, child custody, property settlement and spousal support. Furthermore, they offer their expertise in other parts of the state as well.
Child Custody
Child custody can be one of the most perplexing elements in divorce or legal separation proceedings. Custody arrangements should take into account both physical and legal considerations for the best interests of each child involved, with physical custody having priority over legal custody.
Full legal custody grants one parent the authority to make decisions regarding their child's health, welfare, and education. Their primary residence will be decided by the court; visitation will follow a schedule set forth by this order.
Physical and legal custody may be awarded separately or jointly; joint custody should generally only be awarded when parents have shown they can work cooperatively together. If parents cannot reach an agreement themselves, mediation with a professional mediator will help develop a custody and visitation plan for their children; those not agreeing with its terms will have their case set for trial before a judge who will then enter an enforceable custody and visitation order.
Child Support
Child support payments are meant to meet their children's basic needs. It typically depends on each parent's incomes and how much parenting time each one shares; additional considerations include day care expenses, nanny/babysitter salaries, summer camp fees and educational costs such as tuition for private schools or universities.
Child support typically ends when a child reaches 18 or graduates from high school; in certain circumstances such as special needs children, support may continue until they become self-supporting.
An experienced Point Cook family law attorney can assist with establishing and modifying child support, and collecting past-due payments. Failure to abide by court-ordered child support obligations is considered contempt of court, with fines or even jail sentences possible depending on its severity. Furthermore, payments that remain overdue for more than 12 months face federal criminal sanctions as well.
Divorce
Divorce is the legal dissolution of marriage, involving matters such as property division, spousal support payments, child custody arrangements and parenting time rights. We can assist both you and your partner in reaching an amicable resolution outside court, or represent your rights at trial if necessary.
If you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement, the judge may arrange for a Status or Case Resolution Conference where you, both parties and any attorneys you have hired meet with a neutral third party to attempt to resolve their differences. We can assist with preparation for this conference and act as your advocate should litigation take place.
If your circumstances have changed, filing a petition for modification of court orders may be an option. We can explain all your options when it comes to changing spousal support, child custody and other aspects of your divorce decree. Our firm also has extensive experience dealing with same sex marriage and divorce matters - for more information visit our divorce page for additional guidance.
Property Settlement
Property Settlement agreements, commonly referred to as Final Divorce Agreements or Marital Settlement Agreements, are binding contracts between two former spouses that establishes how assets and debts will be divided as well as provisions regarding child custody, child support, spousal support and other important matters. They are legally enforceable so it's important that a professional prepare your property settlement agreement for you.
Comprehensive property settlement requires careful evaluation of each asset's acquisition, character, value and use. This may involve hiring experts such as forensic accountants, business valuation analysts or property appraisers who specialize in accurate appraisals or investigations of complex financial matters.
As part of the property settlement process, it is critical to keep accurate records in order to avoid issues during settlement. One such issue is "commingling and transmutation", wherein two or more parties assume ownership jointly while only one actually paid for it. This issue can be avoided by providing clear evidence of individual property ownership rights.