In In re Scarlett Z.-D., the Illinois Supreme Courtrefused to grant equitable adoption rights to a nonparent who had played a childrearing role. The author looks at the policy issues surrounding the role of nonparents in childrearing.
On May 27, 2016, the Appellate Court of Illinois held that the court may award attorney fees to a party in cases involving termination of parental rights and adoption proceedings under section 508 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA).
The Department of Children and Family Services ("DCFS") adopted amendments that change pertinent definitions to 12 Parts. 89 Ill. Adm. Code 300 (eff. May 16, 2016).
On May 3, 2016, the Third District Appellate Court affirmed the circuit court's denial of a husband's motion to vacate judgment for dissolution of marriage claiming that the parties' postnuptial agreement was unconscionable.
On September 28, 2015, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court issued several rulings in a consolidated appeal addressing the modification of a permanent maintenance award and an award for prospective attorney fees.
The Illinois Supreme Court has released two required statewide forms for divorce cases, and legislators have introduced a bill to remove ambiguities in last year's IMDMA rewrite.
On February 26, 2016, the Second District Appellate Court affirmed the circuit court's allocation of property in its order of dissolution of marriage and denial of attorney's fees to the wife.
Under Section 1041 of the Internal Revenue Code, property transfers between ex-spouses are tax free if they happen within a year of divorce. But Section 1041 can also apply to some transfers that take place after a year. Here's how it works.
In a ground-breaking ruling, the second district in Miller found that an intimate dating relationship was not a de facto marriage that triggered termination of maintenance after divorce. The ruling is a step forward, the authors argue.
The Department ("DCFS") has adopted amendments concerning contact and visitation between siblings when some or all are in DCFS custody and not living in the same household.
In In re Squire, the appellate court expanded the reach of the IMDMA's "leveling the playing field" provision by requiring a spouse's attorney to disgorge already earned fees to the other side.
Should I call one of the kids to testify in a custody case? Can a lawyer contact the opposing party’s
family? Can my client get an extension of time to complete traffic school?
On September 14, 2015, the First District Appellate Court held that funds in an inherited IRA are not exempt from collection under the retirement plan exemption of section 12-1006 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure.
The author explains how custodial parents are entitled to support payments for an emancipated child's expenses the summer before college and while on break.
The new Act, effective January 1, is a complete rewrite of Illinois parentage law that reflects changes in cultural norms and reproductive technology in the past 30 years.
The rewrite of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, effective January 1, fundamentally changes family law practice. Here's a summary of key provisions.
Thanks to a recent Illinois Appellate Court case, grandparents have a roadmap for using expert testimony to win court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren.
On June 18, 2013, the First District of the Appellate Court held that in disputes regarding the disposition of pre-embryos, the court would honor any prior agreement between the parties.