Posted on October 08, 2025 in Finances and Divorce

Divorce is typically a complicated process, but it can be significantly more complex for business owners. Business valuations alone add several steps to the asset division process. If you own a business and are considering divorce, you also need to know about "double dipping." This happens when the same income is counted twice, and it can have serious financial consequences.

Illinois courts try to prevent double dipping, but it can still happen if financial details are not handled carefully. The DuPage County, IL business valuation lawyers at Andrew Cores Family Law Group help business owners avoid these mistakes. We ensure property and income are treated fairly during divorce.

What Is Double Dipping in an Illinois Divorce?

"Double dipping" means using the same money or income in two different ways during a divorce. For example, imagine you own a company that earns $200,000 a year. The court might use that income to determine the business’s value and then award your spouse a share of it during the property division. Then, if the court also uses that same $200,000 to calculate monthly spousal support, they counted one income twice. This creates an unfair situation where the business owner ends up paying twice for the same money.

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 Posted on October 02, 2025 in Mediation

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that helps divorcing spouses in Illinois work out issues without going to trial. During the process, couples can negotiate terms for all the main elements of divorce with the help of legal representation. A successful mediation agreement is clear, fair, and complete enough for the court to approve and enforce. Our Wheaton, IL divorce mediation lawyers can represent you during the mediation process and ensure you end up with a final agreement you can feel comfortable with.

Elements That Every Divorce Mediation Agreement Should Include in Illinois

A strong mediation agreement should cover all of the major parts of a divorce. One of the most important is property division. Illinois follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means property must be divided fairly. That might not mean that it will be divided equally. Your agreement should clearly identify all separate and shared assets and debts. Then, you have to outline how they will be divided.

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 Posted on September 29, 2025 in Child Support

When a parent is ordered to pay child support, moving to another state does not erase that responsibility. Illinois law and federal rules ensure that support orders can be enforced no matter where a parent lives. If you are dealing with this situation, a legal representative can help. Our experienced DuPage County, IL child support lawyers will explain the laws that apply to these cases and help you take legal action if necessary.

Can Illinois Child Support Orders Cross State Lines?

A parent cannot escape child support by simply moving away. Illinois follows the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), which outlines the rules for enforcing and modifying child support when parents live in different states. The law’s purpose is to ensure that only one valid child support order exists, even if families move.

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 Posted on September 25, 2025 in Collaborative Law

Divorce does not always have to be fought in a court battle. For many couples, collaborative divorce offers a way to end a marriage with less conflict and more communication. This process happens outside the courtroom and allows both spouses to work together with the help of trained professionals. If you are thinking about collaborative divorce, we can walk you through the process. Our Wheaton, IL collaborative divorce lawyers will connect you with the right support for your case.

Common Professionals Involved in an Illinois Collaborative Divorce

The foundation of collaborative divorce is the attorneys. Each spouse hires their own collaborative divorce lawyer. These lawyers are trained in problem-solving and negotiation. The goal is not to "win" like you might expect from a traditional divorce. Instead, collaborative divorce strives to reach an agreement that you both prefer.

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 Posted on September 18, 2025 in Alimony/Spousal Support

Couples in a civil union have nearly the same rights and duties as married couples. This includes the right to ask for financial support if the relationship ends. Illinois law sets clear rules for support when either type of union ends, making sure no partner is left without financial security after a separation. If you are dissolving a civil union, working with knowledgeable DuPage County, IL spousal maintenance lawyers is the first step in understanding your legal options.

Civil Unions and Spousal Maintenance Under Illinois Law

Illinois began allowing civil unions in 2011. This was done through the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act. This law ensures that partners in a civil union receive the same legal benefits and protections as married couples under state law. That includes the ability to seek alimony, known as spousal maintenance or spousal support in Illinois.

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 Posted on September 14, 2025 in Paternity

Learning through DNA testing that you are not a child’s biological father can change everything. What once felt like a given may suddenly raise new questions about support, custody, and your role in the child’s life. In Illinois, paternity laws are strict, but they also allow men in this situation to challenge existing court orders or acknowledgments of paternity. A knowledgeable Wheaton, IL paternity lawyer can help you take the next steps and understand your rights.

What Are Illinois’s Paternity Laws?

Paternity in Illinois is primarily governed by the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Under 750 ILCS 46/201, a man is presumed the father under specific circumstances, for example, if he was married to the mother when the child was born, or the child was born within 300 days of the marriage ending. Both parents can also sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) to establish paternity.

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 Posted on September 08, 2025 in Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

When you marry, you are not only merging your life with someone else’s but also taking on new financial ventures. Creating a prenuptial agreement is a responsible choice, offering peace of mind in the event that life surprises you. One way that it does so is by clarifying how to handle debt. An experienced DuPage County, IL family law attorney can explain how prenups work under Illinois law and how they may protect you from a partner’s financial obligations.

How Is Debt Handled During an Illinois Divorce?

Illinois follows the principle of equitable distribution when dividing marital property and debts. Under 750 ILCS 5/503, the court will decide what property and debt is "marital" and divide it fairly. This means that if one spouse takes out a loan during the marriage, the court may consider it a joint responsibility, even if the other spouse did not directly benefit from it.

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 Posted on September 02, 2025 in Child Custody

Co-parenting after divorce or separation often comes with challenges, especially if one parent does not enforce the same rules at home. Illinois law provides ways to solve disputes like these while keeping the child’s best interests at the center of the decision-making process. If your co-parent is not prioritizing your child’s education, a Wheaton, IL child custody attorney can help you understand your rights and the legal options available to you.

Protecting the Child’s Best Interests in Illinois

Illinois courts make decisions involving custody and parenting time by focusing on the child’s best interests. Under the statute that covers the allocation of parental responsibilities, 750 ILCS 5/602.7,  judges evaluate factors like the child’s educational needs, the ability of each parent to provide consistency, and how well parents encourage school performance.

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 Posted on August 25, 2025 in Asset Division

Asset division is commonly a contentious process, and having a significant inheritance among your property can bring up questions. In Illinois, an inheritance usually stays with the person who received it. Still, that protection can be lost if you mix the asset with shared funds or change the title. Read on to learn more about how courts treat inheritances and what you can do to keep yours separate. Then, speak to an experienced DuPage County, IL divorce attorney about your case.

Is Inheritance Considered Marital or Non-Marital Property in Illinois?

Under 750 ILCS 5/503(a)(1), any property that a spouse receives by gift, legacy, or descent is non-marital. A judge generally cannot award that asset to the other spouse in the division of property. Your inheritance also keeps its status when it grows in value on its own. If growth comes from either spouse’s significant efforts, such as running a business tied to the inherited asset, the court may examine whether the marital estate has a claim tied to those efforts.

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 Posted on August 20, 2025 in Finances and Divorce

Property division during divorce does more than split assets. It can also assign debts that are in both spouses’ names to just one spouse. Failure to comply with this part of a divorce decree can negatively impact you. A Wheaton, IL divorce attorney can help you understand what lenders may do, what your decree actually protects, and how to enforce the order so your credit and peace of mind are protected.

Can Creditors Come After Me for Debt That My Ex Is Supposed To Pay After Divorce?

Creditors can sometimes come after you for debt assigned to your ex during the divorce. The court divides property and liabilities under 750 ILCS 5/503, but lenders are not parties to your case. If your name stays on a joint credit card, car loan, medical balance, or lease, the creditor can still pursue either signer. Essentially, settlement terms do not rewrite the bank’s contract. Your spouse’s missed payments can lower your credit score and add fees until the account is paid, refinanced, or closed. As frustrating as that may be, there are legal solutions.

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