If any debt was taken at any point within the marriage, then that is considered shared between the parties. All marital debts and assets will need to be addressed during an Illinois divorce. Typically, any debt a party incurred before the two were married is considered non-marital property and will be the party's sole debt and responsibility. However, there are exceptions to this. 

If the parties are unable to agree on how their debts should be divided, then the court will step in and decide how to divide debt. Illinois is an equitable distribution state, meaning that debts and assets will be split fairly during an Illinois divorce,

Divorcing Spouses are Encouraged to Pay Off Debt 

Many divorce lawyers encourage divorcing spouses to pay off jointly held debt. Creditors are not required to absolve someone of their debt just because they got divorced. It is possible for a spouse to be pursued for repayment of debts that the other spouse amassed months or years after the divorce. If you are getting divorced and you and your spouse share debts, you may want to consider selling assets such as the marital home to pay down these debts. 

During a divorce, an ideal situation is that both parties can negotiate and settle on terms on their own. If both parties agree on how to divide assets, parenting time, and finances, they can save time, money, and stress. Divorce mediation can be an effective tool for parties to find a resolution that works for everyone. 

During divorce mediation,  couples can use the help of a third-party mediator to facilitate communication, negotiate and resolve conflicts between them. The mediator helps the couple understand their own interests, explore options for settlement, create a mutual agreement, and prepare the necessary paperwork.

Divorce mediation is often faster and less expensive than traditional divorce proceedings. It also helps both parties avoid the stress and bitterness of a court battle. 

 Divorce can be taxing and complicated. With all the different elements that go into getting a divorce, many people may feel overwhelmed at the thought of navigating through all these complexities. Divorce is not a fun process to go through, but if you can understand the basics of Illinois divorce law, you will be in a better position to steer your way through the twists and turns that can go into a divorce. Working with an experienced divorce lawyer can also significantly reduce your stress and provide you with the legal guidance you need. 

Grounds For Divorce 

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. This means that parties do not need to prove that there was a fault for the end of the marriage. Since the law changed in 2016, the only grounds for a divorce in Illinois are irreconcilable differences. There are however a few elements that parties must prove to get a no-fault divorce in Illinois: 

• The breakdown of the marriage has been caused by irreconcilable differences 

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Do grandparents have visitation rights in the state of Illinois? While it is recognized that extended family members play important roles in children's lives, their right to see their grandchildren are more complicated than one may think. 

Visitation occurs when a person who is not a parent of the child spends time with the child. While visitation used to also encompass parents spending time with their child, now that is referred to as parenting time.

Granting Visitation Rights 

The parents of the child are the ones  in charge of how they raise their children and who their children spend time with. Parents have the right to keep their children away from grandparents. However, in Illinois, a grandparent can petition the court for visitation. Grandparents must meet the following requirements to qualify for grandparent visitation rights: 

 Child support is a legal obligation that parents have to support their children financially. When unmarried parents have a child together or married parents get divorced, the court may require one of the parents to pay child support to the other. Money from child support can be used to cover housing expenses, educational costs such as private school tuition, extracurricular fees, groceries, and everyday expenses. Whether you are planning to divorce soon or you are an unmarried parent, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities regarding child support.

How Is The Amount Of Child Support Determined In Illinois?

The amount of child support that a parent is required to pay is determined by the state's guidelines. These guidelines take into account the income of both parents, the number of children, and other factors. Income is determined by looking at the net income of both parents, which includes salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of income. The guidelines also take into account any other children from a previous relationship that the parents are responsible for supporting.

What Happens If A Parent Does Not Pay Child Support?

If a parent does not pay child support, the other parent can take legal action to enforce the child support judgment. Penalties for failure to pay child support can include wage garnishment, seizure of tax refunds, suspension of driver's licenses and professional licenses, and even jail time.