In Illinois and throughout the country, same-sex couples now have the right to marry, and with that comes the right to adopt or raise a child together. However, this also means that should these couples choose to separate or divorce, they can face complex child custody disputes.

If you are an LGBT parent facing a child custody dispute, it is important to understand your rights under the law. In Illinois, parents have equal rights when it comes to making decisions about their children's upbringing—regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This blog post will explain the legal framework surrounding child custody disputes involving LGBT parents in the state of Illinois.

Unmarried Parents May Not Have Parental Rights

Parentage, formerly called “paternity,” refers to the legal child-parent relationship. A woman who gives birth to a child is that child’s legal parent. Her spouse is also the legal parent of the child. If the parents divorce, both parents have a right to parenting time and parental responsibilities.

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Domestic violence touches the lives of people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and lifestyles. It can take many forms, including physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, financial control, and sexual abuse. Many people who are caught up in abusive relationships live lives filled with fear, anger, and confusion. They desperately wish to get out of the relationship, but they worry about the consequences of doing so.

If you are in an abusive relationship, know that you are not alone and that there is help available. It is important to remember that leaving an abusive partner can be dangerous, as abusers may become more violent when they feel threatened. With safety in mind, here are some tips for taking the first steps to leaving an abusive relationship.

Protecting Yourself When Leaving an Abusive Partner

Many people stay in abusive relationships for months, years, or even decades because they fear retaliation or simply do not know how to protect themselves when leaving the relationship. If you are ready to take back your life and leave a violent situation, consider the following:

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A divorce is a stressful process, and it is even more difficult if one spouse is hiding assets or lying about their finances. Divorcing spouses are required to provide an accurate account of their income and assets during a divorce. This information is used to determine child support, divide property and debts, and more. However, some spouses lie about money or hide assets during divorce.

It can be difficult to tell whether your spouse is being truthful during the divorce process, but there are a few signs that could indicate financial dishonesty. Knowing these signs can help you protect your rights and make sure you get the outcome you deserve.

Missing Documents or Bank Statements

If you have begun proceedings for a divorce in Illinois, it is important to keep an eye out for any missing documents or bank statements. If documents go missing or if your spouse stops providing you with financial information, this could be a sign that they are trying to hide something from you. Check with tax records and financial institutions to make sure all documents are accounted for.

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The term "high-conflict divorce" may seem redundant. Afterall, every divorce involves conflict. However, some divorce cases are much more acrimonious than others. When divorcing spouses are unable to move past their anger, frustration and hurt feelings, the divorce process can become a bitter battle. If you are involved in a continuous separation or divorce, you know this firsthand. Here are some tips that may help you navigate a high-conflict divorce and ensure that your rights are protected.

Navigating a Contentious Divorce and Protecting Your Rights

There is no way to completely avoid the stress that comes with a high-conflict divorce. However, there are ways you can manage the conflict and pursue a favorable divorce outcome - even in the midst of extreme dissent.

• Hire the Right Attorney - When you are facing a contentious or difficult divorce, having an experienced lawyer who understands the law and knows how to navigate through the court system is crucial. Make sure you choose an attorney who is familiar with the common strategies used in high-conflict cases and will aggressively represent your interests.

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When a spouse starts exploring the possibility of divorce, he or she is often met with confusing legal jargon and complex divorce laws. It can be hard to interpret dense legal information in preparation for a divorce. One issue that causes an especially high degree of confusion is property division. Divorcing spouses are often unsure of what is theirs and what is their spouse’s property. They are unsure of what they will keep after the split and worry about what they will be forced to give up during the divorce. This blog will provide a general outline of equitable division in an Illinois divorce.

Who Owns What?

Non-marital property is property that belongs to one of the spouses while marital property is jointly owned by both spouses. Property that a spouse purchases or otherwise acquires before getting married is non-marital property. Money and property that a spouse acquires during the marriage is marital property.

How Do Divorcing Spouses Divide Property?  

Divorcing spouses will need to divide marital property during the divorce process. For couples with relatively few assets, this is fairly straightforward. However, property division can become a complicated and contentious issue for some.

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