Chicago Legal Blog
Relocating as the co-parent of an Illinois child
Sharing custody of children with a former spouse can be an already challenging adventure. Having to move has a way of raising the stakes considerably. Illinois has recently updated relocation laws The laws about divorced parents relocating with a child were more...
Getting to know the basics of LGBTQ estate planning
Before the Supreme Court’s marriage equality decision, estate planning for LGBTQ couples involved issues quite different from those you might expect to find in AARP’s magazine. On the other hand, well before the June 2015 decision, AARP already did carry an article to...
The importance of second-parent adoption for same-sex couples
For many same-sex couples, the 2015 Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage was the first step in full recognition of their families. In 2016, a federal judge lifted a ban on adoption by same-sex couples in Mississippi. Same-sex couples are changing the...
LGBTQ couples find marriage equality means divorce equality
When the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledged marriage equality as the law of the land, surely most Americans understood that Obergefell v. Hodges would change LGBTQ breakups, too. But as one writer points out, only slowly did some come to appreciate the meaning of divorce...
New poll shows strong support for banning LGBTQ discrimination
A new Marquette poll shows there is a growing support for prohibiting employment discrimination against the LGBTQ community. This comes as the Supreme Court hears two cases regarding LGBTQ employment discrimination, in which their end decision could determine whether...
Illinois public schools to include LGBTQ history
As states throughout the country work to embrace diversity, Illinois just took the next step to promote inclusion within its schools. A new bill signed into law this past summer by Governor J.B. Pritzker requires schools to add LGBTQ teachings to their curriculum....
How to change the name and gender on your driver’s license
People who identify as transgender are able to change their birth name among friends and family, but it can be harder to change a birth name on official documents. If you are transgender, you may be uncomfortable with using your driver’s license to identify yourself....
My spouse and I filed for divorce. How will custody be decided?
Going through a divorce is stressful enough on its own. When you and your spouse also have children together, your stress level may rise exponentially. You might be constantly worrying about their well-being and how they are holding up mentally. Additionally, you...
Signs of abuse in a marriage
It can be a real challenge to recognize if a significant other is an abuser. The part of you that loves them does everything it can to find a reason to excuse their behavior. You may even blame yourself for what they are doing to you. It can be difficult to reach out...
How can financial disagreements lead to divorce?
When you marry someone, you share your lives together. This includes sharing your finances and making financial decisions together. But if you disagree on how to manage your finances, you can cause stress in your marriage. Stress over money can often be a major factor...
