Every divorce has its complications, but some cases may require spouses to address complex financial issues and other concerns that may affect them and their children. In some cases, one spouse may have been primarily responsible for caring for the couple’s children and managing the household, and they may not currently work full-time. A stay-at-home parent may focus on family responsibilities, and the other parent may be primarily responsible for earning the income needed to cover family expenses. 

In these situations, the end of a marriage can bring significant changes and uncertainties. A couple will need to resolve a number of legal and financial concerns, while also making decisions about how they will share custody of their children. For both stay-at-home parents and spouses who work full-time, an attorney can provide guidance and legal representation to make sure their interests will be protected during the divorce process.

The Financial Impact of Divorce on Stay-at-Home Parents

Some of the most immediate concerns for stay-at-home parents facing divorce will be related to financial matters. Without their partner's income to rely on, a parent who does not work full-time may suddenly find themselves without a source of financial support. This can be especially daunting for a person who has been out of the workforce for an extended period. They may worry about whether they will need to return to work and how they can make sure their children’s ongoing needs will be met, and they may also be concerned about their ability to support themselves without recent work experience.

Child custody cases can be complex, and they will involve a variety of legal issues, financial concerns, and other factors. These issues will determine how parents will make decisions for their children, where children will live, and how parents will share the costs involved in providing for their children’s ongoing needs. If one parent wishes to relocate with their child to a new home in a different city or state, they will need to follow certain procedures, and modifications to child custody orders may be required. 

In Illinois, parental relocation laws have been established to address these situations. Courts will take steps to protect the best interests of the child while also considering the rights of both parents. If you are planning to move with your child, or if your ex has informed you of their plans to relocate, it is important to understand what procedures will be followed and how you can address requests to modify child custody. An experienced attorney can provide guidance on how to protect your parental rights and resolve any disputes that may arise regarding parental relocation.

When Is a Move Considered Parental Relocation?

A parent will generally be allowed to move short distances, and no approvals or modifications may be required if they will be living in a new home within the same general geographic area. However, moves beyond a certain distance are considered to be relocations that will require court approval. Under Illinois law, the following types of moves are considered to be parental relocation:

The process of divorce can be complex, especially for spouses who need to determine how to divide assets such as family businesses. One important aspect to consider during a divorce is the valuation of any businesses owned by either spouse. For business owners and their spouses, determining the value of business assets is a crucial aspect of ensuring an equitable distribution of marital assets. When addressing issues related to business valuation and division, an attorney who has experience handling these concerns can be an invaluable resource, and they can advocate for a fair division of marital property.

What Is a Business Valuation?

A business valuation is an assessment conducted by financial experts to determine the fair market value of a company. This valuation provides an accurate picture of how much the business is worth. A comprehensive valuation of business assets can play a significant role in property division negotiations during divorce proceedings.

Why Is Business Valuation Necessary in Divorce Cases?

Determining the value of a business during divorce can help ensure that each spouse will receive their fair share of marital assets. Without a proper valuation, both spouses may not understand the actual monetary value of business assets. A review of a business’s financial information may also uncover discrepancies, and it can ensure that a spouse cannot use a business to hide assets or unfairly influence the property division process.

The divorce process can be hard on both parents and children. However, once a couple’s marriage has been officially dissolved, the parents will still need to be able to work together to raise their children. Co-parenting after divorce requires effective communication, cooperation, and compromise. While it may not always be easy, there are several steps parents can take to navigate the co-parenting journey successfully. By working with an attorney to resolve child custody issues during the divorce process, a parent can make sure they will be prepared for success in the future.

1. Create a Detailed Parenting Plan

One of the first steps in successful co-parenting is making sure the parenting plan established during the divorce process puts the proper rules in place. This plan should outline each parent's responsibilities and expectations regarding custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, decision-making authority, and other important aspects of raising children. A well-thought-out parenting plan can provide clarity and help minimize conflicts.

2. Prioritize Open Communication

Good communication is key to successful co-parenting. Both parents should commit to keeping each other informed about important matters concerning their children's health, education, extracurricular activities, and any changes in schedules or plans. Multiple forms of communication may be used as needed, such as phone calls, emails, or text messages. If necessary, a parenting plan can detail rules for when and how communication will occur, which can help minimize conflict and ensure that parents focus on providing for their children’s best interests.

For parents, many of the most important issues to resolve during the divorce process will be related to child custody. In Illinois, the court's top concern when making decisions about child custody is the best interests of the child. That is, the court’s rulings about how parents will make decisions for their children and the schedules for when children will spend parenting time with each parent will be based on what the court believes are the best ways to promote the children’s well-being and development. There are a number of factors that will be considered in these cases. Parents who are working to resolve child custody issues can get legal help from an attorney who can advise them on the best ways to show that they can provide for their children’s best interests.

Factors That May Affect Children’s Best Interests

Illinois law lists a large number of factors that may be evaluated by family court judges in child custody cases. These include:

1. The wishes of both parents: The court will consider each parent's desires about how child custody issues should be handled. However, if the wishes of parents are not related to what is in the best interest of their child, these wishes may be disregarded.

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