The holiday season is upon us and, while it is going to be slightly different for many this year, there are some things that will not change for parents of divorce. The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected court-ordered child custody and visitation time. Even though dropping a child off at someone else’s house does come with unique concerns during this time, the fact is that child custody orders are legally binding, and parents must continue to comply with them.

With so much uncertainty in our world created by the COVID-19 health crisis, many Illinois residents have put their life plans on hold. For some people this includes filing for a divorce that they know is inevitable. Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons that people are waiting for the pandemic to end before filing for divorce and why waiting might not be necessary. We will also address some reasons why filing now might actually be to your advantage

If you are considering divorce, it is important to work with an Illinois divorce lawyer that can help you through the process. Many people find that they have to meet with a few divorce lawyers before finding the one that is right for their case.

A collaborative divorce is one in which each party agrees to come to an agreement outside of the courtroom. However, a collaborative divorce has some significant differences from mediation, another form of alternative dispute resolution. If you and your spouse are considering collaborative divorce, it is important to understand how the process works.

Spouses often know that their marriage is crumbling and that they are likely headed for divorce. When this is the case, you may wonder whether you should file for divorce first and if there are any advantages in doing so. The family courts will not take into consideration which spouse filed first when making decisions on child custody, property division, and more. However, there are some advantages you will gain if you are the first to file.

Frequently couples who are seeking a divorce try to make their own agreements. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it degenerates into argument after argument.

After a couple with children gets a divorce, one parent is often ordered to pay the other child support. Typically, a child support order remains in effect until the child is no longer considered a minor, but when a child attends college or university, that could change. Paying college expenses differs slightly from standard child support, and it is important that all parents understand what child support may entail if their child pursues post-secondary education.

Child support is often awarded in divorce cases and typically, payments are made by the non-custodial parent to the parent that won custody. Falling into arrears on a child support order means you have not paid the appropriate amount of support, and it is a very serious matter. Child support orders are court orders and as such, they are legally binding. If you have been ordered to pay child support, it is essential that you do your best to make payments on time so you can avoid the consequences that come with falling into arrears.

Many people think the hardest part of a premarital agreement is asking their partner to sign one. However, the most challenging part may be deciding what to include in the contract. It is usually wise to have an idea of what you want in the agreement even before asking your soon-to-be spouse to sign one. Knowing what you want in your contract can provide a way to start talking about it, and can also help you explain why you want one to your partner.