The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people in a number of ways. Layoffs and the permanent closure of certain businesses have received most of the attention, but there is another effect going on inside the homes of individuals that is not getting much attention. That is the fact that the pandemic has caused an increase in divorces, and it has left many people wondering why.

Financial Problems

Money has always been one of the main reasons couples get divorced, and that has been exacerbated during the current pandemic. Millions of people have lost their jobs and even when they are eligible for unemployment insurance, those benefits still only provide a fraction of incoming money couples are used to receiving on their paycheck. A loss or serious reduction of one or two incomes in the home can result in increased stress and more fighting, which can lead to divorce.

More Time

Whether people are sheltering in place or have nowhere to go because they have lost their job, there is no doubt that couples are spending more time together these days. All of that time together can result in increased fighting over small things that the same couple may not have fought over before the pandemic. When there are already problems in the marriage, the increased time spent together will only shine a light on those and make them worse.

Everyone knows that divorce is expensive. However, even after you have gone through the process and paid attorneys’ fees, court fees, and more, you will still have additional costs related to the end of your marriage. If you are going through a divorce, it is essential that you understand what these costs are, so you can prepare for them and prevent yourself from falling into financial difficulty. You may find that there are many hidden costs of divorce, but the five most common are found below.

Moving Expenses

After a divorce, one or both spouses will move out of the home and if you are planning to relocate, you must be prepared for those costs. You may have another down payment on a home, rent, and security deposits you must pay. Although these are the obvious costs of moving, there are others, as well.

Prepare to pay for movers, new furnishings for your new home, deposits for utilities, and even groceries to fill your new cupboards once you move in. All of these costs quickly add up, so it is important to itemize what you will need so you will understand just how much the move will cost you.

Good news: Yes, indeed you can get a divorce in DuPage County Illinois right now. The DuPage divorce courts are open for business. In fact, now might be a good time to get a divorce since there are fewer divorce cases being filed.

I’ve heard the DuPage divorce Court is Closed Due to the pandemic. What can I do to get a divorce now in DuPage County?

Here’s what’s going on: in DuPage County, the same number of Divorce Judges are now available to resolve Divorce cases as there were before the pandemic but fewer cases are being filed.

Recently, the biggest change in the divorce cases in DuPage County is that DuPage divorce Judges will conduct them remotely using “Zoom.”  Person to person, face-to-face trials are fast becoming obsolete, a thing of the past.

Although each judge may make the decision that a case should be conducted in person and safety policies have been put into place. In practice, so far, there have been very few face-to-face trials for a good reason, not just a pandemic, it is simply easier on the Judge as well as the divorcing couple.

Our law firm has been practicing divorce law for more than 30 years. Over that time we have seen a complete rewriting of the Illinois divorce laws, including doing away with grounds for divorce which used to be an excuse to have a separate trial just to see if the divorce was going to be granted and then the court would proceed to divide assets and assign debt. Likewise, guidelines now exist for child support, maintenance [alimony] as well as written laws as to how assets are to be divided and debts to be assigned. All of these things have been calculated to make the divorce process as streamlined and rapid as possible so it comes as no surprise that the courts will make use of Zoom and not to require in person trials.

Getting a divorce is stressful for anybody, and seems even more overwhelming during these uncertain times. But don’t let everything that is currently taking place in the world, discourage you from moving forward. The attorneys and staff at Martoccio & Martoccio will ensure your divorce is given the attention it deserves and someone that you can rely on. To schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys, call our office today at 630-920-8855.

All parents want to spend as much time as they can with their child, and that feeling continues even after divorce. In an effort to gain the most time possible though, parents often make mistakes that can actually hurt their child custody case and result in less time with their children. Below are some of the biggest mistakes made in these cases, as well as some tips on how to help you secure the most favorable outcome possible.

Parenting Less While Working More

Divorce is costly, and you may have many more expenses now or in the immediate future that you did not just a few months ago. Due to this, you may be tempted to put in more hours at work, but that is a mistake. The court wants to see that you are making an effort to be a large part of your child’s life and if you are working 60 hours a week, it could indicate that work is a bigger priority for you. This is not to say that you cannot work or even be extremely dedicated to your job. It only means that you should make a conscious effort to make plenty of time for your child, too.

Doing Only Fun Stuff

Parenting involves a lot of fun times and a lot of hard times, and it is important that you are there for all of them. If you are only interested in seeing your child when it is time to go to a baseball game or head out for ice cream, and you do not want to care for them when they are sick or get up in the middle of the night, it can hurt your child custody case. The court also wants to know that you are going to make any time with your child a priority, not just the fun times.

More and more people write prenuptial agreements every year, realizing that these documents will protect them in the event that the marriage ends. However, there is a lot that goes into a premarital agreement and if you make a mistake, it may not offer the protection you were counting on. Below are the most common mistakes people make when drafting a prenup, and how to avoid them.

Failing to Broach the Subject

You may feel as though talking about a prenuptial agreement is not romantic, but the truth is that a conversation can make both you and your partner feel more secure in the marriage. People fail to talk about their financial situation prior to their wedding far too often. When creating a prenuptial agreement, you must be fully open and honest with each other, which can eliminate arguments about finances that lead to divorce in the future.

Bringing up the subject of a prenuptial agreement does not have to be uncomfortable. Have the discussion as early as possible and emphasize that the agreement will protect both of you in the future, and prevent a lot of headaches, if necessary.