File For Divorce In Illinois

by Summers, Diana Brodman

• ISBN13: 9781572485105
• ISBN10: 1572485108
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc

Summary

The #1 Illinois divorce manual for more than ten years.

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books	ix
Introduction	xiii
Marriage and Divorce in Illinois	1	(10)
Marriage
Divorce
Psychological and Social Issues of Divorce
Counseling
Financial Aspect of Divorce
Annulments and Legal Separations	11	(8)
Annulment
Legal Separation
The Legal System	19	(10)
Research
County Circuit Courts
Ten Tips for Appearing in Court on a Divorce
Attorneys	29	(12)
Needing an Attorney
Finding an Attorney
Attorney Checklist
Understanding Costs
What to Bring to Your First Meeting with an Attorney
Checklist of Documents Needed for the First Meeting with an Attorney
Family Law Attorneys
Problems with Your Attorney
Protecting Yourself and Your Children	41	(6)
Domestic Violence
Child Abuse
Divorce Basics	47	(8)
Grounds
Contested
Uncontested
Collaborative Divorce
Divorce Mediation
Divorce Arbitration
The Divorce Process	55	(8)
Steps to Getting a Divorce
Summons
Petition
Appearance and Agreement
Response to Your Petition
Divorce Trial
Disclosure Statements
Simplified Divorce
Divorce Forms	63	(10)
In General---Circuit Courts
Forms on the Internet
Court Filing
Common Forms
Generic Forms
Checklists and Worksheets
Marital Property	73	(6)
Marital Property
Rules of Thumb on Marital Assets
Maintenance	79	(6)
Maintenance, Spousal Support, or Alimony
Terminating and Changing Maintenance
Settlement Agreement	85	(6)
Marital Settlement Agreements
How Courts View Marital Settlement Agreements
Other Agreements that will Affect a Divorce
Children and Divorce	91	(4)
Best Interest of the Child
Emotions
Children's Bill of Rights
Paternity
Child Custody	95	(14)
Custody Agreements
Factors Influencing Custody
Expected Custody Changes
Custody Laws
Types of Custody
Indiscretions of the Custodial Parent
Fathers and Child Custody
Custody Evaluations
Child Abduction
Counseling, Mediation, and Parenting Classes
Child Visitation	109	(8)
The Court's View
The Child's Wishes
Joint Parenting Agreements
Visitation Factors
Things to Consider when Drafting a Visitation Schedule
Visitation Schedules
Changing Schedules
Common Misconceptions
Child Support	117	(10)
How Child Support is Calculated
Factors Considered for Initial Support Order
Medical Insurance for the Children
Modification of Child Support
College Expenses
Support for Non-Minor Children
Enforcement of Child Support
Grandparents' Rights After Divorce	127	(10)
The Law Affecting Grandparent Visitation
Visitation
Custody
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
The Military Divorce	137	(6)
Selecting an Attorney
USFSPA
Survivor Benefit Plan Coverage
Other Financial Matters to be Considered	143	(8)
Insurance
Taxes
Estate Planning
Pensions
Social Security
Final Thoughts	151	(2)
Glossary	153	(16)
Appendix A: State of Illinois Judicial Circuit Courts	169	(16)
Appendix B: Illinois Statutes	185	(22)
Appendix C: Checklists and Worksheets	207	(10)
Appendix D: Generic Forms	217	(10)
Appendix E: Sample Agreements	227	(4)
Index	231