Family Law Attorneys in Rolling Meadows

Family Law Attorneys in Rolling Meadows

A generation ago, most children grew up in “traditional” homes. They lived with a married mother and father, who had never been married to anyone else, and their pure biological siblings. Today, most children live in “nontraditional” homes. These households include single-parent households, step-parents and/or step-siblings, grandparent-headed households, and adopting families. These families must often overcome some additional hurdles, both emotionally and financially.

The dedicated Rolling Meadows family law attorneys at Andrea Heckman Law help these families overcome these hurdles and thrive emotionally, financially, and otherwise. We are exclusively focused on family law. So, we know how to find long-lasting and cost-effective solutions that benefit your family, now and in the future. We are also dedicated to values like hard work and open communication. Therefore, we are a trusted partner as opposed to just a law firm.

Paternity

Birth timing has changed significantly as well. A generation ago, out-of-wedlock births were quietly stigmatized. Today, these happy episodes are common. In fact, among many socioeconomic groups, out-of-wedlock births are more common than wedlock births.

Paternity actions have significant benefits for mothers and fathers. It doesn’t matter if the child is a newborn, a teenager, or somewhere in between.

These orders usually include child support requirements and expense reimbursement requirements, such as hospital bill payment. So, mothers and their children benefit financially. The family benefits emotionally as well. Frequently, paternity actions prompt biological fathers to act more like dads.

Financially, paternity orders usually include payment portals for fathers. So, there is no question about child support or financial support receipt. Paternity orders benefit fathers emotionally as well. The order often includes a clear and enforceable parenting time division. Additionally, legal fathers have other rights, such as the right to attend school functions.

Children benefit as well. Whether they admit it or not, children need stability and predictability. A paternity order provides these things.

Divorce

The marriage dissolution rate has declined recently. But it is still twice as high as it was a generation ago. The divorce rate for subsequent marriages is even higher. In other words, directly or indirectly, divorce will probably touch your family sooner or later. These matters resolve complex issues like:

• Legal Marriage Dissolution: In some states, divorce only addresses some issues. But in Illinois, divorce fully dissolves a marriage. Furthermore, Illinois is a no-fault state. Therefore, spouses may obtain divorces based on irreconcilable differences and there is no need for them to air their “dirty laundry” publicly.
• Parenting Time: Recently, Illinois lawmakers approved a co-parenting law. This law presumes that children benefit from frequent and meaningful contact with both parents. Therefore, in many cases, the parenting time division is much closer to 50-50 than it used to be.
• Financial Issues: Statutory formulas usually determine the amount of child support payments in the Prairie State, as well as the amount and duration of spousal support payments, if applicable. The marital estate, which includes both debts and assets, must be divided equitably. That’s usually, but not always, the same thing as “equally.”

Family support obligations and the parenting time division may be modified later, as your family’s circumstances change.

Adoptions

Agency adoptions, private adoptions, and step-parent adoptions are all options in Illinois. A Rolling Meadows family law attorney is an important partner in all these matters.

Usually, adoption agencies handle most of the work in agency adoptions. A private attorney gives adopting families an important voice in this process. As for private adoptions, a number of state laws impose strict rules in this area. Any infraction could later invalidate the private adoption.

Step-parent adoptions are expedited in Illinois. Usually, judges waive the social services investigation requirement in these matters. Basically, the adopting step-parent replaces one of the child’s biological parents, at least for legal purposes.

Rely On a Dedicated Cook County Attorney

Various legal solutions are available for your changing family. For a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney in Rolling Meadows, contact Andrea Heckman Law, Ltd. Convenient payment plans are available.