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Collaborative Divorce and Alimony: How Does It Work?

Posted by Erin Birt | Jul 15, 2020 | 0 Comments

Spousal support, also known as alimony or maintenance, is a legal obligation for one spouse to financially support the other after a divorce is final. In many litigious divorces, the issue of alimony is one of the primary roadblocks. The good news is that, like with all financial issues in a divorce, it may be possible to resolve the issue of spousal support through the collaborative divorce process.

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How Coronavirus Has Changed Divorce in DuPage County

Posted by Erin Birt | Jul 01, 2020 | 0 Comments

COVID-19 has changed many aspects of divorce in DuPage County. The pandemic has had an impact on custody, parenting time, domestic violence, court procedures, and the way that divorces are initiated and carried out. The effects of COVID-19 have also increased virtual services and new ways for matrimonial attorneys to serve their clients.

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COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE AND CHILD CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS WITHOUT THE COURTS

Posted by Erin Birt | Apr 14, 2020 | 0 Comments

Around the world, divorced and divorcing parents are finding themselves stuck. Courts are closed as their families are dealing with new pressures, such as agreeing on safety measures for children or managing custody schedules thrown into chaos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our firm is still operating at full efficient capacity and we invite you to learn more about how Collaborative Divorce with Birt Law can help you and your children today.

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How to Help Children of Divorce Struggling with the Shelter in Place Order

Posted by Erin Birt | Apr 06, 2020 | 0 Comments

To help a child struggling with the Shelter in Place Order throughout Illinois and in DuPage County, parents should follow their consistent parenting plan, compromise to put the child first, and use available resources to help the child engage with their parents and remain connected with others.

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Impact of Shelter in Place Order on Visitation and Parenting Time Exchanges in DuPage County and Beyond

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 23, 2020 | 0 Comments

Now that the Governor of Illinois has issued a Shelter in Place Order, what is the impact of the order on Visitation and Parenting Time exchanges in DuPage County and beyond? There are two emerging positions to consider how custody agreements are impacted by the Executive Order to Shelter in Place. Some feel the child stays with the parent currently in possession of the child when the Shelter in Place Order went into effect. Others feel that travel for the purpose of complying with a parenting time order is essential travel and thus parenting time and visitation exchanges shall still occur.

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Divorce in DuPage County During the Illinois Shelter in Place

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 20, 2020 | 0 Comments

Don't let the recent news and orders prevent you from seeking divorce and family law services to help you live a better family life for yourself and your children. During these challenging times, we recommend a shift away from the traditional ways to divorce and co-parent and toward utilizing the time-tested and proven-effective alternative dispute resolution options that Birt Law has been successfully practicing for over 15 years.

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COVID -19 Updates for DuPage County Divorce Cases

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 19, 2020 | 0 Comments

DuPage County Divorce Court Operating on Limited Basis The DuPage County Divorce Courthouse is currently operating under various restrictions and all civil matters, which include all DuPage County Divorce Cases and all DuPage County Parentage Cases, previously scheduled through April 17, 2020 ar...

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Law Firm Open During COVID-19 Closures

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 16, 2020 | 0 Comments

Coronavirus, COVID-19, is having a significant impact on all families and businesses, including law firms and the court system, and during these confusing times you should not have to worry about putting off your legal goals or worry about the progress of your family law or divorce case. Our firm remains open to assist you and to work toward resolving your case.

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Average Cost of DuPage County Divorce

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 20, 2020 | 0 Comments

According to the newly released 2018 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois ranks #13 for highest average cost for a divorce with or without children. Learn why divorce can be expensive and tips for controlling divorce related costs in DuPage County and throughout Illinois.

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DuPage County Divorce Tips for 2019 Holiday Visitation and Parenting Time

Posted by Erin Birt | Nov 18, 2019 | 0 Comments

With the winter months quickly approaching, clients are planning their 2019 Holiday Visitation Schedule and Parenting Time Schedules. We thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of our clients top DuPage County Divorce Tips for 2019 Holiday Visitation and Parenting Time.

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New Trends in DuPage County Uncontested Divorce Prove Up Hearings

Posted by Erin Birt | Nov 04, 2019 | 0 Comments

There are emerging new trends in the DuPage County Uncontested Divorce Prove Up Hearings that you must know to complete your divorce. Learn more about why it is important to have a DuPage County divorce attorney that is familiar with the Judge Assignments, the Judge's preferences, and the current local court rules.

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3 Signs Your DuPage County Divorce is Finally Over

Posted by Erin Birt | Sep 23, 2019 | 0 Comments

You might feel like your DuPage County Divorce will never end. You seem to have endless paperwork to complete, telephone conferences with your Divorce Lawyer, and emotional conversations with friends and family. You often wonder: When will my divorce be over? In this blog, we will summarize 3 signs that your DuPage County Divorce is finally over.

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Estimated Costs for a Child Custody Case in DuPage County

Posted by Erin Birt | May 21, 2019 | 0 Comments

If you are contemplating divorcing or asking for child support, you are likely thinking about the cost to hire a child support attorney, whether custody mediation is worth it, and how much are the estimated costs for a child custody case in DuPage County? There are many similar questions, and in ...

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Parental Alienation from a Child’s Perspective in Illinois

Posted by Erin Birt | Apr 15, 2019 | 0 Comments

Recently the DuPage County Bar Association's Family Law Committee focused on Parental Alienation from a Child's Perspective in Illinois which we will highlight in this post. In a previous post, I focused on the Illinois case law that further explains Parental Alienation and in this post I will hi...

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What Property Should You Seek in Your Illinois Divorce?

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 18, 2019 | 0 Comments

In Illinois, divorcing couples need to prepare emotionally and financially for both the divorce process and life after divorce. When preparing emotionally, you may speak with a friend, family member, or trusted counselor.  When preparing financially, your friend or family member might not be able...

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Hidden Assets During Your Illinois Divorce?

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 12, 2019 | 0 Comments

We have previously discussed how courts look at assets and how different methods of divorce disclose and find assets.  Do you know, however, that most couples don't even know what assets make up their total marital estate? So if you don't know what assets make up your marital estate, how do you k...

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What to Expect at a DuPage County Divorce Pretrial Conference

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 03, 2019 | 0 Comments

A contested DuPage County Divorce can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years or more in the court system.  In an earlier post, I highlighted Tips for Your Final Divorce Hearing, but what if you need help getting to your final divorce hearing?  By hiring DuPage County Divorce Attorney Erin Birt yo...

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What Can DuPage County Parents Expect At Their Supervised Visitation

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 20, 2019 | 0 Comments

Child custody exchanges between parents can be happy, peaceful, awkward, or downright horrible, depending on the relationship or issues between you and your ex-spouse. Family mediation might be needed in very difficult situations, but below are some general tips to make safe and stress free child...

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Tips For Your Final Divorce Hearing

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 12, 2019 | 0 Comments

Your divorce planning is done and your final divorce hearing, or Prove Up Hearing, has arrived.  This is when the divorcing parties formally request that the judge approve the terms of their settlement, enter a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage, and finalize the case. Below are some tips for y...

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Facts and Benefits of Collaborative Divorce

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 06, 2019 | 0 Comments

There's been little or no fighting. You're on relatively good terms with each other. You actually even like each other. It's just that you don't love each other any longer and divorce is the inevitable outcome. In situations like this–and even ones with more emotion–collaborative divorce planning...

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Parental Alienation – Case Law Update

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 05, 2019 | 0 Comments

In Illinois, parental alienation is the programming of a child by the alienating parent to believe that one parent is good and the other parent is bad with the goal that the child completely rejects the other parent. In 2012, I discussed the Illinois custody case, In re the Marriage of D.T.W., w...

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Getting a Divorce in Illinois in 2019?

Posted by Erin Birt | Jan 31, 2019 | 0 Comments

Are you considering getting a divorce in Illinois in 2019? The first month of 2019 is already over, Happy New Year! 2019 is off to a fast start so today I will provide easy tips to help you finish your Illinois divorce in 2019. In my previous post, When to Get a Divorce, I discussed divorce timin...

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Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos to Divorce

Posted by Erin Birt | Jan 09, 2019 | 0 Comments

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Mackenzie Bezos, have announced that they will divorce after 25 years of marriage.  They made the announcement on January 9, 2019, however, they revealed that their family and friends have known for some time that they planned to divorce.  Reportedly the ri...

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Mental Health Questions to Ask Your Illinois Divorce Attorney

Posted by Erin Birt | Nov 20, 2018 | 0 Comments

Serious mental illnesses such as depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia impact over half a million adult Illinois residents.  The need to address serious mental illnesses during a divorce is becoming more common and it is important to use an attorney that has experience and ex...

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Mental Health Diagnosis and Impact on Illinois Divorce Outcomes

Posted by Erin Birt | Nov 06, 2018 | 0 Comments

A significant mental health diagnosis or guardianship might result in procedural, emotional, and financial complications during an Illinois Divorce. In a previous post, Mental Health Questions to Ask Your Illinois Divorce Attorney, I discussed questions you need to immediately ask your divorce at...

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