One of the most difficult issues for divorcing couples in Illinois is how to handle the debt that has been accumulated during the marriage. It is definitely not as simple as “handing it off” to one party or the other. This post will focus on Resolving Divorce Debt Issues Through Mediation. While...
Custody issues in divorce are no longer just about children. As shown in a recent web article, hostile and passionate battles are now often fought over placement and/or visitation rights for pets in many divorce cases. This is another situation where divorce mediation can find a solution that wor...
Divorcing and divorced couples with children have a little extra planning to do for the holiday season; namely, when and where those children will connect with each parent for holiday visitations. If not thought out well in advance, issues with visitation schedules can increase everyone's stress ...
Divorce is a decision that comes with its own set of challenges, not the least of which is how to pay for the services of a divorce attorney. Thankfully, there are legal firms in DuPage County–such as The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, PC–that offer flat fee options for family law services to help mak...
For couples who turn to mediation for resolving divorce issues in Illinois, it's essential to know whether or not the mediation agreement is enforceable as divorce settlement agreement. A common question is: is a Divorce Mediation Agreement Legally Binding? A recent Illinois Appellate Court case...
From online law companies to firms like the Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, PC, there are many ways to get legal services in DuPage County and Illinois as a whole. However, it can sometimes be difficult to know which option will provide the best results for your particular situation. Here are some impo...
When couples find it difficult to agree on the legal aspects of their separation or divorce because of ongoing conflict or emotional issues, divorce mediation is a proven way for both parties to come to terms on the issues that matter most to each of them. This post will focus on how Divorce Med...
Ask many divorced people about their experience of the process, and you'll likely hear that it was just too much–too much aggravation, too much time, too much money. Even uncontested divorce, where both parties have reached an agreement before going to court, can be time-consuming, expensive and ...
Beginning January 1, 2015, significant changes will take effect in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. For divorcing couples in Illinois, 2015 will bring standardized rules for determining the amount and length of court-ordered financial support payments (aka spousal maintenanc...
At some point, everyone needs the assistance of an experienced legal professional. This is especially true for couples experiencing separation or divorce and their attendant issues of child custody, property division and support payments. In these situations, it can be great to have a DuPage Cou...
Anyone who has gone through a divorce will agree that it's one of life's most challenging experiences, with lots of opportunity for conflict and contention. But rather than fighting, how would it be to actually talk out the issues and come to a compromise that all parties can accept? Believe it o...
A new Illinois law, concerning the first right of refusal for parenting time, will have an effect on parenting with a joint custody arrangement. Effective January 1, 2014, if the court awards joint custody, a parent who is unable to care for the child or children must offer parenting time to the...
Are you in couples therapy or marriage counseling? Has there been a determination that the marriage is broken? Are you looking for low cost divorce services to help your family? This post will focus on how our firm works collaboratively with families utilizing Couples Therapy, Marriage Counselin...
The November issue of the DCBA Brief is out. DuPage County Family Law Attorneys Erin Birt and Elizabeth Chacko co-authored the articleThe Changing Role of the Tender Years Doctrine: Gender Bias, Parenthood, and Illinois Law” in this months DCBA Brief. Click here to read the article on page 26. ...
During 2013 – 2014, Erin Birt will serve as the Vice -Chair of the DuPage County Bar Association's Child Advocacy Committee. The committee will organize and present on various topics such as child custody evaluations, juvenile criminal matters, juvenile probation matters, contested adoption matt...
We can learn divorce lessons from others. Below are links to divorce topics in the news and around the web for this week: PTSD After Divorce [Huffington Post] How do I pay debts after divorce? [Fox Business] When the Vows Break: Celebrity Divorce Lists Offer Opportunity to Learn from Marriage...
Yesterday, while sitting in divorce court, I observed a woman, representing herself, engaged in a hearing with a divorce attorney. She obviously researched her issue and came to court with her organized binder, however, she unfortunately did not understand the true legal issue before the court an...
Considering a divorce in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, or Will County? There are many Illinois divorce options to consider such as: Mediation, Collaborative Divorce, Cooperative Divorce, A La Carte Divorce, and a service unique to the Law Firm of Erin Birt, The Flat Fee Uncontested Div...
Do you plan to be divorced in Illinois by the New Year? At the time of this post, there are approximately 12 days until the New Year. If you and your spouse want to finalize your divorce in Illinois before January 1st, here are 12 things to consider when you want to Divorce by the New Year: ...
On December 18, 2012, DuPage County Divorce Attorney, Erin Birt, attended the DuPage County Bar Association's Family Law Committee Meeting. The topic “Assessing Abuse & Alienation in Domestic Violence and Custody Matters” was presented by David Finn, Psy. D., of Associates in Human Development C...
Wheaton Divorce Attorney, Erin Birt, often works with families that are struggling with the effects of divorce and/or substance abuse. Parents contemplating a divorce often express concern over how the divorce will effect their children. This post will focus on Divorce: Children & Alcohol. How a...
In Illinois and DuPage County, there are several ways to divorce and save money & time. For DuPage County Divorce 5 Ways to Divorce are presented below: 1. Pro se Divorce. Pro se means to act as your own attorney. Often when spouses are amicable enough to have productive communication, the es...
Illinois Divorce: 5 tips to save on time, money, and conflict during a divorce: 1. Be proactive. Identify and locate assets and debts. Gather at least 3 years of financial documents, including but not limited to check books, pay stubs, Federal and State Tax Returns, monthly statements for bank a...
A child friendly Illinois divorce option is one that minimizes the need for court involvement & litigation and utilizes child specialists when needed. Resolving family disputes privately and efficiently is the best option for families with children. The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, P.C. offers sev...
Interested in an Illinois Collaborative Divorce? Is your spouse? Wheaton Illinois Collaborative Divorce Lawyer, Erin Birt, recommends you talk with your spouse about the process. Therefore, this post will focus on Proposing an Illinois Collaborative Divorce to Spouse. Proposing an Illinois Col...
Birt Family Law is committed to keeping the separating family out of court and working together towards a peaceful resolution.
