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Recent Blog Posts
How Is Paternity Established in Illinois?
Paternity is an important concept for Illinois residents to grasp, as it gives parents the right to seek custody rights. If paternity is not established, it can have significant implications for the parents as well as the child. If you have any questions about how paternity is addressed in Illinois, reach out to a Kane County, IL parentage lawyer for assistance.
At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we are well-versed in the laws surrounding parentage in Illinois, particularly the updated laws that went into effect in 2016. Moreover, our attorneys are not just knowledgeable, but practiced as well. Attorney Matt Shaw has over 30 years of legal experience, and across his career, he has appeared in multiple publications and seminars educating other lawyers about family law.
Three Ways of Establishing Paternity in Illinois
Paternity Presumed at Birth
What Business Owners Should Know About the Divorce Process
Divorce is already a stressful ordeal, but divorcing as a business owner can come with even higher stakes. With a business on the line, it is no stretch to suggest that your future livelihood could depend on your final divorce decree. To mitigate risk during asset division, consider seeking out a St. Charles, IL divorce lawyer.
At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we have years of experience handling divorces on behalf of our clients, including divorces involving private practices or family businesses. Our firm can inform you of your options throughout your case and protect your business interests.
Your Business Growth Could Be Considered a Marital Asset
If you started your business before the marriage, you might assume that it will not be divided during your divorce. However, the division of assets may be more nuanced than that.
Complications in Illinois Adoptions
Adopting a child is a wonderful thing, but it is by no means an easy process. During your adoption case, the child’s best interest will be the top concern, and you will likely have to participate in a home study. Certain factors could complicate or even jeopardize your ability to adopt a child into your home.
If you need legal counsel for an adoption case, consider working with the Kane County, IL adoption attorneys at Shaw Sanders, P.C.. Attorney Matt Shaw has over 30 years of experience handling sensitive family law issues on behalf of parents and other people in need. Our firm can advise you throughout your case and help to address obstacles in your adoption petition.
Will a Criminal Conviction Disqualify Me From Adoption?
Not all parents have a clean slate to work with. It can be frustrating to live with a black mark on your criminal record long after you have served your sentence, especially considering it can impact your adoption petition.
What Kinds of Financial Support Can I Receive in My Divorce?
Going from a shared household income to a single income in a divorce can be a hard adjustment. You may struggle to keep up with bills and regular payments that you would have relied on your spouse to help cover. However, you may have some avenues for recourse. A Kane County, IL divorce lawyer can advocate for a divorce settlement that protects your best interests.
At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we understand that your divorce may come with financial hardship. Attorney Matt Shaw is skilled in both mediation and litigation, and he can pursue the most cost-efficient resolution on your behalf. Whether you expect to go to trial or not, our firm will fight for your needs.
How Much Will I Receive in Marital Assets?
Every divorce presents differently, and different factors can affect how your property will be split up. If you signed a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, that will likely be enforced and is a good starting point for negotiations. Spouses are encouraged to negotiate their own financial settlements, and judges will typically ask spouses to attend mediation to resolve their differences. When this is not possible or not practical, the case can proceed to litigation, though this is increasingly unusual.
How to Get the Most Value out of Mediation in a Divorce
Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution that many people find preferable to litigation, and for good reason. In general, mediation tends to be much easier and less expensive than a prolonged courtroom battle. However, mediation only works when both parties are willing to work together. If you and your spouse have been ordered to attend mediation, or you have chosen to go voluntarily, a St. Charles, IL divorce attorney at Shaw Sanders, P.C. can help you prepare.
Attorney Matt Shaw is a certified mediator with years of experience helping clients reach amicable resolutions to family law issues. From the start of your case to the end, our firm can guide you through the mediation process to help you get the most out of it.
Approach Mediation in Good Faith
Even if you and your spouse ended your marriage on poor terms, you should try to remain civil during mediation. The reasons for keeping a civil attitude are entirely practical, and will serve you better in the long run.
What Can I Do to Collect Unpaid Child Support?
Child support is frequently ordered after a divorce to prevent undue hardship to the main custodial parent. It also ensures that the child’s basic needs are not adversely impacted by the divorce. Although child support orders are legally binding, some parents still refuse to pay. If you need help collecting child support payments, consider working with a Kane County, IL family law attorney.
Depending on your financial situation, your need for child support might be urgent. Our firm is prepared to take aggressive action to help you get the payment you deserve. We can pursue different enforcement actions to uphold the court order.
Wage Garnishment for Unpaid Child Support
If your ex refuses to pay child support, the courts can collect the missing payments directly. When you petition the court to garnish your co-parent’s wages, the court may collect the required payment directly from your co-parent’s paycheck. If necessary, the funds can be withdrawn from your co-parent’s wages, unemployment benefits, or workers’ compensation benefits. The court can even intercept a tax refund to collect what you are owed, plus interest.
Who Is Responsible for Paying Support After a Divorce?
Just because a divorce decree is finalized does not mean that the parties are free of responsibilities to each other. It is common for divorces to come with orders of financial support, usually in the form of alimony or child support. If you are currently going through a divorce, or you need help negotiating your obligations after a divorce, a St. Charles, IL family law attorney can help.
At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we have years of experience negotiating for our clients in divorce cases. Our firm can provide you with legal advice and representation for any issues regarding court-ordered support in your divorce.
Who Pays for Alimony?
In virtually every case, spousal support is paid by the higher-earning spouse to the lower-earning spouse. Depending on the circumstances of the divorce, alimony may only be a short-term arrangement, or it may last for multiple years.
Protecting Family-Owned Assets in Your Divorce
Property division tends to be one of the biggest points of contention for divorcing couples, and for good reason. Over the years, a married couple may accumulate a large amount of property with high worth, sentimental value, or both. When family-owned assets become involved, it can be difficult to untangle them as separate property. By enlisting the help of a St. Charles, IL divorce lawyer, you can take steps to protect your assets.
At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we know that the division of property can be incredibly meaningful in a divorce. When you work with our firm, we will strive to preserve assets that have been passed down or gifted to you by family.
Are Inheritances Excluded From Division?
It may comfort you to hear that inheritances are generally treated as separate property in Illinois. However, this does not mean that your inheritance is automatically safe from division. When separate property mixes together with marital property, the separate property becomes "commingled." This means that it is indistinguishable from shared property.
Common Misconceptions About Prenuptial Agreements
Many people have a rough idea of what a prenuptial agreement or "prenup" is, but not everyone is privy to how they work. This leads to misconceptions being perpetuated that turn people away from drafting or signing a marital agreement with their spouses. To the contrary, a prenuptial agreement is a powerful tool that can be used to protect your and your spouse’s best interests in the event of a divorce. By working with an Illinois family law attorney, you can create a sound prenup that satisfies everyone involved.
At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we understand that getting engaged is a massive commitment. We can help you and your spouse-to-be get important terms in writing to ease your worries.
Prenups Cannot Be Modified
Some people get anxious before signing a prenuptial agreement, believing it to be a decision that cannot be changed later. While a prenuptial agreement is legally binding, it can absolutely be modified after signing. One possible way of altering a prenup is to create a new prenup, which nullifies the old one. You could also consider signing an agreement after your wedding, known as a postnuptial agreement.
What Happens if My Ex Stops Following Our Parenting Agreement in Illinois?
When a parenting plan is approved by the court in a divorce or custody case, it becomes a legally binding order. So what happens when one parent stops following it? Ignoring scheduled parenting time, interfering with communication, or making major decisions are violations that can create significant stress for both the other parent and the children.
At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we guide parents through resolving these violations, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation when necessary. Call our St. Charles, IL family law attorney to learn more about how we can help you.
Is Violating a Parenting Plan Illegal in Illinois?
Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/600), parenting plans approved by the court are enforceable orders. Violations of following the plan include refusing to allow parenting time, regularly being late or skipping exchanges, failing to consult on major decisions like education or medical care as required by the parenting plan, and withholding important information about the child. As of June 2025, Illinois courts continue to take these violations seriously and have a range of options they use to enforce the terms of a parenting plan.
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