There were over 2 million marriages across the United States in 2016. There were also over 800,000 divorces in 2016. Divorces happen all across the country for a variety of different reasons. Each couple has their own issues, which may lead to one person feeling the need to file for divorce. Overwhelmingly, the woman in the relationship is the one who files for divorce. In a study done by sociologist Michael Rosenfeld at Stanford University, it was found that 69% of divorces were initiated by women.

Reasons

Why would women be the first to file for divorce in so many cases? Some of the possible reasons are listed below:

In Illinois, both parents have a legal obligation to provide financial support for their child. All child-related legal matters are made in the child’s best interests. State law provides a calculator that accounts for many factors, such as parents’ income, when determining child support. Once a judge has issued a final child support order, permanent child support payments will begin. You may be wondering how long these child supports payments will continue. Generally, child support payments are required until the child turns 18. There are important exceptions to this rule, however, which may apply to your situation.

Who Pays Child Support?

Usually, the non-custodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent. The custodial parent is with whom the child primarily lives. The exact amount of these payments varies case by case, based on a number of factors. In some cases, the child support payments will need to change as major life circumstances change (the child develops extraordinary medical needs; a parent loses a job; etc.).

There are many stressful issues you may encounter during your divorce. One particularly issue that many divorcing spouses face is their financial future after the divorce is finalized. Dealing with the financial issues in a divorce, including property division, alimony, and child support, involves a complex area of the law. You may feel overwhelmed by your options and the entire process. If you are going through a divorce, or considering divorce, there is important information you need to know regarding property division and how this division will affect you.

What Is Marital Property?

Generally, marital property comprises the property and assets acquired during your marriage. Under Illinois law, it is does matter whose name this property is titled in. For example, your spouse may purchase a vehicle titled solely in his or her name. If acquired during the marriage, that vehicle would be considered marital property. What is and is not marital property is an important distinction during the divorce process because Illinois divorces are subject to equitable distribution.

If you are a parent facing divorce, you may be overwhelmed with the idea of breaking the news to your children. Divorce is scary in itself, but throwing kids into the mix can make it even more difficult. However, it is possible to reduce the stress sitting down and having “the divorce talk” with your kids if you prepare correctly and follow a few simple steps.

When preparing for your conversation, you and your spouse should sit down together and write out exactly what you will say. It is important for the two of you to agree on what you will and will not tell the kids, especially if you are unable to give the speech together. Planning things out will help you to avoid sending your children mixed messages and adding even more chaos to the situation.

When you are planning things out, be sure to also plan when and where the talk will happen. For example, you do not want to break the news to your children the evening before someone’s big soccer game or at a time when you have relatives visiting.