Life after Divorce

 Posted on January 31, 2014 in Divorce

The divorce rate in the United States is growing, and with it, the need to know how to get your life back together after going through the stressful process. While it may seem an ominous feat at the time, getting back on your feet after divorce can be made very simple by following a few simple steps.

To get started, you must face reality: your marriage has ended and it is time for you to start a life for yourself. Complete all of the necessary paperwork quickly so as to finalize the process as soon as possible. Facing reality is the most important step when getting back on your feet. Don’t waste time doubting yourself either. Ask yourself if you were only hanging on to your marriage out of fear. Questions like these can make you face the truth and have an easier time coming to terms with reality.

The next step you must take is a practical one: make a budget. Assess your financial situation and take a look at your resources to see what your potential options are in terms of housing, job, and finances. Making a budget is much easier on your own, without having to worry about the expenses or income of your spouse. A budget will help define your new, and improved, lifestyle.

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Emotional Abuse as Grounds for Illinois Fault Divorce: Taking it One Step at A Time

 Posted on January 27, 2014 in Divorce

Domestic violence often leaves evidence of physical trauma, but yet another form of abuse can cut even deeper. If left unchecked, long-term emotional abuse can lead to feelings of diminished self-worth and loss of independence for the victimized spouse. By achieving these results, the abusive spouse exercises abnormal control.The cycle begins with a simple criticism and then builds. Often the abuser will break the cycle with what appears to be a sincere apology, but both partners soon find themselves caught up in the cycle of verbal abuse once again.

 Denial can also be an underlying factor of years of abuse. If you can truthfully answer yes to any of the following questions, you may have already taken the first step in breaking the cycle of abuse. Be honest, take a few minutes on each question, write down your answers as they pertain to your situation, you may be surprised at your answers.

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Right of First Refusal – What You Need to Know

 Posted on January 23, 2014 in Child Custody and Support

A change to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act may mean a big change in child-care options for divorced parents who share joint custody of their children. For some, this change in Illinois family law may mean a significant change in way they schedule their errand days or vacations.

According to Illinois HB 2992, next year parents who are in a joint-custody relationship must notify the other parent of their plans for a day or night out, and offer them the opportunity to care for the child temporarily before seeking third-party care from grandparents, babysitters, or daycare centers. This applies even if the other parent lives farther away than other relatives or babysitters, so long as the distance is not considered impractical. Additionally, should the co-parent choose to accept the additional parenting time, they must provide any necessary transportation, unless other arrangements are agreed upon.

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Attorney Warlick Awarded by Geneva Lions Club

 Posted on January 17, 2014 in In the News

Attorney Douglas B. Warlick, who is also immediate past president of the Geneva Lions Club was awarded a crystal pin Service Award by the Lions Club International for his “World of Service”.

The World of Service Awards recognize Lions who represent our world of service. Projects and activities that are submitted should exemplify the objects of the association.

Douglas also received a 2nd award on January 13, from the Lions of Illinois Foundation for his achievements in growing the Geneva Lions Club which added 11 new members during his reign as President of the Club.

For more information on Attorney Douglas, call The Law Offices of Douglas B. Warlick & Associates at 630-232-9700.

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What are the Different Types of Spousal Support?

 Posted on January 15, 2014 in Spousal Maintenance

Spousal support, also referred to as alimony or spousal maintenance, refers to a person’s right to financial support from his or her spouse after a divorce. This support can exist in the form of money or assets. If you and your spouse are going through a divorce and considering spousal support, it’s important to be familiar with the different types of maintenance so you can determine what will best fit your situation.

In some cases, the court may award permanent maintenance. This is sometimes awarded when the marriage was fairly lengthy or one spouse is unable to support themselves. Essentially, under this type of agreement, maintenance is received until one of the parties dies. However, the arrangement can still be altered and reviewed by the court for example, in the event that the recipient spouse gets remarried.

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Divorce and the Middle Child: Tips for Parents

 Posted on January 11, 2014 in Divorce

Divorce is change, plain and simple. As the family dynamic evolves, a child’s birth order can play a significant role on how a pending divorce is handled by both parent and child.

For families already dealing with a child experiencing Middle Child Syndrome, divorce may only complicate already existing issues.

Middle Child Syndrome, defined by Alfred Adler ,a Freudian-age theorist who believed that birth order strongly influences personality traits, remains a psychological topic today.

For these children, already living with mixed emotions about his/her position in the family, dealing with a pending divorce may heighten existing behaviors and emotions. To keep your child on an even keel perhaps understanding what makes the middle child tick and solidifying your support can alleviate any additional problems.

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The Adoption Option

 Posted on January 07, 2014 in Family Law

Adopting a child can be an extremely joyous time.  The thoughts of caring for a child and providing them a loving and permanent home are usually all the parents-to-be are considering.  One avenue for adoption is to utilize the Department of Children and Family Services (“DCFS”) to assist you in your search. Yet another avenue is to utilize an adoption agency or to even adopt from a parent who has signed a specific consent. Whichever avenue you choose, consider seeking the counsel of an experienced adoption attorney to guide you through the exciting yet often difficult process, and to ensure that your interests as well as the interests of the child are protected.

The Law Offices of Douglas B. Warlick & Associates can assist you in navigating 750 ILCS 50, more commonly known as the “Adoption Act,” which will help to ensure that your adoption goes smoothly and you face none of the pitfalls that occasionally arise when individuals attempt to adopt.  The Act can be very overwhelming, and the forms required to adopt are numerous and often voluminous, although a legal professional can help you along the way.

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Can Hardship Actually Make You Tougher?

 Posted on December 30, 2013 in Family Law

Can you recall that saying, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”? A new study suggests that there is a link between hardships a person has overcome and future strength. Researchers found that overcoming adversity and going through challenging experiences was linked with increased ability to enjoy happier moments in the future. If you’re considering divorce, it’s likely that you’re concerned about the emotional toll this event might take on you. Being able to move on with your life, however, may actually be better for you in the long run and allow you to live a happier life.

Psychology researchers at the University of British Columbia believe that coming to terms with difficult events, like divorce, can actually allow you to better appreciate “savored moments” in the future. In order to discover this, nearly 15,000 individuals from ages 15 to 90 were surveyed about their experiences in adverse situations. Participants also went through the process of tendency to savor special moments (such as a bubble bath). Those were overcome significant obstacles had a better ability to appreciate special moments in the future, leading researchers to conclude that there might be a silver lining towards going through struggle if it’s truly the best thing for you in the end.

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Study Links Relationship Doubts With Divorce Rates

 Posted on December 26, 2013 in Family Law

Is it possible that there’s a test that could help us better understand the connection between relationship doubts and divorce rates? According to research published in the journal Science, there’s more to relationship jitters than previously thought. Relationship doubts, especially when combined with other challenges within a relationship, can lead to separation and even divorce for couples down the road.

Scientists discovered that gut reactions experienced by people shortly after their wedding can provide a good prediction about whether the marriage would still be intact four years after saying “I do”. The study included 135 newlywed couples, all of whom reported that they were happily married. The goal of the test is to reach subconscious doubts about the relationship, since not many newlyweds would report unhappiness or concerns right away. Each individual was shown a picture of their spouse and asked to come up with a positive or negative key word associated with their spouse. Those individuals who were more positive about their relationship had no hesitations in answering the question, but those who waited a couple of seconds before responding were more likely to get divorced within the next four years.

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January is Divorce Month

 Posted on December 22, 2013 in Family Law

The New Year can be a good time to reconsider a bad relationship. According to Psychology Today, this is why January is often called divorce month—there are more divorces filed nationwide in January than in any other month. “Some couples who’ve been planning to break up choose to avoid disrupting their families during the holidays. Others may be hoping that their situation or their partner’s behaviors will change, and when nothing shifts, they opt for dissolution,” reports Psychology Today.

According to the Huffington Post, some divorce scholars have attempted to determine an exact “D-Day,” the day on which more divorces happen than any other reason. One consultant told the Huffington Post that while people begin looking for information well before the holidays, “they can’t do much until the attorney are back in the office. January 12–16 seems to be the magic week for filings.”

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