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...
The affordable divorce services provided by The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt P.C. focus on Integrity. Integrity is an adherence to moral and ethical principles and honesty. Unfortunately such words and phrases are not commonly associated today with attorneys or divorce law firms. The Law Firm of Er...
Illinois Collaborative Divorce is Growing! On June 9, 2012, Wheaton Illinois Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Erin Birt, represented the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois (“CLII”) at the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (“AFCC”) Convention at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. Ms. B...
Illinois Collaborative Divorce is an appropriate legal method for approximately 98% of Illinois divorces or Illinois divorce related cases. Why? Approximately 98% of Illinois divorce or Illinois divorce related cases settle. If approximately 98% of cases settle, why do most Illinois divorce at...
This post will focus on the DuPage Collaborative Divorce: The Participation Agreement. DuPage collaborative divorce begins with a participation agreement. The participation agreement in collaborative divorce is a contract between the parties that generally includes the following topics and infor...
The collaborative divorce process in DuPage County begins when both parties want a collaborative divorce and have formally retained collaborative divorce lawyers. The cost of a collaborative divorce depends on the parties and the issues, however it is usually less expensive than a divorce trial. ...
As a divorce lawyer in Illinois, practicing from DuPage County, a common question is: “How is property divided?” The answer, however, should also incorporate the answer to, “How is property classified?” Therefore, this post will focus on Illinois Divorce: Property Division Case Law Update. A rec...
In Illinois, cameras may soon make their appearance in Circuit Court courtrooms. Cameras would not be permitted in cases involving juveniles, adoptions, and custody cases. What about divorce cases that do not involve children? More information is needed about the pilot program. This post will...
In an Illinois divorce case, hiding assets or failing to disclose assets during a divorce is costly. It may affect the classification and distribution of assets and it may be cause for a court to sanction a party. This post will focus on Illinois Divorce: Case Law Update. A recent Illinois A...
The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, P.C. accepts family law clients (adoption, mediation, divorce, collaborative divorce, general family law, child support, paternity, etc.) from Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, and Will County. Understanding that it is often difficult to write...
Individuals going through a divorce or separation during the holidays can find it difficult to cope with the added stress. This time of year is especially difficult as the holiday season is a day to day reminder of happier times or feelings of loneliness. Just because a family is in transitio...
Families in a Cook County Divorce or Cook County Paternity case may be assigned a parent coordinator. While a parent coordinator is often utilized in Cook County, it is not as frequently utilized in DuPage County Divorce or Paternity cases. This post will focus on Cook County Family Law: Paren...
Social media, such as Facebook, and other internet communication is changing the landscape of divorce settlement negotiations and divorce trials. Domestic Relations courts generally accept emails, text messages, online pictures, and Facebook posts as relevant evidence. And as businesses are g...
In Illinois, a civil union is a legal relationship that provides the couple with substantially the same obligations, protections, and benefits given to married couples. A civil union, however, is not a marriage. At one time, Illinois recognized marriage as only between a man and a woman. Not lo...
Case law provides guidance for appropriate negotiating, the preparation of settlement agreements, and if necessary, trial preparation. The following updates provide information about property classification, child support and expenses, and maintenance. Thus this post will focus on Case Law Upd...
Contribution to college expenses of children can be determined before a divorce is finalized or, in certain circumstances, after a divorce is finalized. A new case highlights some ‘timing' and ‘wording' issues for parties and family law attorneys dealing with college expenses. This post will foc...
Hurtful statements can derail and/or prolong mediation and the collaborative process. It is a common occurrence which must be addressed immediately in order to stay focused on the main goal of resolving a legal issue. This post will focus on whether to Respond to Hurtful Statements in Divorce? ...
Motivational interviewing (“MI”) is an approach used in counseling. It is a client centered method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. The relationship between counselor and patient is more like a partnership. It is non confrontational; it is ...
People get heated about finances. They become especially angry about child support and any delay in the payment of child support. Such feelings are understandable. The anger and strong emotions felt during the stressful time when no support is being paid causes many people to run to the cour...
The holidays are over. While the holiday season is one of joy, anticipation, excitement, etc., it is also a time of stress for some. Many people take time during the holidays to analyze what they want in life and how they are going to alleviate stress and change. Many people come to the conc...
So it has happened. Someone has said the marriage or relationship is over. It might not even be that clear. Someone said something that alluded to the end of the relationship, and now you're left wondering what happened and playing the events over and over in your head, with your family, with...
Earlier we reviewed the stages of a divorce, and once the divorce is underway, the relationship too will also have stages, stages of transformation. This post will focus on the Stages of the Relationship Post Separation. Yuval Berger MSW, RSW presented at the Advanced Collaborative Skills Trai...
Similar to the grieving process, there are emotional stages that a person will go through upon learning that their marriage is over. This post will focus on the Emotional Stages of Divorce. The team members of your divorce can help you as you work through the following stages: Shock and disbe...
In the world of divorce professionals, language such as pre-decree and post-decree is used. This can confuse clients and potential clients. This post will focus on What does pre- and post-decree mean? What does pre- and post-decree mean? Pre-Decree: Pre-decree includes anything that occurs pri...
What should you do if you realize that your spouse or ex-spouse is abusing or addicted to alcohol or drugs? Options for a family in transition are collaborative practices or traditional litigation when substance addiction or abuse is an issue for a family. This post will focus on Divorce and Ad...
Birt Family Law is committed to keeping the separating family out of court and working together towards a positive resolution.
