Get free answers to your Family Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I am facing child support issues involving two jurisdictions for the same child. Both child support orders were issued at the same time. Missouri has emancipated the child, but Puerto Rico continues to collect child support payments. I am currently living in Illinois. How can I address this... View More 
answered on May 11, 2025
If you have a current child support order in Puerto Rico, you need a Puerto Rico lawyer.
They might just be taking arrearages.
I live in a condominium and have a neighbor who abuses marijuana, other drugs, and alcohol. He is aggressive and often hosts similar individuals on his patio, which is next to mine. This disturbance makes it difficult for me to open my windows or use my yard peacefully, and during winter, the smell... View More
answered on May 9, 2025
First of all, does the condominium Association impose any restriction on smoking by the residents? If it does, you need to address your concerns with the condominium Association. Many condominium associations have restrictions on nuisance smoke, particularly smoke resulting from the use of... View More
I'm 17 and want to know if my past experience of running away will affect my ability to get emancipated, and where I should go from here. I won't turn 18 until January, and I'm not sure if I can make it that long. I haven't taken any steps towards emancipation yet. I currently... View More
answered on May 1, 2025
Yes, it could. The issue is whether or not you are mature enough to manage on your own. If you have behaved in an immature manner, that can be taken into consideration.
I am involved in a child custody case, with a status conference scheduled for May 6th. I need a continuance because the father of my children, who has a lawyer, and the guardian ad litem seem to be teaming against me, and I'm currently representing myself as I cannot afford a lawyer. I require... View More
I have short-term guardianship of a 15-year-old child, signed voluntarily by her mother and notarized with a DCFS caseworker's witness. Her maternal grandparents are pressuring me to bring the child to them, but she wants nothing to do with them due to claims of mental abuse and her fear of... View More
answered on Apr 25, 2025
So the mother signed a guardianship document. What about the father? I am not sure if this document is valid.
Did she live at the grandparents' before you?
The police may help you get her belongings since you have guardianship.
If she is scared of the grandparents,... View More
On November 13, 2024, a DCFS worker visited my home, and after inspecting and speaking with my girlfriend, indicated the case would be unfounded. After relocating to a new house and having no further contact with DCFS, a group claiming to work with families under DCFS care arrived. They contacted... View More
I'm currently involved in a custody dispute where mediation is scheduled for two months from now, but there are no specific custody or visitation orders in place yet. The custodial mother, who has a history of DUI and child endangerment, has threatened to move our child out of state unless I... View More
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answered on Apr 25, 2025
Hello. Although there is mention of a DUI causing driving problems, your case should be directed to family loss/custody lawyers. This is not really a DUI question.
I live in Illinois and have filed for divorce from my wife, who is on disability. We have agreed to split all our assets equally, including real estate and retirement accounts. There are no prenuptial agreements. Will the fact that she is on disability affect the equal division of these assets?
answered on Apr 24, 2025
Perhaps. A number of issues affect the division of assets and maintenance. You might look at 750 ilcs 5/504 and 750 ilcs 5/503 for guidance.
I filed for divorce online with the circuit clerk and prepared the entry of appearance form for my spouse to sign. However, she refuses, claiming her lawyer doesn't recognize the form, and I suspect she is stalling since she might not actually have a lawyer. I have attempted to contact her... View More
There was an investigation through DCFS regarding issues with my kids' babysitter's living situation. Her family didn't want her, so we took her in, and her mother signed a notarized document granting short-term guardianship to me for up to 364 days. The document was witnessed by a... View More
answered on Apr 24, 2025
Yes, the mother can terminate the guardianship at any time since it is not a court order. I had another case where that happened recently and the mother chose to take the kids from her parents and give them to another relative. The judge allowed the children to stay at the new relatives'... View More
I filed for divorce through the circuit court website and printed out the entry of appearance form for my wife to sign. She is refusing to sign it, citing advice from her lawyer, who claims he has never heard of this form and advised her not to sign. There aren't any deadlines I am concerned... View More
answered on Apr 24, 2025
Yes, you need to have her served. Then her 30 days will start to run. Every lawyer knows what an Entry of Appearance is. I question whether she even talked to one.
I've been preparing for an upcoming hearing as a pro se litigant in a family law case. I had legal representation until my Order of Protection was obtained, but I am not considering a lawyer at this time. The hearing is this Monday, following a petition for the allocation of parental rights... View More
answered on Apr 18, 2025
I am not sure what you are fighting over in your family law case. Rarely can one prove that something is a lie unless the other party admits it. If it's just you against the world fighting you are not likely to win. You should seek legal counsel.
In Illinois, can my ex-spouse request a drastic modification in parenting time, changing from every other weekend to joint custody, solely through a closing argument brief in trial court? We have a temporary agreed parenting plan that has been in place for approximately one year and is working... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Illinois, modifying parenting time requires filing a formal motion with the court; it cannot be accomplished solely through a closing argument in a trial. The court will assess any proposed changes based on the child's best interests, considering factors such as each parent's wishes,... View More
I am not married to the father of my children, and we own a house together with a joint mortgage. He recently quit his job and cashed out his 401k. We all still live in the house, and I pay for my portion of the mortgage. There is currently no legal agreement for child support, but he refuses to... View More
answered on Apr 12, 2025
You should hire a lawyer immediately if any of his 401k is left to have it held for child support AND if you intend to separate from him. Generally, if you are living together it is perceived that you are accepting his quitting his job and you will not get a child support order. He can not avoid... View More
I have been placed on the state record for child neglect by DCFS due to an incident involving my oldest child’s mother. During a custody exchange, a confrontation occurred when I lowered her phone as she tried to record my fiancé. My ex started hitting me, pulling my hair, and scratching me. I... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
To challenge the child neglect record in Illinois, you’ll want to first gather all evidence that supports your version of events. This includes any discrepancies between witness statements, police reports, and court testimony. If you believe the officer's statement was inaccurate, try to get... View More
I was never married to the father of my children, and we are no longer together. We have a legal agreement for a shared mortgage, and I cover the kids under my insurance. I primarily take care of our children, and the father just quit his job last week. I'm wondering if I can still pursue... View More
answered on Apr 10, 2025
Yes, you can. You may get a judge to order him to look for a job if he is not already doing so.
I want to move out of state with my child. There is no legal custody agreement or court order in place. My child regularly sees his father, and I have a plan to ensure he continues to see him after the move. I plan to notify the father a few weeks in advance. Will this be legally permissible since... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Even though there is no legal custody agreement or court order in place, moving out of state with your child without the other parent’s consent can still lead to legal complications. In most cases, a custodial parent needs either the consent of the other parent or a court order if they plan to... View More
I have a child custody case where my child's father committed interference with custody. After three years of not seeing my child, his aunt returned my son to me. The father then accused me in court of taking our child, and now we are involved in a court case. A guardian ad litem has been... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
A 1401 motion in Illinois refers to a petition filed under **Section 2-1401 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure**. It’s used to ask the court to reconsider or undo a final judgment or order, typically based on new evidence, fraud, or some kind of mistake that happened during the original... View More
He's forced me down on him my wrist was sprained hes left dark purple bruises on my son from spanking him very hard and smacked his face to where he was so scared of his father and keeps telling me he doesnt want to go he tells me he is scared of his father at age 3 a child is scared of his... View More
answered on Apr 4, 2025
Call SWAN. It is a shelter for women and children in Olney. Open 24 hours. 618-392-3556. They can provide shelter, food and clothing, help with an Order of Protection, counseling for women and children. They will help you find a job, get transportation, do a resume, work with the police, take... View More
My son's father tells lies in court, such as claiming he is employed at Casey's when he lost his job three to four months before our last court date on August 14, 2024. Despite having primary custody, he promised not to take my son away but did. He has weekly visitation rights for four... View More
answered on Apr 4, 2025
Call the police and DCFS for child abuse. Take pictures of bruises. Get a birth to 3 evaluation to get him extra help for speaking.
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