The amount of child support that you pay in Illinois is tied to your income. Many people ask whether their child support will automatically go up as their income rises. The answer to that question is that a raise does not always mean that you will pay more, but it could potentially lead to higher child support payments. Everything depends on the circumstances of your own situation and a DuPage County child support attorney can help.

A Non-Paying Parent Must Seek a Modification

Generally, the paying parent is not required to notify the other parent of a raise in income unless a divorce or child support agreement requires it. In order for payments to increase, the parent who is not paying child support must ask the court to raise child support by filing a motion to modify the child support order. 

Alternatively, the non-paying parent is allowed to have a review for a modification every three years. There is never a guarantee that a petition for modification will be approved; the law requires there to be a “significant change” in the non-custodial parent’s income, or a significant change in the child’s needs. Not every single raise will be considered significant. The parent paying child support does not have to do anything until and unless the child support order is modified by a judge. 

When you meet the person you truly love and decide to settle down with forever, you basically look forward to spending the rest of your lives together. Unfortunately, some marriages aren’t meant to last. This explains why couples sign prenuptial agreements before tying the knot.

Should the marriage end in divorce, the prenup would separate marital property from personal property. To achieve its intended purpose, however, your prenup must be valid. So, what can invalidate a seemingly authentic prenup?

Here are common reasons why your prenup may not survive a legal challenge:

The majority of divorcing spouses are going to be honest when declaring their assets. Both spouses have an obligation to do this completely and truthfully.

If you suspect your spouse might not be, it’s worth understanding where people tend to hide assets. Let’s look at some of the most common places.

Around the house

Yes, people do still hide money under the floorboards or in a hole in the garden. Others prefer a safe in the garage. They may even do it in full visibility by buying things and lying about their value to you – for instance, a painting or an antique.

From small, home-based businesses to multi-million-dollar enterprises, family-owned businesses play a huge part in growing the U.S. economy. In fact, it is estimated that there are well over 24 million family-owned businesses in the United States. If your marriage is over and you are considering a divorce, however, one of the questions you will certainly grapple with is what will become of the family business once you go your separate ways.

One of the factors that determine the fate of the family business during divorce is each spouse’s contribution and role in the business. Here are a couple of possible outcomes:

Buying out your ex

Just like with the family home, you may buy out your spouse and retain 100 percent ownership of the business. For instance, say you are running a dental clinic where you are a trained dentist while your spouse is the administrator. In this case, you may buy out your spouse (now ex) so you can retain full ownership of the business and outsource the administrative role.

Divorce is a complex and emotional decision that can significantly impact the lives of everyone involved, especially children. As a parent, you may ponder whether to postpone your divorce until the kids are adults.

It’s a valid inquiry that requires careful consideration. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, understanding the potential consequences and considering individual circumstances can help you make an informed decision that prioritizes the best interests of your children.

Consider offering the kids a stable childhood

Postponing divorce until your children reach adulthood can give them stability and continuity during their formative years. Maintaining a united front helps create an environment where children can grow and develop without the added stressors of divorce. Stability can play a crucial role in their overall well-being and academic success.