The Impact of Social Media on Divorce Proceedings.

With the holiday season upon us, it is important to revisit the slippery slope of how Facebook and Twitter have become key components in many divorce cases.  We accept that Facebook, for example, has become something many rely upon for near-daily communication as well as entertainment.  However, it also poses a unique challenge as it pertains to divorce and child custody issues.  It is extremely important to choose carefully what you decide to post if you are going through such proceedings.

Know that any party or friend of that party who is involved in a divorce will look at the social media posts of their former spouse.  NEVER post false or derogatory comments about your former or soon-to-be-former spouse online.  Resist the urge to check in at places like the local bar.  Change your social media passwords.  Refrain from posting any videos or photos that you suspect may be used against you.  Among other things, review what your friends are posting about you and ask them to remove any damaging photos.  How you feel and act toward the other parent is a “factor” a judge considers in awarding or taking-away custody!

There is much more to understand about the power of social media upon the eventual resolution of your divorce case.  For more in depth information pertaining to your specific case, contact Illinois Divorce Attorney Vincent Ruggiero at 630/654-0044.  He will provide assistance with your divorce matters in DuPage, Will, Kane, and Cook Counties.

Chicago's annual Thanksgiving Parade takes over State Street

Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 8am

 

Changes in Illinois Alimony Law.

August 15, 2014 was an important day in the history of Illinois spousal support law. On that day, Governor Quinn signed into law new spousal maintenance rules that dramatically change how maintenance (formerly known as alimony) is determined in the Land of Lincoln.

The new law changes the determination of maintenance and becomes more or less a mathematical formula. A formulaic approach has been used for years in determining child support, but not for determining maintenance.  You may have a myriad of questions concerning the relatively new law, both positive and negative.

Up until the beginning of 2015, a judge hearing a divorce case has determined whether a spouse is entitled to maintenance based on the statutory factors detailed in Section 504(a) of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.  Those factors include both incomes; the property that both parties have in their possession; the needs of both parties; the ability of both parties to earn a living, both now and in the future; the length of the union; the current health of both parties; and the standard of living established during the marriage.

As mentioned above, you may have numerous questions about how this law affects your dissolution of marriage.  The right person to answer those questions is Lisle, Illinois attorney Vincent Ruggiero.  From his office he serves family law clients in Kane, DuPage, Will, and Cook Counties.  Please call his office today to make an appointment at (630) 654-0044.