Choosing the Right Family Lawyer.

Choosing the proper family attorney to represent your side of a divorce proceeding is an extremely important decision.  We know that you have dozens of choices throughout Chicagoland.  Let us introduce you to Vincent C. Ruggiero.  He has been licensed to practice in the state of Illinois for more than 30 years.

Attorney Ruggiero does not “dabble” in family law as one of his practice areas.  He devotes his full time and attention to its pursuit.  He has had litigation training at the highest level, and his personal life experiences make him uniquely qualified to handle any case ranging from custody and financial battles to simple divorces where both parties agree on the eventual outcome.

Vincent Ruggiero is also a Certified Divorce Mediator, a registered Certified Public Accountant, and a member of the DuPage County Bar Association Family Law Subcommittee.  You do not need to be mean to be tough, so when you make the decision to hire an aggressive yet sensible divorce attorney in DuPage, Will, Kane, or Cook counties, call the office of Vincent C. Ruggiero at (630) 654-0044.

Changes in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act beginning in 2016.

In the state of Illinois the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act was originally enacted more than 35 years ago.  There have been many changes in family dynamics over those three and a half decades.  Not the least of which is same-sex marriage, embryo preservation, and rights.  Parenting and adoption in general have also changed.

The Illinois legislature has been grappling with this for years.  They have been pushing for a revised version of the 1979 Act.  Finally it has arrived.  Effective January 1, 2016, there will be several significant updates in the ways that divorces and other related issues will be addressed in the future in the Land of Lincoln.  This law will apply to all new AND pending cases.  For example, there will be no more “sole” or “joint” custody; rather, an allocation of certain specified parental responsibilities.  The term “visitation” is also done away with, and each parent must submit within 120 days of the start of the case a written parenting plan for the court to consider.

When you need a great family attorney in Chicagoland to navigate through these new changes, contact the office of Vincent Ruggiero serving Kane, DuPage, Will, and Cook Counties.  From his office in Lisle, Illinois, he will assist you through the stressful process of the dissolution of marriage anytime of the year.  Call Attorney Ruggiero for serious and compassionate advice at (630) 654-0044.

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.

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.

What Property is Marital and Non-marital?

A divorce court (in Illinois) must determine which property is considered marital and non-marital (some states refer to this distinction as community or separate property) in order to distribute it properly and equitably.  Generally, property obtained by either spouse during the marriage is presumed marital property (unless a gift or inheritance by one spouse is received).  Obviously then, it would follow that property acquired before the marriage will be considered non-marital, assuming the name of the other spouse is not added as a joint owner.

Remember…just because property is listed in only one person's name does not necessarily make it non-marital property.  In some instances the way property is obtained and titled can make a big difference.  A perfect example would be if one spouse owns a home prior to the marriage, then later that home is refinanced in both spouse's names.  The home could now be considered marital property.

Needless to say, determining the difference between marital and non-marital is complicated at best.  You need the consult of a Divorce Lawyer serving Chicagoland.  Vincent Ruggiero of Ruggiero Family Law will guide you down this slippery slope and handle your divorce proceedings from start to finish.  His office is located in Lisle and serves Kane, DuPage, Will, and Cook Counties.  Call Attorney Vincent Ruggiero today at (630) 654-0044 for sound legal advice.

Divorce Proceedings with a Family Lawyer.

In your initial consultation with a divorce lawyer your job is to gather information while discussing your situation with the attorney.  The divorce process may be halted at any time, so you are not bound by the initial meeting.  It is good to know that if you are contemplating a divorce, Ruggiero and Associates charges a reduced rate of just $225 for that nearly 1-hour consultation.  At the conclusion you may not decide to proceed with your divorce, or you may even move forward with different counsel, but your time with Mr. Ruggiero will be learning-full and well worth your time and money.

If you do decide to proceed with Attorney Vincent Ruggiero, a retainer is typically paid at that time, or shortly thereafter.  The agreement should allow either party to discontinue the relationship at any time.   The retainer remains the client's money even after it is initially tendered to the attorney and is kept in a segregated client trust fund until such time as those fees are earned by the actual services provided by the attorney. 

Hourly rates differ among divorce attorneys, and even between attorneys in the same firm. Rates obviously differ due to the skill and experience of the attorney. Mr. Ruggiero's hourly rate for both office and court time is $330.00.  To find a list of what functions are included in Attorney Vincent Ruggiero’s hourly rate, go to his website at www.ruggierofamilylaw.com.  For any family law matters in Cook, Kane, DuPage, or Will counties call today at (630) 654-0044.

The Complexities of Divorce.

Each divorce can be as diverse as the people involved. Divorce is often a very complex situation. People get divorced for many reasons. There are a myriad of reasons for divorce be they psychological, emotional, or religious. Divorce may also be the result of infidelity, dishonesty, and abuse. When couples marry too young or too quickly this can increase the likelihood of divorce.  Sometimes people's priorities simply change.

One of the many common themes for divorce is a lack of trust. Couples may have a tough time reestablishing trust in the cheating spouse. Any type of dishonesty in the marriage, especially about finances, may be a huge factor. Sometimes one or both partners detach themselves emotionally from the marriage.  Since they are emotionally detached, they seek to become legally detached as well. These days divorce as a result of religious beliefs is not uncommon.  Differences in which religion to bring up children can also be a huge component. Emotions run high when a person's faith is involved, bringing vast differences in the relationship to the forefront.

It can be easy to focus on your situation emotionally rather than logically. As a result, people can make poor decisions that may affect them legally and financially for years to come. Speak to an experienced family law attorney that will fight for your current and future interests during this difficult time. Contact Family Law Attorney Vincent Ruggiero at 630-654-0044 for assistance with your divorce matters in DuPage, Will, Kane, and Cook Counties.