Separation as Opposed to Divorce.

Sometimes divorce is NOT the answer.  Have you considered a legal separation?  In the State of Illinois it is often used when couples are not ready to concede that their marriage is over.  At this point they may agree to separate their finances and their residences.  For example, a spouse may want to divide the couple’s assets, but their religious conviction does not permit a divorce.

There are many cases where a disabled spouse needs to remain married for health insurance reasons.  What if one spouse is being sued and the other is putting the cumulative wealth of both spouses at risk because the other spouse has jeopardized his or her own assets?

There are many good reasons to consider a separation instead of a divorce.  An attorney to consult is Vincent Ruggiero of Ruggiero Family Law.  Call Attorney Ruggiero today at (630) 654-0044 to discuss your options and to work out the best scenario for you and your spouse.  He serves Cook, Kane, DuPage, and Will Counties in Chicagoland.

Naperville Jaycees - Last Fling 2015, Labor Day Weekend!

Naperville Jaycees - Last Fling 2015
September 4th - 7th
The Last Fling has great special events for everyone of all ages to participate!
Come out and join the fun!

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 57th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show

The 57th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show – August 15 & 16
The Chicago Air and Water Show presented by Shell Oil Products U.S. and the City of Chicago is the largest FREE show of its kind in the United States. The show can be viewed along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point.

Child Support in the State of Illinois.

Who pays child support and how much needs to be paid are critical issues in a divorce proceeding.

In the Land of Lincoln, the state legislature has decided that child support for one child is calculated at 20% of one’s net income from all sources of revenue that they may receive.   "Net income" is generally defined as total gross income less maintenance/alimony, income taxes, health insurance premiums and a few other allowable deductions.

Now here is the important part…with each additional child the percentage of support payments does not double, but rather goes up by a certain percentage.  Sometimes daycare is added to that figure and a special needs child may require further support.

As you can easily see this is a rather slippery slope and a knowledgeable divorce attorney is a must to sort out what is and is NOT fair compensation.  Vince Ruggiero has practiced family law in DuPage, Will, Kane, and Cook County for decades.  He knows from experience the questions you will have and the answers that you need.  Call Attorney Ruggiero today at (630) 654-0044.

Is a Prenuptial Agreement Right for You?

This is obviously a very personal decision and one that has no absolute right or wrong answer.  

Here are some of the pros of why a prenuptial agreement may be right for you as a couple:

- Documenting each spouse's separate property to protect it in that manner.

- Avoiding court involvement to decide property distribution.

- Distinguishing between what is marital and what is community property.

- Documenting any special arrangements between you and your spouse.

- Reducing conflicts during a divorce.

- Establishing procedures and rules for issues that may arise in the future, and

- Assigning debt, such as credit cards, school loans, and mortgages, to the appropriate spouse to avoid both parties sharing debt liability.

Some of the cons may be:

- The timing may not be right.

- It takes some of the romance out of the union.

- You may wait until after you are already married if you are willing to take that chance.

- A prenup cannot include child custody issues.

Your friends at Ruggiero and Associates will be there to help you with any family law issues that you encounter.  They serve Chicagoland in Kane, Cook, DuPage, and Will counties from their office in Lisle.  Give them a call at (630) 654-0044 or visit them on the web at www.ruggierofamilylaw.com. 

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.