Family Law

The newsletter of ISBA’s Section on Family Law

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2015 Articles

Ten changes in family law that practitioners need to know in 2016: A brief summary of modifications to the IMDMA By Marie K. Sarantakis December 2015 While minor revisions to the IMDMA have been adopted addressing civil unions in 2011, same-sex marriage in 2013, and maintenance provisions in 2014, we are about to see a transformative and major overhaul of the statute in its entirety.
1 comment (Most recent January 21, 2016)
The times they are a changin’: The new IMDMA and Parentage Acts By Rory T. Weiler October 2015 An alert to some of the the changes to the IMDMA that are going to dramatically change the landscape of the divorce practice.
1 comment (Most recent October 20, 2015)
V.A. payments and family support By Mark E. Sullivan July 2015 There is a lot of confusion among family law attorneys, and practitioners in general, about VA disability compensation payments. The questions and responses in this article will help to clear the muddy waters.
We need a statewide dialogue on the use of attorneys appointed to represent children By Treva O’Neill & Marilyn Longwell September 2015 Judicial attitudes vary across the state as to whether and how to use GALs and child representatives—so what can we do to get judges to form a statewide consensus?
What makes an exceptional family law attorney? By Jeanne M. Reynolds January 2015 How does a new attorney navigate family law and impress the judge? The author provides her top ten tips, observations, and suggestions.
2 comments (Most recent February 6, 2015)
When can parents leave their children alone? By Diane L. Redleaf & Angela Peters November 2015 The current law and policy on the question of what constitutes “inadequate supervision” is, quite frankly, a mess. In Illinois, there are at least four different legal standards at play in Illinois’ intersecting criminal, juvenile court and governing child welfare reporting and investigations law.
When God is in the prenup By Jennifer Cunningham Beeler December 2015 This article explores a Jewish get, an Islamic Mahr, and a Roman Catholic annulment for the intertwining of the secular and sectarian.
When net income is neither net nor income By Christopher W. Bohlen May 2015 The concept of net income seems simple. That simplicity hits a brick wall when a person obligated to pay child support is the owner of a non-incorporated business.