New Research Shows Living Together Doesn’t Lead to Divorce

 Posted on March 25, 2014 in Divorce

In the past, cohabitation before marriage has often been linked to couples filing for divorce. New information, however has shown that this is incorrect. In fact, in certain cases, living together before getting married may actually improve the chances of a marriage succeeding.

New research conducted by Dr. Arielle Kuperberg, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro has shown that for women who have personal circumstances that may, in many cases, indicate a higher risk for divorce, cohabitation can actually improve their chances at a successful marriage. This includes:

• Women who have had a premarital birth;
• Women who have had more than the average number of sexual partners;
• Women raised in single parent families;
• Women raised in stepparent families.

Dr. Kuperberg’s research found that previous studies linking cohabitation and divorce consistently overstated the risk, ignoring other issues that may have also increased the risk of an unsuccessful marriage. For example, poorer couples have a tendency to cohabitate, and a lower economic status often leads to divorce. These studies also compared couples by the ages at which they married, instead of their ages when they moved in together. When Dr. Kuperberg compared these couples at the age when they moved in together, she found no difference in the divorce rate. Instead, couples who married or cohabitated at ages younger than 23 were the ones at a higher risk for divorce. Of course, the cause of a divorce is rarely simple. In most cases, the reasons behind a divorce cannot be traced to a single factor. If you are considering filing for divorce in Illinois, your first step should be to obtain the services of a qualified attorney. The professionals at A. Traub & Associates have years of experience, and will do their best to ensure that your divorce moves as smoothly through the system as possible. Contact us today for your initial consultation, and let us help you get started on your way to a new life.

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Sibling Visitation Rights in Illinois

 Posted on March 21, 2014 in Divorce

Experiencing a divorce can be difficult for all family members, but particularly children. In Illinois, the state gives the same visitation rights to siblings as is usually granted to grandparents in the event of a divorce. This is particularly helpful in cases where parents split custody of multiple children, or in cases where a second marriage with stepchildren is ending.

 According to Illinois state law, siblings of a minor child at least a year old may petition the court for visitation in cases where there has been an unreasonable denial of visitation. The state considers a sibling to be a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister. These petitions may be filed both during and after the divorce proceedings, and can request both visitation and reasonable electronic communication rights. As with grandparent visitation, one of the following conditions must be met in addition to the sibling being denied visitation by a parent:

• The child’s other parent must have been deceased or missing for at least three months;

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Will Divorce Isolate Your Children?

 Posted on March 19, 2014 in Divorce

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Disability, Divorce and a Dependable Illinois Divorce Attorney

 Posted on March 14, 2014 in Asset Division

Deciding to file for a divorce takes insurmountable courage, especially if you are living with a disability. According to a recent U.S. Census Brief, one fifth of all Americans are facing daily challenges due to a disability. The numbers are only expected to increase over the coming decades.

One case scenario could highlight a woman with a diagnosed disability who has been married for 25 years with no children involved. Her spouse's substance abuse issues have become intolerable and after considerable counseling there is no hope left for saving the marriage. There is nothing left to do but to contact an experienced divorce attorney and move forward. For many disabled Americans facing divorce, additional circumstances may need to be taken into consideration. For those residing in Illinois, the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5) will provide for the following three areas of possible continual support: Temporary

Maintenance payment agreed upon by both parties to cover short-term expenses.

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Top Ten Countries Achieving Medal Status in Divorce

 Posted on March 12, 2014 in Divorce

According to Variety, the American entertainment trade magazine founded in 1905, NBC hit a ratings gold mine by enticing 25.9 million viewers to tune into the winter games of the XXII Olympiad.

 Over five time zones and 18 spectacular evenings we explored the foothills and mountain tops of Sochi, Russia. We cheered on athletes, applauded victories and witnessed the agony of defeat as 88 nations came together to celebrate the uniqueness of each nation. One may choose to believe that with so much cultural diversity, the participating nations held nothing in common except the hunt for gold. As athletes stepped on the podium, it may be interesting to note that both the host nation, Russia and the United States vied for standings on a totally different event. The Top Ten Nations with the highest divorce rates. Russia achieved the gold medal standard for the highest divorce rate while the U.S.claimed bronze, with the remaining top ten taking their respective place on the podium:

1. Russia

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Longer Deployments May Lead to Divorce

 Posted on March 05, 2014 in Divorce

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Legal Alternatives to Assuming Guardianship of a Disabled Adult in Illinois

 Posted on February 25, 2014 in Guardianships

Taking care of a disabled adult, or helping them care for themselves, can be one of the most stressful and difficult ordeals a person and family can go through. In many cases, families consider assuming legal guardianship to make things easier. However, this is often the most restrictive alternative available to the disabled person. There are many alternatives to assuming guardianship in Illinois available under the law.

According to the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, it is important to explore the alternatives to guardianship before making a decision. After all, guardianship often means having the family’s private affairs examined publicly in court, and inviting court supervision for the future. Whenever possible, the situation should first be discussed with a team of professionals, including medical staff, social workers, caretakers, and an experienced attorney as well as family and friends.

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A Post Marital Agreement Could Save Your Marriage

 Posted on February 22, 2014 in Divorce

Sometimes, the communication in a relationship can break down. Financial concerns are often the source behind this communication breakdown. Unfortunately, this tends to be a self-reinforcing problem. The more concerned each person is, the more uncomfortable the subject becomes, and the less a couple communicates. Fortunately, there is a way to open the lines of communication and clear the air: a post-marital agreement.

According to a recent article in the Huffington Post, a post marital agreement has many advantages. Not only can it help open the lines of communication when it comes to your finances; it also helps to let each person know what their responsibilities and obligations are as far as the couple’s finances go.

Marriage is an economic partnership as much as it is an emotional one. Knowing what each person expects from the other as far as finances go can ease much of the tension that can occur in the relationship.

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The Quiet Addiction: When a Divorce Attorney may be your Ace in the Hole

 Posted on February 19, 2014 in Divorce

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the divorce rate is improving slightly. Only 40 percent of all today’s American couples will seek a divorce attorney rather than 50 percent in the 1980s.

So why is so difficult for Americans to hold it together? It could be one of these five reasons:

1. Friend or family issues;
2. Sexual dissatisfaction;
3. Addiction problems;
4. Financial woes;
5. The breakdown of communication.

Compulsive gambling can be as devastating to a marriage as alcoholism or infidelity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines compulsive gambling as an impulse control disorder. For any family dealing with a family member afflicted by any addiction, daily life can be a struggle. The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that divorce rates among compulsive gamblers are more than double those who only gamble on occasion. If you suspect that your spouse is battling a gambling addiction, review these warning signs and either suggest that your loved one reach out for professional assistance or contact an experienced divorce attorney: Employment Issues Most pathological gamblers experience problems not only maintaining a job, but with theft on the job. Does your spouse experience lulls in full-time, sustainable employment? Have there been issues of work-related theft or repayment of loans to co-workers? White-Collar Crime More than half of proclaimed professional gamblers have admitted to forgery, identity theft, tax evasion and fraud. If you and your spouse are dealing with an IRS audit or fielding general questions from a local authority, this may be a tip as to the severity of the problem. Financial Folly Does your spouse mention bankruptcy as a means to solve financial problems? Have you started hiding the checkbook, credit cards or cash? Depression Statistically three-fourths of all problem gamblers suffer from depression. Have you noticed a change in your spouse's mood? Have you spent time worrying about the mental health of your spouse? Do he or she only express happiness when they had a good day at the track? Domestic Violence As with all marriages, living with an addiction can be devastating. Verbal and physical abuse often increases by 50 percent in a home where gambling is a family secret. Have you noticed an increase in physical or verbal abuse from your spouse? Family Facts The impact on your kids can also be damaging. Have you noticed a change in how your spouse relates to them?Is he or she have a short-fuse or have occasional bursts of anger? Take note, children influenced by a person addicted to gambling may also roll the dice later in life. Suicide If you think suicide is a possibility, it may be time to reach out for professional help. The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that 20 percent of problem gamblers have attempted suicide. Divorce Addiction can take it toll on your marriage. If you feel that your spouse would be open to seeking professional help, discuss it openly, bring the family secret to the forefront and fight. If you're considering divorce, contacting an experienced family law attorney may be your best bet. You have been dealt a difficult hand. By placing a call to A. Traub & Associates at 630-426-0196 our dedicated team of experienced divorce attorneys will listen to your issues, keep you informed and work diligently to bring the matter to as swift a resolution as possible. We are here to help you beat the odds.

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Common Predictors of Divorce

 Posted on February 14, 2014 in Divorce

Every couple hopes that their marriage will last forever. Unfortunately, many couples in their first marriages end up filing for divorce before they reach their five year anniversary. While considering divorce as an option can be incredibly painful, according to the American Psychological Association, there are several factors that can help couples recognize common situations that may signal a divorce.

Unsurprisingly, financial difficulties represent one of the main factors that may indicate a divorce is on the way. The chronic stress that is represented by financial difficulties can cause communication between partners to take a negative turn, making couples more prone to marital dissatisfaction. This is particularly true of low-income couples who do not have a lot of social support from extended family or their community.

Interestingly, another predictor of divorce may be feelings of cold feet before the wedding. A study conducted by researchers at UCLA has shown that women who report premarital anxiety (commonly referred to as "cold feet") before their wedding are more than twice as likely to be divorced four years later. Furthermore, couples whose marital dissatisfaction increased through the first four years of marriage were those who seemed somewhat dissatisfied and unsure of their choice to get married in the first place.

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