Initiating Divorce: Who Makes the Call?

 Posted on April 10, 2014 in Divorce

Divorce is a common peril for almost 50 percent of all American couples. When we hear about a recent "conscious uncoupling" we assume the wife is responsible for placing the call to an experienced divorce attorney. Our assumption would have been correct.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Health Statistics, 65 percent of all divorce proceedings are initiated by the wife. In states such as Illinois, when introducing no-fault divorce, rates jumped as high as 70 percent. If we learned anything from John Gray's, Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus, we are quite aware that there are fundamental differences between women and men. Women tend to view things at a more emotional level and perhaps the following, offered by Willard F. Harley, Jr., Ph.D. can categorize the feelings behind a woman's decision to dissolve her marriage: "I hurt all the time because I feel alone and abandoned."

"My husband is no longer my friend."

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The Perils of Adoption: Advice for Prospective Parents

 Posted on April 07, 2014 in Adoption

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, adoption is the process whereby a person assumes parenting for another and, in doing so, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parent or parents.

In many cases all goes well with the process and integration of the adopted child into a thriving and loving family. So much so that the Adoption USA: National Survey of Adoptive Parents, supports that 81 percent of parents have established a "very warm and close" relationship with their adopted son or daughter. But what happens when  adoption turns out not to be the idyllic family portrait you were hoping for? The most infamous case was that of the young Russian boy who was returned to homeland by his adoptive mother. Another case highlights a former attorney from Spokane, Washington who after much concerted effort decided to place her adopted child, originally from Haiti, up for adoption to preserve the safety of her two younger children. ABC News', senior health and medical editor, Dr. Richard Besser agrees that these cases are heartbreaking, but atypical. Besser reports that 80 to 90 percent of all adoptions are successful and offers the following advice for parents considering adoption: Adjustment Period – take time to let your child relax and become familiar with the family routine. It takes a period of time to determine if any disruptions are due to adjustment issues or if the situation is hindered by a medical or psychological disorder. Realistic Expectations – for parents considering adoption, do not place high expectations on your child from the very beginning. For those children being adoptive from foreign countries, the majority of these children were institutionalized and may need a longer adjustment period. Do Your Homework – before finalizing the adoption, take the time and effort to research and learn as much about your child as possible. Come to know all of the circumstances of their "former" life and then adjust your expectations based on your findings. Rely on a Strong Support Network – enlist family and friends. Join an organized support group and seek out community based services available to families of adoptive children. Besser also recommends using a pediatrician experienced with adopted children. Raising a child, either biological or adopted is a lifelong challenge. No one can predict the outcome or the trials and tribulations along the way. It takes love, compassion, patience and guidance. For the majority of adopted children they will thrive in their environment but for those who have deeper issues that hinder growth development and evoke social and cognitive disorders we can only hope that one day they will find their way. As for the parents who tried we can only applaud their endless effort. If you are considering adoption and reside in the Lombard or Arlington Heights communities, the adoption attorneys of A. Traub & Associates understand your legal and emotional concerns. We are experienced in both domestic and international adoption and can guide you through the process with finalization within a few months. Adoption takes a strong commitment and we understand you also need a strong committed legal team with you every step of the way. For more information on how A. Traub & Associates can help you, contact us at 630-426-0196 for an affordable consultation today.

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Same Channel Different Time: Quick Tips for Remarrying Your Ex

 Posted on March 31, 2014 in Divorce

This command performance may not guarantee you a gold star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but if considering marrying your former spouse, you would be sharing center stage with the likes of Liz Taylor; Marie Osmond; NeNe Leakes, Pink and even Judge Judy, just to name a few.

Will it be a marriage of infinite syndication? Probably not. Psychology Today reports that over 60 percent of all repeat marriages are prone to cancellation. Evidence shows that repeat marriages fail quicker than the premiere episode. Lois Tarter, author of The Divorce Ritual and contributor to the Huffington Post, believes there are a few steps to be taken when contemplating Act II with your former spouse.

• Time – take it. Make sure all emotional wounds have healed. Confront and resolve any outstanding issues before the anticipated wedding date;

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The University of Pittsburgh Weighs in on Challenges of Divorce

 Posted on March 27, 2014 in Divorce

You are thinking of meeting with a divorce attorney and wonder what impact your decision will have on your children. You understand the tension and uneasiness blanketing the house may soon dissipate and you and the kids can settle into a more harmonic routine. You worry a bit about how the kids will handle the absence of their other parent, but take some comfort in their resiliently. You are not expecting any changes in their behavior as all things fall into place.

Researchers, Daniel S. Shaw and Erin M. Ingoldsby of the University of Pittsburgh disagree. These colleagues have researched the conceptualizations of the impact of divorce on children and how they tend to adjust to the overall situation. By highlighting sections of their Children of Divorce you may gain a better understanding of the behaviors on the horizon as your children adjust to the new family dynamics. Externalization Problems

This is the most consistent finding when it comes to how a child may process the situation and brings to the surface personal difficulties with delinquency, aggression and disobedience.

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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;

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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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