Paul L. Feinstein Family Law Blog

 

Effective June 1, 2011 the State of Illinois commenced allowing civil unions between unmarried people of the same gender (and in fact members of the opposite gender can also make this selection).  Couples who have entered into civil unions will be entitled to all the rights of Illinois spouses.  Further, dissolution of marriage procedure and law in Illinois will apply to civil unions.  The only legal difference will occur... Read More

A recent case decided by the First District Appellate Court of Illinois, In Re Marriage of Petersen, gives words to the wise.  In that case the parties were divorced and since their children were not yet college age, the issue of who would pay what for college expenses, was reserved.  This is commonly done.  However, the Petersen case now says for example, if one parent sends money to a college and the other parent does not... Read More

          If you are involved in a child custody case in Illinois there will probably be an independent mental health expert appointed by the judge, called a “604(b)” after the statute which authorizes such appointments. These examinations sometimes contain sensitive mental health information and the issue has arisen as to whether these reports are confidential. Most mental health records in Illinois are... Read More