KYZ Law, P.C.

It is a fact that, “almost 40 percent of U.S. working wives now out-earn their husbands.” This trend of women earning more than men will continue to increase because men no longer care to be the bread-winners, only 40% of men think they should be the ones brining home the bacon. And a category of “men younger than [...]

Thinking about moving with your child out of state? Are you leaving the other parent behind, perhaps because he/she does not live with you? First, you must get the court’s permission. Halle Barry is doing just that right now. Halle Barry filed documents in Court asking permission to move with her fiancé Olivier Martinez and her daughter [...]

Most people may know that if you transfer your real estate property to a family member, neither of you will have to pay a transfer tax because it is a transfer within a family. Similarly, if you are getting a divorce and one spouse transfers his/her share of martial home to the other spouse, neither [...]

Trust is more about what I believe about me than it is about knowing what someone else will do. “How would you live if you felt you could trust life fully? If you believed you were totally protected and secure, that forevermore your life would be filled with love and prosperity? Think of how your [...]

“Today, the engine of government says that we will move towards justice, towards fairness, towards equal protection under the law,” said Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Debra Shore, who attended the civil union kickoff this morning. “This is a day long in the making and I wish I could have been there to celebrate with [...]

Watch a 20 min. video of an actual couple who utilized Collaborative Process to fashion their divorce agreement and allowed it to be captured on tape. Click here to WATCH video For more videos and information on collaborative process visit Collaborative Practice Professionals of Illinois  

Click here to get a FREE “Collaborative Divorce Knowledge Kit.” Read on to determine whether a collaborative divorce is a workable option for you. Keep in mind collaborative approaches apply in any civil dispute, not just divorce.

America prides itself on affording everyone to have their day in court. But because the losing party does not typically have to pay opposing side’s legal fees, some file frivolous lawsuits out of spite. Sometimes women falsely accuse their husbands of physical abuse in order to get an upper hand in the divorce. Companies file frivolous lawsuits against other companies to get rid of their competition. You should fight such lawsuits. But first you must prevail in an underlying (frivolous lawsuit), then you must demonstrate that the accuser had no probable cause to bring the action, and such action was brought out of malice.

Support payments pursuant to divorce receive different tax treatment depending upon whether they are characterized as child support or spousal support (referred to also as maintenance or alimony). Child support is not taxable to the payee spouse and not tax deductible by the payor spouse. However, child support interest associated with past-due child support payments is considered taxable income. Payments classified as spousal support are taxable to the payee spouse and tax deductible by the payor. These payments are not only tax deductible, but “above the line” adjustments to income, meaning that the payor spouse does not have to itemize deductions to get the tax break.

Despite family laws making it clear that one cannot be discriminated against on the basis of sex, fathers throughout America and worldwide continue to feel discriminated against in family courts. Sir Bob Geldof from Australia is on a high-profile crusade speaking up for the rights of single fathers. He lost custody of his kids during the divorce, and although ultimately fought back and won at great financial expense, has written and speaks on the topic with a passion.

You had such great fun in Las Vegas that in the morning you learned that you got married the night before. Or, you learned that your 15 year-old daughter ran off and got hitched to her high school sweetheart against your permission. Or, how about you just found out your beloved husband has another wife in Georgia. Oh boy, what can you do now? Anything? Illinois provides for specific grounds for invalidity of marriage (formerly referred to as Annulment). Depending on the reason for invalidity, you must commence legal action in court within either 90 days or 1 year, unless your marriage is prohibited, then at any time. Read on for specific grounds and time limits for filing.

Your spouse maintains a second home in the Bahamas and you had no idea. Or, your spouse has a gambling addiction and spent his last 3 paychecks on paying off his gambling debts. Or, you just found out your wife has a girl-friend and she is showering her with Luis Vuitton bags. You decided you had enough of this and want to get a divorce. Can you get back the money your spouse improperly spent without your permission? It depends on timing of when this money was spent and when the breakdown of the marriage occurred.

The new Public Act 96-0895 gives adopted adults a right to access their original birth certificates. For adopted adults born after Jan.1, 1946, they may access those records after Nov.15, 2011. A year-long public information campaign will begin immediately to notify birth parents of their rights to remain anonymous. Effective May 21, 2010.

In order to enter a judgment against a person, the court must have personal jurisdiction over that person. A few exceptions apply, however. You can get a divorce, if you do not know where your spouse is currently located utilizing service by publication in a newspaper covering the last known geographic area of your spouse. But you cannot get a personal judgment against a person for money damages, including child support, custody, alimony, or divide property, if you did not serve that person with personal service. In such a way, you may obtain a biforcated divorce, you get a divorce judgment and the remaining issues may be left unresolved for another time.

The new amendment provides that if a person petitioning to modify a custody judgment or visitation order owes past due child support to a custodial parent in an amount in excess of $10,000, the person shall post a bond in the amount of past due child support owed before the filing of the petition. Provides that the court shall hold the bond in escrow until the modification proceedings have been concluded, at which time the bond shall be transmitted to the State Disbursement Unit for disbursement to the custodial parent. Effective immediately.