by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Many court Orders will provide that a parent who is paying child support must be current on child support in order to be eligible to claim tax exemption(s). This time of year is when that issue often comes to the forefront.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Divorce or child custody cases that involve multiple states can have an added layer of complexity, making it all the more important to handle such cases carefully.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A child custody or divorce case can be one of the most important events in a person’s life. It can also be one of the more expensive events too. However, there are things that a person can do to help minimize that expense while also seeking the best possible outcome for the case.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In a child custody case, those who try to represent themselves tend to run into significant problems. Every person who is facing a child custody case needs an attorney, for two main reasons:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In Divorce and child custody cases, Interrogatories are a common discovery tool. Interrogatories can help a party to obtain information that is needed to reach a favorable settlement, or to take the case to trial.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear It is common in divorce and custody cases in Iowa and Illinois for the court to award a non-custodial parent (a parent who does not have primary physical care) an extended block of visitation in the summer months. Summer visitation is also commonly awarded to both parents so that each parent can have an opportunity to take a vacation or otherwise spend time with the child. Summer visitation can be a great opportunity for a parent to spend more time with a child, but it can also be a source of contention.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In a divorce or custody case, Requests for Production of Documents is a commonly used discovery tool.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Depositions can be useful tools in child custody and divorce cases in Iowa and Illinois.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Filing a child custody case in the right location is important.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In many cases these days, a child is endangered or harmed by a the new spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend of an ex. Properly addressing such a situation is vital to ensuring the safety of the child.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In divorce and child custody cases in Illinois and Iowa, Discovery is an important part of the case. Discovery refers to the process through which each side in a divorce or custody case is entitled to gather information from the other side, for use in court later. It is important to comply with discovery, as a failure to do so can result in significant harm to a case.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear People will sometimes attempt to represent themselves in a divorce case. When a person acts as their own lawyer (pro se) in a divorce, there are often serious problems created, both in the short term and the long term. Anyone who is considering representing themselves should consider the possible ramifications before proceeding.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The first step in the divorce process, is determining where exactly to file the divorce and begin court proceedings. This process is usually simple, but it can be difficult for military families. For a divorce judgment to be valid, one of the individuals usually must be domiciled in the State issuing the divorce decree.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear A common question in divorce cases is how long it will take for the divorce to be completed. The answer to that question depends upon many different factors that are unique to each case. Those factors include the following:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear When a married couple is going through a divorce case, the issue of how to file taxes and what to do with a tax refund often arises. Properly handling such a tax situation is important.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear During a divorce case, it is critical that both spouses carefully choose their words when discussing the situation with their children. This is important for both the mental wellbeing of the children, and each spouse’s legal interests in the case.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear The question of where to file for divorce is one that can be complex, especially when a person has moved recently or has a spouse who lives in another state. Selecting the right jurisdiction and venue for the divorce case is important, as incorrect choices can cause significant harm to a person’s case and interests.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear When a person consults with a lawyer about their family law case, there are many different things that should be discussed so that the client is as informed as possible about how the case would proceed and the terms of representation. While each situation is different, there are some common things that are applicable in every case:
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear Those involved in a divorce case are sometimes tempted to use spyware or other snooping techniques to spy upon their spouse. Such spying is not favored by the courts in Illinois or Iowa, and can even result in criminal charges.
by Attorney Eric D. Puryear In a divorce or custody case, there can be advantages to being the first to file.