Michael Roe

Apr 28, 2024 | lexblog.com | Michael Roe

Through the decades of practicing divorce and child custody law in Illinois, I have encountered the myriad reasons that a spouse or couple is seeking a divorce. In some cases, there are serious behavioral issues that make staying together unhealthy for the marriage, and unhealthy for the children.

Apr 27, 2024 | lexblog.com | Michael Roe

In Illinois, child custody (now called allocations of parenting time and decision making) can be modified through the courts if there is a substantial change in circumstances that warrants a modification. In general, the modification will be sought after two years has expired from the original judgment, but some cases allow for a modification before two years if the issues presented are serious, or if the changes are moderate and needed to serve the interests of the child(ren).

Apr 26, 2024 | lexblog.com | Michael Roe

A few years ago, I tried a lengthy case in Will County, Illinois that ended up on appeal on a few key issues. One of these issues is that at trial, I put in evidence and argued that the small company owned by the parties should have its retained earnings considered as marital property, insofar as the practice of this husband and wife company had been to distribute the retained earnings out to themselves as dividend income.

Apr 26, 2024 | lexblog.com | Michael Roe

One aspect of my practice is to deliver high level legal skill to my clients, while at the same time optimizing their outcomes in a cost-effective manner. Divorces don’t need to cost an “arm and a leg.”Divorce can be emotionally and financially taxing for all parties involved. While the emotional aspect might be harder to mitigate, there are several strategies to save on the cost of divorce:Mediation: Consider opting for mediation instead of litigation.

Apr 26, 2024 | lexblog.com | Michael Roe

Parental alienation is defined as a mental condition in which a child—usually one whose parents are engaged in a contentious separation or divorce—allies themself strongly with the preferred (alienating) parent and rejects a relationship with the other (targeted) parent without legitimate justification. – The mental component of this condition is a false belief that the rejected parent is evil, dangerous, or not worthy of love.