Posts By: MICHAEL C CRAVEN

Divorce After 40 Years of Marriage: Unusual?

Divorce in Long-term Marriages The news of Al and Tipper Gore’s divorce has rocked the political world in the last two days. What seemed like an extremely solid union has dissolved. The Gore’s public message to the media is simple and easy to understand: they simply grew apart as a couple. There is no drama or betrayal in their decision to part ways. Most divorces still occur in younger couples, but it is becoming more and more common that couples with decades of marriage under their be...   Read more ...  

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Divorce 101–Part Three

Divorce 101 In the third part of this series, I’m answering questions about the legal contract between you and your divorce attorney and providing you with a list of questions you should ask an attorney before you hire him to handle your divorce. Here is Part One and Part Two. Q. Do I have to sign a contract with my lawyer? What are my rights? A. Most attorneys will have you sign a contract or letter outlining the major terms of the representation, including hourly rates. In Illinois most div...   Read more ...  

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Divorce 101–Part Two

Divorce 101 In the second installment of my series on the most frequently asked questions among people considering divorce, I’m addressing attorney selection strategy and attorney’s fees. In case you missed it, check out Part One. Q: We’ve all heard of those really bitter divorce battles between husbands and wives, like the one portrayed in the movie The War of the Roses. Should clients look for an attorney who takes no prisoners? A: You’ll want to avoid that type of lawyer. Althoug...   Read more ...  

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Divorce 101–Part One

“Where do I start?” That ‘s the question most individuals ask once they’ve made a decision to seek a divorce. In this three-part series, I’ll answer the most frequently asked questions that arise before people have selected a divorce attorney. Part One focuses on the hiring process and fees. Q: What is the most important thing a client should look for when hiring an attorney? A: The client and attorney must have chemistry. Divorce lawyers represent people, not businesses. The relati...   Read more ...  

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Does Cheating Matter?

Not necessarily in a court of law. States differ as to whether infidelity makes a difference in a divorce settlement. Illinois, for example, is a “no-fault” state, meaning a spouse’s infidelity has no effect on the judge’s final settlement decision. Of course, cheating does matter to the parties involved. A recent public example of marital infidelity was in the news days after Sandra Bullock received her Best Actress Oscar. According to the New York Daily News, “Ten days after her t...   Read more ...  

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What You Should Do Before Considering Divorce

Many divorcees never review their wills and estate plans. Those that do, often do it after they’re divorced. However, it may be advisable to make changes as soon as a marriage breaks down. Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Property are common documents used in estate planning. If you’re in a bad marriage or in the midst of divorce, don’t wait until after divorce to review and change these documents. These two Powers grant your “agent”, the right to make decisions regarding your...   Read more ...  

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