Columbia Divorce & Family Law Blog by Stange Law Firm, PC

Illinois officials have raised concerns about domestic violence in the state, with Rockford police saying that they receive around 5,000 calls each year about incidents related to family violence. However, experts say that police calls do not capture the true scope of the problem, as many incidents go unreported and are handled outside the legal system. Advocates say that they are attempting to make the system easier to navigate and more palatable for survivors of domestic violence, launching a project called the Family Peace Center.

One spokesperson emphasized that domestic violence is a widespread problem with repercussions that cross socioeconomic lines. She noted that unemployment and drug abuse are other types of social problems but not the cause of domestic violence, as many people responsible for domestic abuse are gainfully employed but still engaging in violent behaviors inside the home. She also emphasized that the perpetrator is responsible for their actions, dismissing attempts to link violence to other issues that could provoke a previously unthinkable outburst. She also noted that domestic violence is often linked to other types of crimes and comprises 38% of the overall violent crime problem in the area.

One of the biggest concerns Illinois parents have after getting a divorce is making sure that their children will be all right. Some parents worry that their children will never recover and get bad grades in school, take drugs, go to jail, have mental health problems and so forth. However, the reality is that children with parents who went through a divorce can do just as well as children with parents who stay together.

Studies have revealed that the quality of the relationship of the divorced parents can be a big factor in how well the children will do after the divorce. It is best for parents to keep their relationship with each other civil. If they treat each other with respect, support each other in parenting and recognize the important role that each parent plays in the lives of their children, the children will have the best shot at success possible.

Judges will typically account for any type of income that a parent receives when determining how much child support that person must provide. An Illinois judge may count wage income, dividends obtained from a stock portfolio or employer contributions to a retirement plan as income. Other sources of income may also be considered if it helps create a support order that preserves the best interest of a child.

A judge may look at a parent's tax return when determining what types of income he or she has. However, it may be possible for the person crafting a child support order to do more research into a parent's financial situation. This may occur if a judge suspects that a person is hiding or not reporting all of his or her income. Further research may also be conducted to determine if a parent is reaching his or her true earning potential.

Every parent in Illinois wants to raise well-balanced and emotionally stable children. For this to happen, it's often important that the kids have a relationship with both of their parents. If the parents are separated, however, relationships could suffer. That's why exes should take steps to co-parent effectively.

While there are likely serious issues that caused the parents to split up, they will need to come together and do what is best for their children. They should openly communicate about the parenting schedule. When the children see that each ex-spouse is working together for their well-being, they are likely to feel a sense of security.