Family Law Outline

FamilyLawOutline
INTRODUCTION
I. GENERALTHEMES
a. Judgeshaveincrediblediscretion
b. Familylawcontinuestochangeandevolvereflectingsocialchange
II. ILLINOISSTATUTES750ILCSAct5
a. PurposeIMDMA(102)10Reasons
i. 1)provideadequateproceduresforthesolemnizationandregistrationofmarriage;
ii. (2)strengthenandpreservetheintegrityofmarriageandsafeguardfamilyrelationships;
iii. (3)promotetheamicablesettlementofdisputesthathavearisenbetweenpartiestoamarriage;
iv. (4)mitigatethepotentialharmtospousesandtheirchildrencausedbytheprocessofanaction
broughtunderthisAct,andprotectchildrenfromexposuretoconflictandviolence;
v. (5)ensurepredictabledecisionmakingforthecareofchildrenandfortheallocationofparenting
timeandotherparentalresponsibilities,andavoidprolongeduncertaintybyexpeditiouslyresolving
issuesinvolvingchildren;
vi. (6)recognizetherightofchildrentoahealthyrelationshipwithparents,andtheresponsibility
ofparentstoensuresucharelationship;
1. unlessthereisDV,parentsareentitledtoseetheirkids
vii. (7)acknowledgethatthedeterminationofchildren'sbestinterests,andtheallocationofparenting
timeandsignificantdecisionmakingresponsibilities,areamongtheparamountresponsibilitiesof
oursystemofjustice,andtothatend:
1. (A)recognizechildren'srighttoastrongandhealthyrelationshipwithparents,andparents'
concomitantrightandresponsibilitytocreateandmaintainsuchrelationships;
2. (B)recognizethat,intheabsenceofdomesticviolenceoranyotherfactorthatthe
courtexpresslyfindstoberelevant,proximityto,andfrequentcontactwith,both
parentspromoteshealthydevelopmentofchildren;
3. (C)facilitateparentalplanningandagreementaboutthechildren'supbringingand
allocationofparentingtimeandotherparentalresponsibilities;
4. (D)continueexistingparentchildrelationships,andsecurethemaximuminvolvementand
cooperationofparentsregardingthephysical,mental,moral,andemotionalwellbeingof
thechildrenduringandafterthelitigation;and
5. (E)promoteororderparentstoparticipateinprogramsdesignedtoeducateparentsto:
a. (i)minimizeoreliminaterancorandthedetrimentaleffectoflitigationinany
proceedinginvolvingchildren;and
b. (ii)facilitatethemaximumcooperationofparentsinraisingtheirchildren;
viii. (8)makereasonableprovisionforsupportduringandafteranunderlyingdissolutionofmarriage,
legalseparation,parentage,orparentalresponsibilityallocationaction,includingprovisionfor
timelyadvancesofinterimfeesandcoststoallattorneys,experts,andopinionwitnessesincluding
guardiansadlitemandchildren'srepresentatives,toachievesubstantialparityinparties'accessto
fundsforprejudgmentlitigationcostsinanactionfordissolutionofmarriageorlegalseparation;
ix. (9)eliminatetheconsiderationofmaritalmisconductintheadjudicationofrightsandduties
incidenttodissolutionofmarriage,legalseparationanddeclarationofinvalidityofmarriage;and
x. (10)makeprovisionforthepreservationandconservationofmaritalassetsduringthelitigation.
b. LICENSETOMARRY(203)obtainlicensetomarrybyshowing
i. (1)proofofpermissibleage:
1. 18yearsold,or
2. 16yearsoldwithparent/guardianconsent
a. musthaveconsentofbothparentsor
T. Gadbaw Family Law OutlineANDERSON (Fall 2016) 1

b. consentof1parent+showdiligenteffortsbyconsentingpartytofind
otherparent
i. Musthaveaffidavitstating(1)nameofabsentparentandthathe
cantbelocated+(2)diligenteffortsmadetolocateotherparent
ii. (2)proofitispermissiblemarriage(i.e.,notprohibited)see(212)
1. StillMarriedcannotmarryuntilpriormarriageisdissolved
2. Familycannotmarry(1)ancestor+descendantor(2)brotherandsister( whether
therelationshipisbyhalforwholebloodorbyadoption)
a. Cannotmarryuncle/nieceoraunt/nephew(whetherbyhalforwholeblood)
3. FirstCousinsnotpermittedunlesstheyare50yearsorolderandsterile
4. GayMarriagewillbeeffectiveinIllinoissummer2014
c. PROHIBITEDMARRIAGES(212)
i. Thefollowingmarriagesareprohibited:
1. Already/stillmarriedcannotmarryuntilpriormarriagedissolved
2. Familycannotmarry(1)ancestor+descendantor(2)brotherandsister
(whethertherelationshipisbyhalforwholebloodorbyadoption)
3. FamilyCannotmarryuncle/nieceoraunt/nephew(whetherbyhalforwholeblood)
4. FirstCousinsnotpermittedunless
a. theyare50yearsorolder.;or
b. eitherpartysterile(needdoctorsnote)
ii. Note:
1. partieswhocohabitafterremovaloftheimpedimentarelawfullymarriedofdateofremovalof
impediment
2. childrenbornoradoptedofaprohibitedorcommonlawmarriagearethelawfulchildrenofthe
parties
d. VALIDITYOFMARRIAGES(213)
i. GenerallyAllmarriages(withinILoroutside)thatwerevalidatthetimeenteredare
valid,exceptwherecontrarytopublicpolicyofstate
1. OutofStateMarriagearevalidunlessthemarriageiscontrarytopublicpolicy
2. Againstpo
e. INVALDIITYOFCOMMONLAWMARRIAGES(214)
i. CommonLawMarriagethereisnone,invalidinIllinoisunlessenteredbeforeJune30,
1905
f. PENALTY(215)
i. Anyonewhoviolatespart2ofthisact(201216)willbeguiltyofClassBmisdemonear
1. Punishablebyjailorfine
g. PROHIBITEDMARRIAGESVOIDIFCONTRACTEDINANOTHERSTATE(216)
i. Prohibitedmarriagesarevoidifdoneinanotherstate
1. Ex.CannotgotoUtah,marryyourcousinandcomebacktoIllinoisandhavethemarriage
recognized
h. DECLARATIONOFINVALIDITY(301)formerlyknownasAnnulment
i. Courtwillenterajudgmentdeclaringinvalidityunderthefollowingcircumstances:
(someonemusthavelackedconsent)
1. (1)Apartylackedcapacitytoconsenttothemarriage
a. Mentalincapacityorinfirmity
b. Undertheinfluenceofalcohol,drugs,orotherincapacitatingsubstances
c. Inducedintomarriagebyforce,duress,orfraud(involvingtheessentialsof
marriage)

i. Forceshotgunmarriage
ii. Fraudhastobesomethingthepartydidnotknowaboutbefore
themarriage(Ex:ifonepartydidnotknowthattheotherpartycouldnot
consummatethemarriage)
d. 302:SOL=90daysafterpetitionerobtainedknowledgeofthecondition
2. (2)Apartylacksthephysicalcapacitytoconsummatethemarriage
a. Atthetimeofmarriage,otherpartydidnotknowoftheincapacity
b. 302:SOL=1yearafterthepetitionerobtainedknowledgeofthe
condition
3. (3)Underagepartywas16or17yearsold
a. Didnothaveparental/guardianconsentorjudicialapproval
b. 302:SOL=Mustbesoughtbeforethetimethattheunderagedparty
reachestheageatwhichhe/shecouldhavemarriedwithoutneeding
permission
4. (4)ProhibitedMarriage
a. Seeabove212
b. Canbesoughtbyeitherpartyatanytime(nottoexceed3yearsafterdeath
ofonespouse)
i. TIMEOFCOMMENCEMENT(302)
i. Seethetimeframesabove(302SOL)
ii. CANNOTseekadeclarationofinvalidityafterDEATHofspouseforsection1(lack
consent),2(lackconsummation),and3(age)ofSection301.
iii. Declarationofinvaliditysoughtundersection4(prohibited)marriagesmaybesoughtby
spouseofbigamousmarriage,attorneyorchildofeitherpartyatanytimenottoexceed3
yearsfollowingdeath
j. CIVILUNIONSIllinoisReligiousFreedomProtectionAct&CivilUnionAct750ILCS
75/
i. 75/10
1. CivilUnionMarriage
2. Civilunion=Meansalegalrelationshipbetween2persons,ofeitherthesameor
oppositesex
ii. 75/20protections,obligations,andresponsibilites
1. partytoacivilunionisentitledtothesamelegalobligations,responsibilities,
protectionsandbenefitsasthoseaffordedorrecognizedbylawtoIllinoisspouses
2. Religionsdonothavetorecognizeorapprovecivilunions
iii. 75/25prohibitedcivilunions
1. priortobothparties18yearsofage
2. Already/stillmarriedorcivilcannotmarryuntilpriormarriageorcivilunion
dissolved
3. Familycannotmarry(1)ancestor+descendantor(2)brotherandsister
(whethertherelationshipisbyhalforwholebloodorbyadoption)
4. FamilyCannotmarryuncle/nieceoraunt/nephew(whetherbyhalforwholeblood)
5. FirstCousinsnotpermittedunless
iv. 75/45dissolution;declarationofinvalidly
1. heldtosamestandardsofdissolutionandinvalidity(annulment)ofregular
marriages

v. 75/60respectformarriagesandcivilunionsenteredintootherjurisdictions
1. civilunionfromotherstateswillberecognizedinILascivilunion
2. marriage(whethersamesexordifferentsexes)andprovideditsnotacommonlaw
marriagewillberecognizedasamarriageinaccordancewithprovisionsof
IMDMAexceptsection216shallnotapplytosamesexcouplesvalidlyenteredin
anotherjurisdiction
III. CASELAW
a. RIGHTTOMARRY
i. Obergefellv.Hodges
1. SamesexmarriageconstitutionalRighttomarriageisafundamentalrightofthe
dueprocessclause
a. Itsafundamentallibertyitisinherenttotheconceptofindividual
autonomy,itprotectsthemostintimateassociationbetweentwopeople,it
safeguardschildrenandfamiliesbyaccordinglegalrecognitiontobuilding
ahomeandraisingchildren,andithashistoricallybeenrecognizedasthe
keystoneofsocialorder
b.
ii. Lovingv.Virginia(SCOTUS1967)
1. FactsLovingsweremarriedinD.C.andresidedinVA.Lovingswerechargedwith
violatingtheVAlawagainstinterracialmarriage.ExiledfromVA.
a. Statearguedthatthislawwaspermissiblebecauseitpunishedwhitesandblacks
equally
2. Holdingunconstitutionaldenyingonthebasisofrace
a. Thereispatentlynolegitimateoverridingpurposeindependentofinvidious
racialdiscriminationwhichjustifiesthisclassification.
b. StrictScrutinystandardracialclassifications;narrowlytailoredtoachievea
compellingstateinterestwhichisapplicabletofundamentalinterestsandsuspect
classification;presumptivelyunconstitutional
3. Rule:therighttomarryisafundamentallibertyinterest
iii. Zablockiv.Redhail(SCOTUS1978)
1. FactsWIstatutemandatedthatWIresidentswithminorchildrennotintheircustodyand
underobligationtopaychildsupportmaynotgetmarriedwithoutcourtspermission.
a. fellunderthisstatute,couldnotmakesupportpaymentsforaperiodoftime,
owedbackedchildsupport
b. sapplicationforamarriagelicensewasdeniedbecausehedidnotgetcourt
order
c. wantedtomarrywomanwhowashavinghisbaby
2. HoldingunconstitutionalviolatedEqualProtectionbecauseitdirectlyandsubstantially
interferedwiththerighttomarry
a. Statehadavalidinterestinwantingtopromotepaymentofchildsupportbutnot
compelling
b. Therewerelessburdensome(morenarrowlytailored)waystogetsupport
c. RighttomarryisoffundamentalimportanceSSstandard
d. Dissent
i. RBtest
ii. Statedoeshaveanexceptionallystronginterestinsecuringasmuch
supportastheirparentsareabletopay

b. ADDITIONALLIBERTYINTERESTSINFAMILYLAW
i. MichaelH.v.GeraldD.(SCOTUS1989)
1. FactsWifehadachildwithneighborwhilemarriedtoH(Gerald);Biologicalfatherof
child(MichaelH.)soughtvisitationrightswithchild.
a. Geraldmovedforsummaryjudgment,whichwasgrantedbasedonCAs
presumptionofwhowasafatherifachildisbornwithinamarriage
b. MichaelarguedDPviolationclaimingthathehadalibertyinterestin
maintainingarelationshipwithhisdaughter
c. Basicallyyouonlyhave2yearstoestablishpaternity
2. Question:DoestheCAlawviolatetheDueProcessClausebydenyingapossible
biologicalfatherthechancetoestablishhispaternityofachildaftertwoyearshavepassed
sincethechild'sbirth?
3. HoldingSCOTUSheldthisstatutewaspermissible
a. Generaljudicialaversiontodeclaringchildrenillegitimate(affectsinheritance)
b. Footnote6JusticeScaliaproposedanewtestforsubstantivedueprocess;to
decidewhetherarightisfundamental(andthusprotected),courtsshouldfocuson
themostspecificleveloftraditionthatcanbeidentified.
i. OConnor+Kennedyrefusedtoconcurinn.6becauseitwastoorigid
c. VALIDITYOFMARRIAGE
i. Johnstonv.Johnston
1. Factscoreissue=propertydispute
a. WsoughtanannulmentcauseHwasalcoholicandlazyifmarriagewasinvalid,
Hhadnoclaimonthehouse
b. Trialcourtgrantedtheannulment
2. HoldingCourtofappealsdeterminedthatthefrauddidnotgototheveryessenceofthe
maritalrelationship[wouldhavebeensameoutcomeinIllinois]
3. Note:mostanaulmentsrelatetofactsdealingwithsexaspectsofmarriage.Annaulments
rarelygrantedforfraudulentmisrepresentationofcharacter,pastlife,orsocialstanding
d. TRADITIONALMODELOFMARRIAGE
i. Bradwellv.Illinois(1873)
1. Womannotadmittedtobarnotconstitutional
DIVORCE
I. ILLINOISMARRIAGE+DISSOLUTIONOFMARRIAGEACT
a. 401DissolutionofMarriage
i. JURISDICTIONmustliveinIllinoisfor:
1. 90daysbeforetheactionor90daysbeforetheproveup
2. 90daysfromfilingor90daysbeforethefinding(orenteringofjudgment)
ii. GROUNDS
1. NOFAULTDIVORCE
a. IrreconcilableDifferencesirreconcilabledifferenceshavecausethe
irretrievablebreakdownofthemarriage,andthecourtdeterminesthat
effortsatreconciliationhavefailedorthatfutureattemptsatreconciliation
wouldbeimpracticable.

i. Presumption:iflivedseparateandapartforcontinuousperiodof
6monthsbeforedissolutionofmarriagethanpresumedmet
requirementofirreconcilabledifferences
iii. Cantgetjudgmentfordivorceunlessthecourthasconsidered,approvedorreserved
thefollowing:
1. Allocationofparentalresponsiblites
2. Supportofchild
3. Maintenanceand
4. Dispositionofproperty
5. *thecourtshallenteradissolutionthatreservestheaboveifeither(1)agreedby
paries,or(2)motionofeitherpartyandfindingbycourtthatappropriate
circumstancesexist
iv. Deathofapartyafterentryofdissolutionbutbeforejudgmentonreservedissuesshall
notabatetheproceedings
b. 402LEGALSEPARATION402
i. GenerallyAnypersonlivingseparateandapartfromhisorherspousewithoutfault
mayhavearemedyforreasonablesupportandmaintenancewhiletheysoliveapart.
1. Neitherspousecanremarrywhilelegallyseparated(wouldhavetogetdivorcedto
remarry).Eitherspousecanseekdivorceduringalegalseparationproceedingor
afterjudgmentoflegalseparationhasbeenentered.
2. ReligiousReasonsMaybeappropriateifclientcannotgetdivorcedforreligious
reasons
ii. Commencementofthisaction,temporaryrelief,andtrialsshallbesameasactionof
dissolutionofmarriage
iii. SeparationAgreementcandraftagreementthatwillenableyoutoacquireproperty
separatelywhilelivingseparately,
1. alsocanapprovepropertysettlementthatpartiesrequestthecourttoincorporate
intothejudgment
a. Courtmaynotvalueorallocatepropertyintheabsenceofsuchan
agreement
b. Court can only disapprove of a disagreement if its unconscionable
c. Agreementofpropertyarenonmodifiable
iv. Judgmentajudgmentforlegalseparationwillbeenteredbycourt(doesnotbareither
partyfromfilingfordivorce)
c. PROVEUP403
i. OVERRIDINGCONSIDERATIONtrytogetclientsthroughthiswithout
embarrassment+acrimony
ii. VERIFIEDmustbeanaffidavitattheendstatingthattheinfopresentedistrue.
iii. ELEMENTS5/403(a)RoadmaptoProveUp
1. PersonalInformation:
a. Age,occupation,residence,lengthofresidingthere(foreachparty)
b. Date+locationofthemarriage
c. Whetheranyotherpetitionsfordissolutionareonfileanywhereelse (1stfiled
=1sttobeheard)
d. Names,ages,+addressesofalllivingchildren+whetherWiscurrently
pregnant
i. Whetheranypetitionsoractionsforcustodyarepending
anywhereelse

e. Jurisdictionalrequirements
2. GroundsMustsaythatirreconcilabledifferenceshavebeenmet
3. ListAnyArrangementsre:
a. ChildSupportcannotwaivechildsupport,itisthechildsright
b. Maintenanceofeitherspouse
c. Allocationofparentalresponsiblity
d. Dispositionofproperty
4. Relief:
a. Listthereliefrequestedi.e.,grantingdivorce
b. Wmayrequestuseofhermaidenname
c. Possiblepaymentoffees?
iv. ADDITIONALPARTIES
1. Under403(d)thecourtcanjoinadditionalparties(grandparents)ifnecessary
2. Maybeanissueif:
a. Childisincustodyofsomeoneelse(ex:grandparent)
b. Parentswhohaveloaned$$tooneofthespousesmaybejoined
3. Banksmaybejoinedifhomeisinforeclosure
v. Birfurcation
1. Statutesaysyouupondeterminingirreconcilabledifferences,courtmayallow
additionaltimetosettleremainingissues
2. Reservationcanreserveanissuetodetermineafterdivorceisentered
(bifurcation)
a. Firstmust
b. Statespecifictimeperiodforreservation
c. Rememberallcustodycasesmustbedecidedwithin18monthsoffiling
(unlessgoodcauseisshown
i.
d. Conciliation404
i. reconciliation,veryrarelydone;possibletomoveforconciliationconference
ii. mediationisdifferentfromconciliation
iii. meetingsareprivate
1.
e. EDUCATIONPROGRAMS404(1)
i. FOCUSontheChildrenisnowmandatorybeforedivorveorinpostjudgmentproceedings
1. Classteachesparentsabouttheimpactofthedivorceonthechildren
2. Musttakeclassearlyinthestagesofdivorce
ii. IndigentClientscostscanbewaivedifclientsareindigent
iii. DVCasesparentscanattendseparatesessions
f. 411CommencementofAction
i. inordertocommenceactionmustfileapraecipeforsummonswithclerk,payfilingfees,a
petitionmustbefiledwithin6monthsoranyextensionforgoodcauseshown
ii. PraecipeforSummons
1. Issuedincaseswherethecouplemaynotmoveforwardwiththedivorce
2. Divorceproceedingmustbefiledwithin6monthseithergoforwardorcase
dismissed

3. Summonsshallrecitethatpetitionerhascommenceddivorceandrequires
respondenttofileappearancenolaterthan30daysfrombeingservedandpleadto
petitionerspetitionw/n30daysfromdaythepetitionisfiled.
4. Mustservecopyofpettionwithin2daysoffiling
5. Praecipeforsummonsfiledwithoutpetitionshallbeservedonrespondentnolater
than30daysafteritsissuance;failuretodosoorwithanyextensionforgood
casueshowngrantedbycourtwillrequirecourttodismissthesuit
6. Filingofpraecipeforsummonsconstitutesthecommencementofactionthat
servesasgroundsforinvoluntarydismissalunderrulesofCPofasubsequently
filedpetitionfordissolutionofmarriageorlegalseparationnanothercounty.
g. PROCEDURALDETAILS
i. Ordergroundsarealwaystriedfirstattrial,thenallothermatters
ii. ProofofGroundsthecourtmustrequireadequateproofofgroundsevenifthe
respondentdidnotrequestabillofparticulars.403(f)
iii. Conciliation
iv. Mediationismandatory.
1. Exceptionongoodcauseshown,thecourtmayprohibitmediationorconciliation
oranyotherorderthatmightmakespousesmeetwithouttheirattorneyspresent
usuallycasesinvolvingDV,mentalillness,drugaddiction,etc.
v. PraecipeforSummons
1. Availableoptionunder411
2. Doesnotlistgroundsfordivorce
3. Issuedincaseswherethecouplemaynotmoveforwardwiththedivorce
4. Divorceproceedingmustbefiledwithin6monthseithergoforwardorcase
dismissed
h. FINALJUDGMENT413
i. Mustbeenteredwithin60daysofclosingofproofsorafteratrial
1. Thereisalsoanadditional30daysifneeded
2. Ifthereisanappeal,maintenancemuststillbepaideventhoughappealis
pending
3. If a party did change their name, then that party can ask to resume the use of their maiden
name
ii. Proveuptranscriptandjudgmentareenteredondifferentdays
iii. Divorceisnotfinalizeduntiljudgmentisentered
iv. Judgmentwillbefinalaslongasnopartyappeals
1. Ifsomeoneisappealingpartofit(custody)butnothejudment,thenthedivorceis
finalandtheotherpartiesarestillfreetogetmarried
v. Bothpartiesgetthejudgmentofdivorce(i.e.,nobodywins)
vi. Appeal:
1. Childsupportandmaintenancecannotbesuspendedifjudgmentisappealed
2. Eitherpartymayremarrywhileappealispendingaslongastheappealisnotbased
onthegroundsofthefinaljudgment
II. SupremeCourtRules
a. Rule 902. Pleadings
i. (a)ComplaintorPetition.Theinitialcomplaintorpetitioninachildcustodyorallocationofparental
responsibilitiesproceedingshallstate(1)whetherthechildinvolvedisthesubjectofanyotherchildcustodyor
allocationofparentalresponsibilitiesproceedingpendingbeforeanotherdivisionofthecircuitcourt,oranother

courtoradministrativebodyofIllinoisorofanyotherstate,anIndiantribe,oraforeigncountryand(2)
whetheranyorderaffectingthecustody,allocationofparentalresponsibilities,orvisitation,orparenting
timeofthechildhasbeenenteredbythecircuitcourtoranyofitsdivisions,orbyanothercourtor
administrativebodyofIllinoisorofanyotherstate,anIndiantribe,oraforeigncountry.Ifanychild
custodyorallocationofparentalresponsibilitiesproceedingispendingwithrespecttothechild,oranyorder
hasbeenenteredwithrespecttothecustody,allocationofparentalresponsibilities,orvisitation,orparenting
timeofthechild,theinitialcomplaintorpetitionshallidentifythetribunalinvolvedandthepartiestothe
action.
ii. (b) Verification of Initial Complaint or Petition. The plaintiff or petitioner in a child custody or allocation of
parental responsibilities proceeding shall verify the pleadings required by paragraph (a) of this rule. If the
plaintiff or petitioner is a public agency, the verification shall be on information and belief of the attorney filing
the pleading and shall state that reasonable efforts were made to obtain all information relevant to the matters
verified.
iii. (c) Answer or Appearance. In a child custody or allocation of parental responsibilities proceeding the
defendants (or respondents) answer, if required, shall include a verified disclosure of any relevant information
known to the defendant (or respondent) regarding any pending proceedings or orders described in paragraph (a)
of this rule. Any defendant or respondent who appears but is not required to file an answer in the child
custody or allocation of parental responsibilities matter shall be questioned under oath by the court at the
partys first appearance before the court regarding any proceedings or orders described in paragraph (a) of this
rule.
iv. (d) Continuing Duty. The parties have a continuing duty to disclose information relating to other pending child
custody or allocation of parental responsibilities proceedings or any existing orders affecting the
custody, allocation of parental responsibilities, or visitation, or parenting time of the child, and shall
immediately disclose to the court and the other parties to the proceeding any such information obtained after
the initial pleadings, answer or appearance.
b. Rule 924. Parenting Education Requirement
i. (a) Program. Each circuit or county shall create or approve a parenting education program
consisting of at least four hours covering the subjects of visitationparenting
time and custody allocation of parental responsibilities and their impact on children.
ii. (b) Mandatory Attendance. Except when excused by the court for good cause shown, all parties
shall be required to attend and complete an approved parenting education program as soon as
possible, but not later than 60 days after an initial case management conference. In the case of a
default or lack of jurisdiction over the respondent, only the petitioning party is required to attend but
if the respondent later enters an appearance or participates in postjudgment proceedings, then the
party who has not attended the program shall attend. The court shall not excuse attendance unless
the reason is documented in the record and a finding is made that excusing one or both parents from
attendance is in the best interests of the child.
iii. (c) Sanctions. The court may impose sanctions on any party willfully failing to complete the
program.
c. Rule
III. EXTRADEFENSESTODIVORCE
i. Recriminationdefenseindivorcewhentheaccusedpartymakesasimilaraccusation
againstthe.Prettymuchsayingbothspousesarebad,ifthisiscase,thennodivorce.
Recriminationasabartodivorcehasbeenexpresslylimitedorabolishedbystatute(in
Illinois)orbycaselawinmoststates.
1. AbolishedinIL(403)
2. Sincethemustbeaninnocentandinjuredspouse,ifcansuccessfullyshow
thatthepartiesareequallyatfault,thenneitherpartycanstatethatheorsheisthe
innocentparty.
3. Equallyatfault
ii. Condonationconditionalforgivenessusualproof=sexualrelations
1. AfterfilingcondonationhasbeenabolishedinIllinoisonlyfortheperiodafter
someonehasfiledfordivorce.Afteronespousehasfiledfordivorce,shecansex
withhersoontobeexhusbandallshewants.

2. Beforefilingifsomeonethreatenstofilefordivorceandthenletstheopposing
partymovebackin,opposingpartycanarguethattheywereforgiven.
3. InIllinoisyoucannotarguecondonationafterpetitionfordivorcehasbeen
filed.CondonationwillonlypotentiallyapplybeforethepetitionisfiledinIllinois.
iii. Collusionifthepartiescolludejusttoobtainajudgmentofdissolution,thecourtcannot
renderdissolution/legalseparation/declarationofinvalidity.750ILCS5/407,408
1. StillprohibitedinIllinois
2. Bothpartiescheatedthestatedivorceisvacated
3. 407Courtmustbesatisfiedthatanyadmissionsbytherespondentwerenot
madefraudulentlyorwiththeintenttocolludewiththepetitioner
4. 408Prohibitscollusion
CUSTODY
I. ILLINOISSTATUTES
a. Definitions600
i. CaretakingfunctionsIncludebutarenotlimitedto
1. Nutritionalneeds
2. Managingbedtimeandroutines
3. Caringwhenchildissickorinjured
4. Extracurricularactivities
5. Physicalsafety
6. Transportation
7. Protectingtheirdevelopmentalneedsincluding
a. Motorandlanguageskills
b. Toilettraining
c. Selfconfidence
d. Maturation
8. Discipline
9. Manners
10. Chores
11. School
12. Medicaldecisions
13. Helpingchildtodeveloprelationshipwithfamilymembers
14. Daycare
15. Moralandethicalguidance
16.
ii. Relocationmeansachangeinresidencefromchildscurrentprimaryresidencelocated
inCook,DuPage,Kane,Lake,McHenry,orWilltoanewresidencewithinthisstatethat
ismorethan25milesfromchildscurrentaddress
1. ifnotinoneoftheabovecounties,thenitmeansamovemorethan50milesfrom
currentaddress
2. orachangeofresidenceoutofstatethatismorethan25miles
a. canmoveoutofstateaslongasnotmorethan25milesfromcurrent
residence(stillinthejurisdictionofIL)
iii. religiousupbringingthechoiceofreligionordenominationofareligion,religious
schooling,religioustraining,orparticipationinreligiouscustomsorpractices

iv. rightoffirstrefusalhasthemeaningprovidedbysubsection(b)of602.3
b. JURISDICTION+COMMENCEMENTOFPROCEEDING601.2
i. Howdotheybegin?
1. Throughfilingofa:
a. Dissolution/invaliditypetitionisfiledandifminorsareinvolved
b. eitherapaternityactionorpetitionforallocationofparental
responsibilities
i. childdoesnothavetobeinphysicalcustodyofchildrenandit
couldalsobefiledbyanonparent
ii. Whocanfile?
1. Nonparentsbyfilingincountyinwhichchildispermanentresidentandifthe
childisnotinthecustodyoftheparent;therehasbeenvoluntaryrelinquishmentof
thechild
2. Stepparentsifandonlyif
a. (1)Theparenthavingmajorityparentingtimeisdeceased,disabled,
cannotperformthedutiesofparent
b. (2)stepparentprovidedforcare,control,andwelfaretothechildbefore
proceedings;
c. (3)childwishestolivewithstepparent;and
d. (4)itisallegedtobeinthebestinterestsandwelfareofthechildtolivewiththe
stepparent.
3. Grandparentsifoneparentisdeceased,theparentorstepparentofthatparent
mayseekcustodyifoneormoreoffollowingexistedattimeofparentsdeath:
a. theotherparentisabsentfromthemaritalhomeforatleastamonthw/o
thespouseknowinghis/herwhereabouts
b. otherparentisinprison,or
c. orotherparenthasbeenconvictedofviolentact/DVagainstdeceased
parentorchildorreceivedsupervisionorbeenconvictedofviolatingan
orderofprotectionforthedeceasedparentorthechild
iii. mustservenoticeandcopyofpetitiontochildsparent,guardian,personwithcustodyor
anypersonwithactionpendinginrespecttothechildwithin30daysbeforehearing
c. 602.3RIGHTOFFIRSTREFUSAL
i. Anytimeaparentknowsinadvancehe/shewillbeabsentforasignificantperiod
andmakesplansforchildcare,thecustodialparentmaybeobligatedtoextendthe
opportunitytotheotherparenttoprovidethatchildcare.
ii. Thepartiesmayagreeorthecourtmayaward
iii. Courtshallconsidermakingprovisionsforfollowing:(1)thelengthoftimethat
invokesthisright,(2)notificationtotheotherparentandhis/herresponse,(3)
transportationrequirements,and(4)anyotheractionnecessarytoprotectand
promotethebestinterestofthechild
iv. Canbegrantedininitialparentingorderorfinaljointparentingagreement
D. 602.5.ALLOCATIONOFPARENTALRESPONSIBILITIES:DECISIONMAKING
I. Bothparentsdonothavetobegivendecisionmakingresponsibilities
II. Majorareas
1. Education:
2. Religion
A. Ifjudgedecidesthis,thenthejudgemustlooktotheexpressorimplied
agreementoftheparties

I. Weretheydoingsomethingthatindicatedsomesortofagreement
II. Shalllookatevidenceastoparentspastconductintheabsenceof
expressorimpliedagreement
B. Ifnotpastagreement(expressorimplied),thennoonewillbegiven
decisionmakingauthorityofreligion
C. Soifthereisnoagreement,andnooneallocatedresponsibility,thenit'smost
likelyeachparentwilldowhatitwantstodowhenithasthekidsandthecourt
probablywon'tdoanythingaboutitifthereisAbsentharmtothechild
3. Medical/Health
4. Extracurricular
A. Oneofissueswiththisiswhentheoneinchargeofthisdecisionconflicts
withtheothersparentingtime
III. BESTINTERESTSOFTHECHILD602(c)15factors
1. NotExhaustiveListcourtsarenotlimitedtothefactorslistedinthestatute allrelevant
factors
2. ListedConsiderations:
a. (1)Wishesofthechild,takingintoaccountmaturityandabilitytomake
reasoneddecision
i. (usuallyfromGAL/CR,sometimesincamerainterview),
b. (2)Childsadjustmentathome,school,andinthecommunity
c. (3)mentalandphysicalhealthofallindividualsinvolved
d. (4)theabilityoftheparentstocooperatetomakedecisions,orthelevelof
conflictb/wthepartiesthatmayaffecttheirabilitytosharedecision
making
e. (5)thelevelofeachparentsparticipationinpastsignificantdecision
makingwithrespecttochild
f. (6)anyprioragreementorcourseofconductb/wtheparentsrelatingto
decisionmakingwithrespecttothechild
g. (7)Wishesoftheparents,
h. (8)thechildsneeds
i. (9)thedistanceb/wtheparentsresidences,thecostanddifficultof
transportingthechild,eachparentsandthechildsdailyschedules,and
theabilityoftheparentstocooperateinthearrangement
j. (10)whetherarestrictionondecisionmakingisappropriateunder603.10
k. (11)Willingnessandabilityofeachparenttofacilitateandencouragea
closeandcontinuingrelationshipbetweentheotherparentandthechild
l. (12)Physicalviolenceorthreatofphysicalviolence,
m. (13)theoccurrenceofabuseagainstthechildorothermemberofthe
childshousehold
n. (14)whethertheparentisasexoffender,andifso,theexactnatureofthe
offenseandwhat,ifany,treatmentinwhichtheparenthassuccessfully
participated;and
o. (15)anyotherfactorthatthecourtexpresslyfindsrelevant
iv. aparentshallhavesoleresponsibilityformakingroutinedecisionwithrespecttothechild
andforemergencydecisionsaffectingthechildshealthandsafetyduringtheparents
parentingtime
v. CourtWillNOTConsiderconductofapresentorproposedcustodianthatdoesnotaffect
his/herrelationshipwiththechildatissue(i.e.,courtwillnotconsidermaritalmisconduct)
e. 602.10ParentingPlan

i. Parentsmustfileaplanofhowtheywillmanagethings
ii. Parentswithin120daysafterfilingservice,mustfilejointlyorseparatelyaproposedplan.
unlessgoodcauseshown
1. ifnoparentingplanfiledmusthaveanevidenturyhearing
iii. mediationshallbeorderedtohelpwithplan
iv. Planmustbeinwriting,signedbybothparties,anditisbindingonthecourtunlessthe
courtfoundthatitwasunconscionable
1. CleanupbillStartingjan1stitisnotbindingifthecourtfindsitisnotinthebest
interestofthechild
a. Unconscionableissuchahighstandard,soteacherlikesthebestinterest
b. Socourtcan'tturndownagreedplanunlessnotinbestinterestofthechild
i. Judgeslikeagreements/lovedeals.Adealisadeal.Sothejudges
likethemtoforcethemtokeepthatdeal
v. Ifcourtturnsdowntheparentingplan,theymuststatewhyandholdanevidentiaryhearing
onwhatshouldbeintheplan
vi. Parentingplanatminimummusthavingfollowingprovisions
1. Whomakesdecisions
2. Childslivingarrangementsandparentingtimeforeachparentincluding:
a. aschedule,
b. andamethod/formulafordeterminingsuchscheduleinsufficientdetailto
beenforcedinasubsequentproceeding
3. amediationprovisionifthereisdisagreementsorproposedrelocation
a. Lifechanges,andwhensomethinghappens,theyaresupposedtogoto
mediationtoseeiftheycanresolvethisexceptifoneparenthasallofthe
parentingdecisionmaking
4. Everyonehasrighttomedical,school,anddentalrecords,unlessexpresslydenied
bycourtorder
5. Designationofparentwhohadmajorityofparentingtimeforcertainlawsthat
aregovernedbycustody
6. Childsresidentialaddressforschoolenrollment
7. Mustlistaddressandphonenumberunlessthereisdomesticviolence
8. Ifsomeonemoves,theymustgiveotherparent60daysnotice,unlesssuchnotice
impracticable,thengiveearliestdatepracticable.Noticeshouldgive:dateof
intendedchangeofresidenceandaddressofnewresidence
9. Provisionsfornotifyingotherparentofemergencies,travelplans,andotherchild
relatedissues
10. Transportationarrangements
11. Howthepartieswillcommunicatewithchildwhenthechildiswiththeotherparty
12. Provisionsforresolvingissuesarisingfromparentsfuturerelocation
13. Waytomodifytheparentingplanifsomethinghappens
14. Rightoffirstrefusualifdesired,inbestinterestofchildanditmustinclude:
a. Lengthandkindofchildcarerequirementsinvokingright
b. Notificationtootherparentandhis/herresponse
c. Transportationrequirements;and
d. Anyotherprovisionrelatedtoexerciseofright
15. Catchallanyotherprovisionthataddressesthechild'sbestinterestsorthatwill
otherwisefacilitatecooperationbetweentheparents.
vii. Do not have to disclose addresses if there isDV
viii. Court shall conduct trail or hearing to determine a plan that maximizes the childs
relationship and access to both parents and that plan is in best interestalso court
shall take parenting plans into consideration when determining parenting time

f. 602.11. Access to Health Care, Child Care, and School Records by Parents
i. Unless there is order of protection or similar then any parent can have access
g. 603.5. Temporary Orders

i. Court can make a temporary allocation
ii. We don't do a temporary orders often
iii. The temporary orders end at the end of the case or if it has been withdrawn unless
a parent moves to continue the action for allocation of parental responsibilities
filed under Section 601.5
h. 603.10RESTRICTIONOFPARENTALRESPONSIBILITES
i. NewstatutePreponderancestandard(changedfromclearandconvincing)
ii. Inordertodoit,courtmustfindthatthenewconductseriouslyendangersthechilds
mental,moral,andphysicalhealth
iii. Ifjudgedoeslimit,shecanordercertainremedies
1. Reduction,adjustmentofdecisionmakingresponsibilitiesorparentingtime/both
2. Canordersupervisedvisitation
3. Neutralexchange
4. Restrainaparentscommunicationwithorproximitytootherparentorthechild
5. requireparentotabstainformalcoholornonprescribeddrugsduringparenting
timeorspecifictimebeforeparentingtime
6. Restricting the presence of specific persons while a parent is exercising
parenting time with the child
7. Can require DV, drug, alcohol or other treatment
8. Catchallexception
Courtscanmodifyanorderrestrictingparentalresponsibilitiesif,afterahearing,the
courtfindsbyapreponderanceoftheevidencethatamodificationisinthechild'sbestinterests
basedon(i)achangeofcircumstancesthatoccurredaftertheentryofanorderrestrictingparental
responsibilities;or(ii)conductofwhichthecourtwaspreviouslyunawarethatseriouslyendangers
thechild.Indeterminingwhethertomodifyanorderunderthissubsection,thecourtmustconsider
factorsthatinclude,butneednotbelimitedto,thefollowing:
(1)abuse,neglect,orabandonmentofthechild;
(2)abusingorallowingabuseofanotherpersonthathadanimpactuponthechild;
(3)useofdrugs,alcohol,oranyothersubstanceinawaythatinterfereswiththeparent's
abilitytoperformcaretakingfunctionswithrespecttothechild;and
(4)persistentcontinuinginterferencewiththeotherparent'saccesstothechild,exceptfor
actionstakenwithareasonable,goodfaithbeliefthattheyarenecessarytoprotectthe
child'ssafetypendingadjudicationofthefactsunderlyingthatbelief,providedthatthe
interferingparentinitiatesaproceedingtodeterminethosefactsassoonaspracticable.
iv. Anordergrantingparentingtimetoaparentorvisitationtoanothermayberevokedifthe
courtfindsthatthatparentorotherpersonisfoundtohaveknowinglyusedparentingtime
tofacilitatecontactb/wthechildandotherparentwhoisbarredfromcontactwithchild.
v. Ordersforparentingtimeorrestrictedparentingtimehasspeciallanguage
vi. Noparentingtimetosexoffenders,incarceratedofsexoffence,parole,UNLESSthereis
treatment
vii. Novisitationforfirstdegreemurderersunlessinbestinterest
i. 604.10 Interviews; evaluations; investigation
i. INCAMERAINTERVIEW
1. Attorneysarepresent(unlessotherwiseagreedbyparties)andcourtreporteris
present

a. Ifoneparentisnotrepresentedandtheotheris,thenthejudgecanmeetin
chambersalonewiththechild,butthecourtreportermuststillbepresent
2. Transcriptmusthavetranscript,butjudgecanpreventaparentfromgettinga
transcriptoftheincamerainterview
3. Costofcourtreporterpaidbcourtcleanupbilltofixthis
ii. Courtsprofessionalthejudgescanapptaprofessiontohelpindeterminingthechilds
bestinterestsandthisprofessionalgivesarecommendation.Whatmustbeinthereportis
listedinthestatute
1. Costspaidbyoneormoreoftheparites
2. Professionalshalltestifyascourtswitnessandsubjecttocross
3. Theprofessionalshallsendhisorherreporttoallattorneysofrecord,andtoany
partynotrepresented,atleast60daysbeforethehearingontheallocationof
parentalresponsibilities.Thecourtshallexamineandconsidertheprofessional's
reportonlyafterithasbeenadmittedintoevidenceorafterthepartieshavewaived
theirrighttocrossexaminetheprofessional.
a. Judgesgotupsetbythecrossexaminerequirement,thecleanupbill
allowsthemtoseethereportbefore
4. Partiescanretaintheirownexpertsiftheywant...theseexpertsmustputinthe
samethingsinreportsofcourtprofessional
5. Thecourtcandesignatewhopaysfortheseindependentexperts
6.
iii. EVALUATIONS
1. enablesjudgestoorderevaluationstoassistindetermingbestintersts(canbe
expensivecostssharedbyparties)
2. maybeorderedinpaceoforinadditiontoprofessionalundersubsectionb
3. iftheevaluationdoesntgoyourway,youcanaskforyourown
4. evaluationreporthascertainrequirementslistedunderstatutue
5. mustbesenttopartiesnolessthan60daysbeforehearing
6. canbecalledasawitness
iv. Investigationbymotioncourtmayorderaninvestigationandreportbyanyagency
privateentity,orindividualdeemedappropriatebythecourt.Thispersonmusthave
expertiseinareaofallocationofparentalresponsibilities.
v. 605allowsthecourttoorderfurtherinvestigationsthroughDCFS[notusedasfrequently]
1. Accessibilityeverypartyreceivesacopyofthesereports
vi.
j. AppointmentofGALorCR601(f)
i. GALrepresentsthechildsbestinterests;makesarecommendation
ii. ChildsRepresentativerepresentthechildswishes;hastoconsider,butisnotboundby
thechildswishes;draftevidencebased,pretrialmemorandum
k.
i. Whychange
1. Aimedatreducingthewin/losesentimentsassociatedwithawardsofcustody
2. Thiseliminatesthetermsjointorsolelegalcustody,residentialcustody,and
visitation
3. Parentingtime

a. Timeduringwhichparentresponsibletoexercisecaretakingfunctionsand
nonsignificantdecisionmaking
4. ParentingPlan
a. Writtenagreementthatallocatessignificantresponsibilities,parentingtime
orboth
b. Pg.934
l. CUSTODY606.5
i. ReceivePrioritythesecasesjumpaheadofothersthatdonotinvolvecustody
ii. Expensesjudgecanorderwhopaysforevaluation+costsofwitnessbeingpresent
iii. Nonhearsaycourtcanconsideroutofcourtstatementsbychildrenrelatingtoabuseor
neglectthatmightotherwisebehearsay
iv. BenchTrialjudgesdeterminequestionsoflawandfact(nojury)
v. ExcludePubliccourtcandecidetoexcludethepublicinthechildsbestinterest,but
maystilladmitanyonewhohasadirectandlegitimateinterestinthecase
vi. SealedRecordsrecordscanbesealedtoprotectthechildren
m. 606.10. Designation of Custodian for Purposes of Other Statutes
i. solelyforpurposesofstateandfederallaw,theirwillbeadesignationofcustodian,only
parentwithmajorityofparentingtime.Alsoitdoesnoteffectparentsrightsor
responsibilitiesundertheplan
n. MODIFICATION610.5
i. Presumptionthattheallocationorderenteredwillstayinplacefor2years
1. Theremustbeseriousendangermenttochildsmental,moralorphysicalhealthor
emotionalhealthbeforeapartycanfilemotionformodificationduring2year
period
2. Exceptiononeparentmovesinwithasexoffender
ii. PreponderanceoftheEvidenceneedpreponderanceofevidencetogetmodification
1. Unknownmustincludefacts/evidencethatwasnotknownatthetimethecustody
judgmentwasentered
2. MustbeChangeinCircumstances+BestInterestofChild
iii. Canmodifywithoutchangeofcircumstancesif(1)modificationinchildsbest
interestsand(2)anyofthefollowingisproven:
1. Modificationreflectsactualarrangementwhichchildhasbeenreceivingcare,
withoutparentobjection,forthelast6mothspriortofiling
2. Modificationisminoror
3. Modificationisnecessarytomodifyanagreedparentingplanorallocation
judgmentthatthecourtwouldnothaveorderedorapprovedhadthecourtbeen
awareofcircumstancesatthetimeoftheorderor
4. Thepartiesagreetothemodification
iv. FrivolousClaimsifonepartykeepsfilingfrivolousmotionstomodify,thejudgecan
orderthatthatpartypayattorneysfees
1. Ifcourtfindsonehasfilefrivolousclaims,thecourtcanbartheparentforfiling
formodificationforaperiodoftime

v. **notsureifappliesfromoldoutline ServicePeoplespecialrules;ifsomeonehasto
bedeployed,the2yearsdoesnotapply
II. ILLINOISSUPREMECOURTRULES
a. RULE901GeneralRules
i. Expeditedhearingforchildcustodyhearings
ii. Mustincludespecifictimesanddates
iii. Cannotgrantcontinuancesunlesstheresareallygoodreason
iv. Advisementcannottakeacaseunderadvisementforlongerthan60daysmustrulew/n
60daysoftrial
v. Appealsmustbeexpedited
b. RULE905Mediation
i. AllpartiesmustattendmediationUNLESSimpedimentsuchasDV,substanceabuse,or
mentalhealth
ii. Therehastobespecifictrainingsformediators
iii. Thisrulecontainsadditionalprovisionsformanagingmediationprogramming
iv. Yearreporttoseehowitsgoing
c. RULE922TimeLimitations
i. Allcustodycasesmustberesolvedwithin18monthsfromtimeofservice
ii. Maybeextendedforgoodcause
III. CASELAW
a. InreMarriageofCarney(CA1979)
i. Facts
1. HandWmarriedandhad2kids,soonafterkids,WrelinquishedcustodytoH
2. TrialcourtjudgerepeatedlyaskedHabouthisphysicaldisabilityandmadehisdecisionin
partbasedonfathersdisability
ii. Holdingabuseofdiscretion
1. Aphysicalhandicapthataffectsaparentsabilitytoparticipatewithhischildreninpurely
physicalactivitiesisnotachangedcircumstanceofsufficientrelevanceandmaterialityto
renderitessentialexpedientthatcustodybemodified.
2. Ifapersonhasaphysicalhandicapitisimpermissibleforthecourtsimplytorelyonthat
conditionasprimafacieevidenceofthepersonsunfitnessasaparentorofprobable
detrimenttothechild
3. Inallcases,thecourtmustviewthehandicappedpersonasanindividualandthefamily
asawhole.
4. Custodydeterminationshouldbemadeonconduct,notconjecture

b. Hollanv.Hollan
i. Onessexualorientationdoesnotmatterincustodyaslongasitdoesnothavean
impactonthechild
c. Palmore v. sidoti
i. The Fourteenth Amendment does not permit the
consideration of potential effects do to racial prejudice
against mixed-race families in child custody determinations
ii. Hypo: What if the mother is african american, the father is white. They are asking
for allocation of parental responsibility. Could you argue that

1. This is a real case: 2006 trial court gave sole custody to the african
american mother. Said the mother could provide the better cultural
competency
a. It is a factor and cannot be the only factor and cannot outweigh the
relevant facts.
d. Kendallv.Kendall(MA1997)
i. Facts
1. H=devoutChristian,W=devoutJew
2. ChildrenidentifiedasbeingJewish
3. JPAlimitedwaysinwhichHcouldpracticehisfaith
ii. HoldingaffirmedJPAslimitations
1. Courtfounddemonstrableevidenceofsubstantialharmtothechildren,andcourtrejected
sargumentsthatthedivorcejudgmentburdenedhisrighttopracticereligion
2. Ifacourtfindssubstantialharmtothechildren,aparentmaybelimited(bycourtorder)
inthewaythattheycanpracticetheirfaith.
a. Ifthereisntsubstantialharm,eachparenthastherighttoexposethechildrento
theirownreligiousbeliefs.
e. Puseyv.Pusey(UT1986)
i. ender years doctrine, which presumes that during a childs tender years (i.e., under
6-8) the mother should have custody of the child.
1. Foundtenderyearspresumptionunconstitutional
ii. Maternalpreference=nolongeravalidbasis
f. InrecustodyofHalls(Wash,2005)
i. Strongpresumptionagainstmodificationbecausechangesinresidenceshighlydisruptiveto
children
g. Hassenstabv.Hassenstab(NE1997)
i. Facts
1. HsoughtmodificationinpartbasedonWshomosexualrelationship
2. HalsopresentedevidencethatWhadbeensuicidal7yearsbefore
3. Childexpressedtocourtthatshewantedtostaywithmother
ii. Holdingchangeincircumstanceshadnotoccurred
1. Custodyofaminorchildwillnotbemodifiedunlesstherehasbeenamaterialchangeof
circumstancesshowingthatthecustodialparentisunfitorthatthebestinterestsofthe
minorchildrequiresuchaction
a. Thepartyseekingmodificationofcustodybearstheburdenofshowingthata
materialchangeincircumstanceshasoccurred
i. Mustdemonstrateharmtochild
ii. Unlesstheresharmtochild,nomodification

PARENTINGTIME(f/k/avisitation)
I. ILLINOISSTATUTES
a. STANDARDS+PROCEDURE
i. AllocatedaccordingtoBIstandard
ii. Unlessparentscomeupwithplan,courtswill
iii. BothparentspresumedtobefitUNLESScourtfindsbypreponderancethatparents
exerciseofparentingtimewouldseriouslyendangerchild
iv. 602.8
1. Evenifyoudontgetsignificantparentaldecisionmakingresponsibility,youll
getparentingtimeUNLESSseriousendangerment
v. BOPtoModifyVisitation/Custody
1. Clear+Convincingevidence
2. Thattherehasbeenachangeincircumstances+
3. Thatmodificationisnecessaryforthemental,physical,andemotionalhealthof
child
vi. ContemptofCourt
1. Everycontemptiscivil/criminal+direct/indirect
2. Contemptuousactthatbringstheauthorityofthecourtintodisrepute
3. Directeverythingoccursrightinfrontofthejudge,nooutsideproofnecessary
4. Indirecthavetoputonevidencetoshowwhathappened(ex:failuretopaychild
support)
5. Criminaltopunish[withoutjurycanfineupto$5,000+putinjailfor6months]
6. Civiltoforcesomeonetodosomething
a. Thepersonisbeingforcedmusthavethekeytothejailcellintheirpocket
b. IfXdoesnothavetheabilitytomeetthecourtsdemands,cannotlock
themup
b. PARENTINGTIMEVISITATION
i. Entitledparentsareentitledtoreasonablevisitationwiththeirchildiftheydontget
custody
ii. Exceptionunlessvisitationwouldendangerseriouslythechildswelfare
iii. Modificationvisitationcanbemodifiedwhenitsinthebestinterestofthechild610
iv. Restrictionvisitationcanberestrictedorlimitedifthereisanissuerelatedtosafety
602.8,602.7(10)
C. 602.7.ALLOCATIONOFPARENTALRESPONSIBILITIES:PARENTINGTIME
i. Restrictions:presumedthatparentsarefitandshallnotplacerestrictionsonparentingtime
unlessiffindsbypreponderanceoftheevidencethataparentsexerciseofparentingtime
wouldseriouslyendangerthechildsphysical,mental,moraloremotionhealth.
ii. Samebestinterestfactors(butonemore,notexhaustive)listagain:
a. (1) thewishesofeachparentseekingparentingtime
b. (2)Wishesofthechild,takingintoaccoutmaturityandabilitytomake
reasoneddecision
i. (usuallyfromGAL/CR,sometimesincamerainterview),
c. (3)theamountoftimeeachparentspentperfomringcaretakingfunctions
withrespecttothechildinthe24monthsprecidingthefilingofany
petitionforallocationofparentalresponsibilitiesor,ifthechildisunder2
yearsofage,sincethechildsbirth;

d. (4)anyprioragreementorcourseofconductb/wtheparentscaretaking
functionswithrespecttothechild
e. (5)theinteractionandinterrelationshipofthechildwithhisorher
parentsandsiblingsandwithanyotherpersonwhomaysignificantly
affectthechildsbestinterests
f. (6)Childsadjustmentathome,school,andinthecommunity
g. (7)mentalandphysicalhealthofallindividualsinvolved
h. (8)thechildsneeds
i. (9)thedistanceb/wtheparentsresidences,thecostanddifficultof
transportingthechild,eachparentsandthechildsdailyschedules,and
theabilityoftheparentstocooperateinthearrangement
j. (10)whetherarestrictiononparentingtimeisappropriate
k. (11)Physicalviolenceorthreatofphysicalviolencebythechildsparent
directedagainstthechildorothermemberofthechildshousehold
l. (12)thewillingnessandabilityofeachparenttoplacetheneedsofthe
childaheadofhisorherownneeds
m. (13)Willingnessandabilityofeachparenttofacilitateandencouragea
closeandcontinuingrelationshipbetweentheotherparentandthechild,
n. (14)theoccurrenceofabuseagainstthechildorothermemberofthe
childshousehold
o. (15)whethertheparentisasexoffender,andifso,theexactnatureofthe
offenseandwhat,ifany,treatmentinwhichtheparenthassuccessfully
participated;and
p. (16)thetermsofaparentsmilitaryfamilycareplanthataparentmust
completebeforethedeploymentifaparentisamemberoftheUSForces
whoisbeingdeployed,and
q. (17)anyotherfactorthatthecourtexpresslyfindsrelevant
iii. CourtWillNOTConsiderconductofapresentorproposedcustodianthatdoesnotaffect
his/herrelationshipwiththechildatissue(i.e.,courtwillnotconsidermaritalmisconduct)
iv. (d)Substitutevisitation:uponmotion,courtmayallowparentwhoisdeployedto
designateapersonknowntochildtoexercisesubstitutevisitationonbehalfofdeployed
parentifcourtdeterminesitsinchildsbestinterest
1. Courtshallconsiderallbestinterestfactorsasitappliestosubstituteperson.
2. DVaddresscanbeprotectedandneutralplace
d. 602.8PARENTINGTIMEbyparentsnotallocatedsignificantdecisionmakingresponsiblies
i. Ifaparentdoesnotgetsignificantparentalresponsibilities,youcanstillgetsignificant
parentingtimeUNLESSitendangersphysical,mental,moral,orimpairs
1. Presumptionthatchildshouldspendtimewitheachparent
2. DVaddresscanbeprotectedandneutralplace
e. 602.9VISITATIONBYNONPARENTS
i. 602.9(a)definitions
1. electroniccommunicationcanbeordered
2. siblingbothwhole,half,step
3. stepparent:meanspersonmarriedtoachildparent,includedmarriedtochilds
parentpriortodeath
4. visitationtimespentb/wchildandthegrandparent,sibling,stepparentorany
persondesignatedundersectiondof602.7
ii. 602.9(b)(4)PresumptionforParentinmakingadeterminationunderthissection,there
isarebuttablepresumptionthatafitparentsactionsanddecisionsregarding

grandparent/sibling/stepparentvisitationarenotharmfultothechildsmental,physical,
andemotionalhealth
1. BOP=petitionerpetitionermustestablishharm
2. Showthatnovisitswillcauseundueharmtochildsphysical,emotional,ormental
health
iii. 602.9(b)(5)factorsconsideredforVisitation
1. Preferencesofthechild
2. Mentalandphysicalhealthofchild
3. Mentalandphysicalhealthofgrandparent/greatgrandparent/sibling/stepparent
4. Lengthandqualityofpriorrelationshipbetweenthechildandpetitioner
5. Thegoodfaithofthepetitioner
6. Thegoodfaithofthepersondenyingthevisitation
7. Thequantityofthevisitationtimerequestedandthepotentialadverseimpactthatthe
visitationwouldhaveonthechildscustomaryactivities
8. Anyotherfactthatestablishesthatthelossoftherelationshipbetweenthepetitionerand
thechildislikelytoharmthechildsmental,physical,oremotionalhealth,and
9. Whethervisitationcanbestructuredinawaytominimizethechildsexposuretoconflicts
b.wtheadults
iv. 602.9(b)(6)Adoptionifthereisanadoption,tentherelationshipissevered.Ifthepersons
whoadoptedthechildisrelatedtothechild,thenanypersonwhowasrelatedtothechild
asgrandparent,greatgrandparent,orsimblingpriortotheadoptionshallhavestandingto
bringanactionforvisitation
v. 602.9(c)(1)GRANDPARENTS,GREATGRANDPARENTS,+SIBLINGS+STEP
PARENET
1. Ifyouarepetitioningparentthengrandparentvisitingtimecutsintoyourparenting
time
2. Agechildmustbeayearorolder
3. Standinggrandparents,greatgrandparents,+siblings(halftoo)canpetition
4. Canaskforvisitationoradoption
5. UnreasonableDenialcanpetitionforvisitationifthereisanunreasonabledenial
ofvisitationbyaparentthatcausesunduemental,physicaloremotionalharmto
thechildandoneofthefollowingconditionsexists:
a. (1)Childsotherparentisdeceasedormissingfor90days,
b. (2)Parentisincompetentasamatteroflaw,
c. (3)Parenthasbeenincarceratedfor3monthsprecedingfiling,
d. (4)ifparentsaredivorcedorseparated,andatleastoneparentsaysitsok
forgrandparent/siblingtovisit,
i. Thisvisitationcannotdiminishthevisitationofthenoncustodialparent
e. (5)ifparentsarenotmarried,theparentsarenotlivingtogether,andthe
petitionerisagrandparent,great,grandparent,step,parent,orsiblingof
thechild,andparentagehasbeenestablished
vi. 602.9(c)(3)Additionalfactorsthatshouldbeconsidered
1. whetherthechildresidedwiththepetitionforatleast6consecutivemothswithor
withoutaparentpresent
2. whetherthechildhadfrequentandregularcontactorvisitationwiththepetitioner
foratleast12consecutivemonths,and
3. whetherthegrandparent,greatgrandparent,siblingorstepparentwasaprimary
caretakerforthechildforaperiodofatleast6mothswithinthe24monthperiod
immediatelybeforetheproceeding

vii. Modificationnomodificationofordersfor2yearsunlessseriousendangerment
1. unlessbystipulationoftheparties,nomotiontomodifyasgrandparent/sibling
visitationordermaybemadeearlierthan2yearsafterthedatetheorderwasfiled,
unlessthecourtpermitsittobemadeonthebasisofaffidavitsthatthereisreason
tobelievethechildspresentenvironmentmayseriouslyendangerthechilds
mental,physical,oremotionalhealth
2. Clear+Convincingneedclear+convincingevidencethatfactshavearisen
sincetheorderwasenteredorthatwereunknowntothecourtatthetime,thata
changeofcircumstancesofthechildorhis/herparentandthatmodificationis
necessarytoprotectthemental,physical,andemotionalhealthofchild
a. Parentscanalwayspetitiontomodifyvisitationuponchanged
circumstanceswhennecessarytopromotethechildsbestinterest
3. AttorneysFeesshallbeassessedagainstapartyseekingmodificationofthe
orderifthecourtfindsthatthemodificationisvexatious/harassment
viii. (d)+(f) Cannotbegrantedvisitationifasexoffenderorfirstdegreemurderer
ix. Summaryhastobeanunreasonabledenialtograndparents/siblings/stepparents+harm
tothechild+deferencegiventofitparentsdetermination
f. 607.5ABUSEOFALLOCATEDPARENTINGTIME
i. ExpeditedProcedureprovidedforenforcementofcourtorderedvisitation
ii. AGAL,childrep,orparentcanfile
iii. VisitationAbuseoccurswhenapartyhaswillfullyandwithoutjustification:
1. (1)deniedanotherpartyvisitationassetforthbythecourt,or
2. (2)exercisedhisorhervisitationrightsinamannerthatisharmfultothechildor
thechildscustodian
iv. Ifcourtfindsbypreponderancethatsomeoneisnotcomplyingwithparentingtime,court
couldissueorder(9options):
1. Additiontermstopreviousorder
2. Requirementofbothoroneofpartiestodoparentingeducation
3. Requireindividualorfamilycounseling
4. Requirementofnoncomplyingparenttopostacashbondorothersecurityot
ensurefuturecompliance
5. Makeupparentingtime,mustbe
a. Thesametypeanddurationofparentingtimethatwasdenied
b. Bemadeupwithin6monthsafterthenoncomplianceoccursunlesshe
periodoftime/holidaycannotbemadeupwithin6months,inwhichcase
itshallbemadeupwithinoneyear
6. Afindingthatthenoncomplyingparentisincontemptofcourt
7. Impositiononthenoncomplyingparentofanappropriatecivilfineperincidentof
deniedparentingtime
8. Noncomplyingparentreimburseotherparentforallreasonableexpensesincurred
asaresultofviolation
9. Anyotherprovisionthatmaypromotethechildsbestinterests
v. AttorneysFeesUnlessgoodcuaseshown,theparentabusingtheparentingtimeis
supposedtopaytheothersattorneysfees
vi. Ifsomeoneisheldincontempt,courtcan
1. apersonsdriverslicensecanbesuspended,
2. putthemonprobationandordercertainconditions,

3. sentencethemtoperiodicimprisonment(notexceed6monthsthatallowspartyto
workorconductbusiness
4. findthemguiltyofpettyoffenceandfineupto$500
g. REMOVAL/RELOCATION609.2
i. ParentsRelocation=changeofcircumstances
ii. Parentwhohasmajorityparentingtimeoreitherparentwhohasbeenallocatedequal
parentingtimemayseekotrelocatewithachild
iii. Parentintendingtorelocatemustgivewrittennoticetootherparent.Acopyofthenotice
mustbefiledwithclerkofcourt.CourtmaywaiveorsealsomeinfoifthereisDV
1. Thenoticemusthave
a. Intendeddateofmove
b. Addressofintendednewresidence
c. Lengthoftimerelocationwilllast
2. Ifotherparentsignsthenoticeandrelocatingparentfilesthenoticewiththecourt,
thenrelocationwillbeallowedandparentingplanorallocationjudgmentwillbe
changedasagreedbythepartiesaslongasinchildsbestinterst.
3. Ifotherparentdoesntagreehavetoaskthecourttorelocate
iv. Courtconsiders11factors
1. Circumstancesandreasonsforintendedrelocation
2. Reasonswhyotherparentobjectedtotheintendedrelocation
3. Thehistoryandqualityofeachparentsrelationshipwiththechild,specifically
whetheraparenthassubstantiallyfiledorrefusedtoexercisetheparental
responsibilitiesallocatedtohimorher
4. Educationalopportunitiesforthechildatexistinglocationandattheproposednew
location
5. Thepresenceorabsenceofextendingfamilyattheexistinglocationandproposed
newlocation
6. Anticipatedimpactoftherelocationonthechild
7. Whetherthecourtwillbeabletofashionareasonableallocationofparental
responsibilitiesb/wallparentsiftherelocationoccurs
8. Wishesofthechild,takingintoaccountthechildsmaturityandabilitytoexpress
reasonedandindependentpreferencesastorelocation
9. Possiblearrangementsfortheexerciseofparentalresponsibilitiesappropriateto
theparentsresourcesandcircumstancesandthedevelopmentallevelofthechild
10. Minimizationoftheimpairmenttoaparentchildrelationshipcausedbyaparents
relocation
11. Anyotherrelevantfactorsbearingonthechildsbestinterest
v. Ifparentmoveswiththechild25milesorlessfromchildscurrentaddressthenIL
continuestobethehomestateofthechild
vi. LanguageinMSA
1. AgoodlawyerwillputrestrictivelanguageintheMSA
2. StatingthatparentscannotmoveXmilesawayfromcurrentlocationwithout
agreementorapprovalofcourt
vii. NewLaw
1. IfthechildisresidinginCookCountyorCollarCounties(Lake,Kane,DuPage
andWill)andparentwithatleast50%parentingtimewantstomove25miles
fromresidence,mustnotifyotherparentandgetsthemtoagreeandsign.
2. Ifparentdoesnotagree,thentherewillbeahearing

3. Ifyouwanttomoveoutofstateanditsmorethan25miles,youneedto
getpermission
h. SEXOFFENDER609.5
i. Automaticgroundformodificationofvisitation
ii. Ifyouregoingtomarryorlivewithsexoffenderhavetoprovidenotice
i. TEMPORARYPARENTINGTIME(Visitation)
i. Courtcanentertemporaryvisitationorderwhilevisitationdeterminationsarepending
ii. Betweenthetimethatpetitionisfiledandcaseisresolved
iii. Supposedtobedonein18months
II. CASELAW
a. NonIllinoisCases
i. Eldridgev.Eldridge(TN2001)
1. HandWhad2kidsdivorced
2. Wmovedtoestablishavisitationschedulewhileshewasengaginginliveinhomosexual
relationshipHmovedforsolecustody
3. Trialcourtwasreversedfornotstatingabasisforitsdecision
4. AslongasW+girlfriendwerenotexposingdaughtertoinappropriatebehaviorno
restriction
5. Needevidenceofharmtorestrictvisitationofnoncustodialparent
ii. Zummov.Zummo(PA1990)
1. HarguedthathehadconstitutionalrighttoexposehischildrentoCatholicserviceseven
thoughMSAindicatedthatchildrenweretoberaisedJewish
2. Parentshaverightstoexposetheirchildrentotheirreligion,buttheycanalsobeorderedto
cooperatewiththeotherparentswishes
3. IfanIL,thecourtcouldsaythatmomhadrighttomakedecisionsasfarasreligion,but
notnecessarilymeanthatdadcouldnttakethemtoreligiousservices.LikelyILwould
alsomakeprovisionthatifmomwantedkidinhebrewschooltheremaybe
accommodationthatshetakehimandthatdadhaveadditionalparentingtime
4.
iii. Edwardsv.Edwards(ND2010)
1. H+Wweremarriedtwice,ininterimWhadadaughterbydifferentfather
2. StepfatherwasawardedvisitationandjointcustodyrightsalthoughWhadlastword
3. Reviewingcourtallowedstepfathertohavevisitation,butnotdecisionmakingauthority
4. DifferentinIllinois
a. Therearesuperlimitedcircumstancesforstepparentvisitation
b. Illinoisdoesnothaveequitableparentdoctrine
i. Doesnotrecognizedefactoparent(onlyforinheritancepurposes)
b. Troxelv.Granville(US2000)3rdPartyVisitation
i. Facts
1. 1991coupleseparates,1993Hcommitssuicide
2. Hsparentscontinuetoseethechildrenforacouplemonths,thenWlimitsvisits
3. WAstatuteallowedanypersontopetitionforvisitation
4. Grandparentsfiledrequestforvisitation(equivalenttowhatHwouldhavehad)
5. Wremarries,newHadoptsthekids
ii. Holdingstatutewastoobroad
iii. Reasoning
1. SCnotedthatthestatutedidntrequireshowingofharm

2. Parentshavetohavetherighttolimitvisitation
3. DueProcessviolationstatutewaswaytoobroad
4. Thecustody,care,andnurtureofthechildresidefirstintheparents,whoseprimary
functionandfreedomincludepreparationforobligationsthestatecanneithersupply
norhinder.
a. Alawthatallowsanyonetopetitionacourtforchildvisitationrightsover
parentalobjectionsunconstitutionallyinfringesonparentsfundamentalrightto
reartheirchildren.
iv. Dissent
1. Scalia
a. Majorityopinionreflectsnaturalnotconlaw
b. Legislatureshouldmakecallandtheymakebestinterestchoice
2. Stevens:
a. Childrenhavealibertyinterestaswellinmaintainingcontactwithcertainpeople
b. Thereshouldbeahearingfocusedonthechildsinterests
c. Stateissueandweshouldstayoutofthis
c. Edwardsv.EdwardsStepparent
i. ILlooksatequitableparentvspsychologicalparent
ii. ILdoesnotrecognizeequitableparentdoctrineexceptinprobate
iii. Stepparentscangetvisitationbutcouldnotgetallocationofparentingresponsibilities
iv. NothardtogetTPRifthebioparentistotallyoutofparentslife
d. InreMatterofCollingbourne(Ill.App.Ct.2003)Removal
i. Facts
1. WandHmarriedin1985,andhad2kids
2. Divorcedin1999eachbecamecustodialparentsofoneofthesons
3. 2yearsafterJPAwasentered,WpetitionedforremovalofsontoMA
4. Warguedthemovewouldimprovethequalityofherandhersonslife
a. Shewouldhavelargerslary,moreflexibleworkschedule,someorbetterschool
opporutnies
ii. HoldingfoundforW,allowedremoval
iii. Reasoning
1. AppliedEckertFactors
a. (1)willthemoveenhancethequalityoflifeforboththeparentandchild
b. (2)motiveofcustodialparent
c. (3)motiveofthenoncustodialparent
d. (4)cantherebearealisticandreasonablevisitationscheduleforthenoncustodial
parent
2. Thesefactorsarenotexclusive
3. Inallcircumstances,removalwillhavesomeeffectonvisitation.Thepivotalquestionis
whetherareasonableandrealisticvisitationschedulecanbecreated.
4. CourtnotedthatTylersdesiretostayinILwasanaturalresponseforachildofhisage
andnotsufficientgroundstodenyremovalpetition
iv. Rule
1. Becausethereisanexusbetweenthewellbeingofthecustodialparentandthechildwhois
intheparentscare,allbenefitsaffordedtothechildasaresultofthemovemustbe
consideredbythecourtinmakingitsbestinterestsdetermination
a. Acourtmustconsidertheproposedmoveintermsoflikelihoodforenhancingthe
generalqualityoflifeforboththecustodialparentandthechild
b.
Extra

a. JUDICIALSUPERVISION608
v. CustodialParentthecustodianmaydeterminethechildsupbringing,includingbutnot
limitedto,hiseducation,healthcare,andreligioustrainingunlessthecourtfindsthatthe
absenceofaspecificlimitationofthecustodiansauthoritywouldclearlybecontraryto
thebestinterestsofthechild.
vi. Counselingcourtmayorderindividualcounselingforthechild,familycounseling,or
parentaleducationforoneormoreoftheparties
b. CUSTODYORDERENFORCEMENT611
vii. Lawenforcementhastoenforceorder+provideassistancetopetitioner

DOMESTICVIOLENCE
I. ILLINOISDOMESTICVIOLENCEACT(1986)
a. 60/102Purposes
i. RecognizethatDVisaseriousthingandweneedtoprotectkids
ii. ProtectdisabledadultsandolderadultswhoarevulnerabletoDV
iii. Recognizethatsystemhasnotbeeneffectiveupuntilnow,weneedtochangethat
iv. Wanttosupportvictimsandavoidfutureabusebyenteringtheseordersofprotection
v. Keepabuserawayfromthemandrecords,ideawedontwantpeopletrappedinthese
relationships
vi. Clarifytheresponsibilityoflawenforcement,andrecorgnizetheirrisks
vii. Expandthecriminalandcivilremediestovictims
b. WhoCanbeProtected(60/103definitions&60/201personsprotectedbyact):
i. Anypersonabusedbyafamilymemberoranotherhouseholdmember(roommates)
1. Relatedbybloodorbypresentorpriormarriage
2. Thosewhoformerlysharedacommondwelling
3. Personswhohaveorallegedlyhavechildrenincommon
4. Shareabloodrelationshipthroughachild
ii. Highriskadult
iii. Minorchildren
iv. Anybodywhoisresidingoremployedinaprivatehomeorpublicshelterthathasan
abusedfamilymemberstayingwiththem
1. Disabledpersonandtheirpersonalassistants/caregivers
v. Anybodyinadatingrelationship(hastobemorethanonedate)
1. Ifcantmeetdatingrelationshipgetastalking/nocontactorder
c. Whocanfile?
i. Peoplecanfileforthemselves,ortheirkids,ortheirshelter
d. TypesofOrdersofProtection:
i. (1)Emergency(60/217)
1. Cangetthisexparteotherpartydoesnothavetobepresent
2. Lastsfornolessthan14days,andnomorethan21days
3. After21days,theothersidehastobeserved
4. Ifforsomereason,youcannotgetthemservedortheyneedmoretime,aninterim
OPwillbeentered(keepingstatusquo)foranother30days(multipleinterimscan
beentered)
ii. (2)Interim(60/218)
1. extendstheemergencyUsuallyissuedwhenothersidedoesnotget
served/notice
2. Judgeswillroutinelyextendorderupto30days
iii. (3)Plenary(60/219)
1. Canbenomorethan2years,butcanbeextendedupongoodcauseshown
iv. Ordersofprotectioncanbeattachedtocivilorcriminalcase
v. Random
Youcanorderstayawayorders
Youcanordercounseling
Thesecantbedoneinplenaryorders
Youcanorderparentingtime
Youcanprohibitconcealmentofchildrenorthatyouremoving
Youcanorderpossessionofpersonalproperty

Youcanordersomeonetonotwrecksomeoneelsesproperty
Youcanorderanimalstobeprotected
Amountsofrestitution
Cantbethereunderinfluenceofdrug/alcohol
CantdomutualOps
o Unlessitsforaseparateincident
e. RemediesforOps(60/214):someoftheremedies($$+custody+counseling)arenotavailable
forEOPs
i. Prohibitabuse,neglect,orexploitationnoharmfuloroffensivecontact(availableinall
OPs)
ii. Exclusivepossessionofthedwellingothersidewouldthenhavetomoveout
1. Doabalanceofhardshipspresumptioninpetitionersfavor
iii. Stayawayorder
iv. Counseling(notinEOP)
v. Physicalcareandpossessionofchildtovictimcangivetemporarycustodyathearing
vi. Temporaryallocationofparentalesponsiblites
vii. Parentingtime
viii. Prohibitsomeonefromremovingorconcealingofthekids
ix. Canordersomeonetoappearincourt
x. Possessionofpersonalproperty
xi. ProtectionofpropertyOrderrespondentnottodestroypropertyorhurtanimals(pets)
xii. Ordersupportbepaid
xiii. Orderpaymentforlosses:includesmedicalexpenses,lostearning,destructionofproperty,
attysfees,cortcosts,movingortravelexpenses,includingreasonableexpensesfor
temporaryshelterandrestaurantmeals.Ect.
xiv. Canprohibitparentfromnotvisitingchildwhenintoxicated
xv. Canorderrespondenttonotpossessaweapon
xvi. Canprohibitaccesstoschoolrecords
xvii. Canorderreimbursementforshelterfees
xviii. Canorderotherinjunctivereliefmeansyoucanprettymuchorderanything
f. 60215nomutualordersofsameincidence
1. Canentercorrelativestayawayordersthusseparateincidents
g. 60216AccountabilityforActionofOthers
i. Getsomeonetodosomethingthatyoucan't,thencanbeheldresponsibleunder216
h. 60221ContentofOrders
i. mustsayremediesgrantedandreasonsremediesarenotgranted
ii. mustsaythatanyviolationisaclassAmisdemeanor365daysinjailandsaythatitis
enforceableanywhere
i. 60301.1.LawEnforcementPolicies
i. everylawenforcementagencyshalldevelop,adopt,andimplementwrittenpolices
regardingarrestproceduresforDVincidentsconsistentwiththisAct.
j. 60304LawEnforcementiflawenforcementthinkssomeonehasbeenabused,havetohelp
i. OfferinfoaboutDV,arrestsomeone,helpthemgettheirthings
k. 60401MedicalProvidershavetohelpvictimsofdomesticviolencetakesawaytheirliability
undertheDVAct
l. NEWSTUFFntoyouroutline
i. PublicActeffective1/2016willincludethefollowinglanguage

1. mitigatethepotentialharmtothespousesandtheirchildrencausebytheprocess
ofcanactionbroughtunderthisAct,andprotectchildrenfromexposuretoconflict
andviolence
II. Dating
a. Stalking,nocontactorder
b. Mustbemorethanonedate
c. Ifyouhavebeensexuallyassaultedbystranger,thereiscivil/nocontactorder
III.
IV.DRUGANPRESENTATION
a. IllinoisMustArrest
i. Illinoisisnotamustarreststatemayarrestifthereisprobablecause
ii. DuPageCountyprotocol=youmustarrestifprobablecauseexist
1. Reportsmustinclude:childreninformation+schoolattended,priordomestic
responsesanddisposition,presenceofFOID,anddocumentationofFSScall
b. DomesticBatterySentencing
i. FirstConviction=ClassAMisdemeanor
ii. Second/SubsequentViolation=Class4felony
iii. 26weekbatterersprogram
c. ContinuingViolation
i. OverridesSOLs
1. Thisdoctrinerelievesaplaintiffofalimitationsbarifhe/shecanshowaseriesof
relatedactstohim/her,oneormoreofwhichfallswithinthelimitationsperiod
d. OrdersofProtection
i. Mustbeservedupontherespondentinordertobevalidandenforceable
ii. Canbeobtainedwithoutgivingtherespondentpriorknowledge
iii. Pros:holdabuseraccountable,canmakecontactbyabuseracriminaloffense,
empowerment
iv. Cons:bringsabuseintopublicarena,mayangerabuser,someviolationsarehardtoprove
V. CASELAW
a. Feltmeierv.Feltmeier
i. Facts
1. H+Wweremarriedfor11years
2. 2yearsafterdivorce,WsuedHforIIEDbasedonhisabusiveactsthroughouttheir
marriage
3. Actsincluded:beatingher,abusingherinthepresenceofherchildren,throwingthingsat
her,verbalabuse,isolatingher,stalkingher
ii. QuestionwhethertherewasaclaimforIIED,whetherPsclaimsforIIEDbasedonconductprior
toAugust25,1997(2yearsago)werebarredbytheapplicablestatueoflimitations,Whetherthe
PsclaimagainsttheDforIIEDhasbeenreleasedbythelanguageoftheMSA
iii. HoldingcouldstateavalidcauseofactionforIIEDagainstspouse+treatedasacontinuoustort
(i.e.,notbarredbySOL)
iv. Reasoning
1. FoundWcomplaintstatedapropercauseofactionforIIED(behaviorwasextreme
enough)
2. Courtappliedcontinuingtorttheory(theSOLwouldnotstarttorununtileitherthe
continuingbehavioratissuestoppedorthelastsuchactoccurred)

3. MSAdidnotbarWsclaim
v. Rule
1. AvictimofdomesticviolencecanproperlypleadaclaimofIIEDagainstherabuserand
actsthatconstituteapatternofdomesticviolencemaybetreatedasacontinuingtort

THEROLEOFCOUNSEL
I. ILLINOISSTATUTES
a. RepresentationforChildren506
i. Types:
Attorneyveryrare
GuardianAdLitemmakesarecommendation,canbecalledasawitness,cannot
filemotionstechnically
ChildRepresentativedoesnotmakearecommendation(takesaposition),brings
outevidencebasedpointsincourt,kindofacombinationbetweenattorney/GAL,
canfileawrittenmemo
ii. RulesofProfessionalResponsibilitystillboundeventhoughyourclientisachild
iii. Paidattorney/GAL/CRmustbepaid[maybeabletogetprobonoappointment]
b. StatementofClientsRights+Responsibilities508(f)
i. Theremustbeawrittencontracttorepresentsomeoneindivorceandstatetheobjectivesof
representation
ii. Thiscontractmustincludethelanguageprovidedinthestatute
iii. Youshouldreviewthiswithyourclientatthebeginningoftherelationship
iv. GeneralProvisions:
Clientwillmakemajordecisionsnotthelawyer
Ifyoustoprepresentingyourclient,havetoturnovertheirfile
Nocontingencyfeesfordivorcerepresentation
Mustkeepclientreasonablyinformedaboutthestatusofrepresentationand
promptlyrespondtoreasonablerequestsforinformation
v. Alsonote
Cannotbiveaguaranteeofwhatwillhappen
Youshouldgetaretainer
Ifclientdoesntpay,getout
Youcanrefusetodothingsifitisagainstthechildsbestinterests
c. Training605
i. 3hoursoftrainingrequired
ii. Includingtrainingfordomesticviolence
II. ILLINOISSUPREMECOURTRULES
a. Rule906Implementstrainingrequirements
b. Rule907RequirementsforAttorneysforChildren
i. FollowtherulesofPR
ii. Attorneyhastherighttointerviewthechild
iii. Considerwhatservicesthefamilymightneed
iv. Examinewhetherthereisawaytosolvetheproblemwithouttrial
c. Rule908JudgeTraining
i. Judgesarerequiredtohavetrainingaswell
ii. 8recommendedareasfortraining
III. CASELAW
a. InreBraun

i. H+Wmetwithattorneytogether
ii. Hreturnedtotalktoattorneybyhimself
iii. AttorneyendeduprepresentingWafterspeakingwithH
iv. ConflictAgainstInterest
Afterspeakingwiththemtogether,couldlikelynothaverepresentedeitherofthem
Theintentoftheruleagainstconflictsisviolatedwhenevertheconductofanattorney
raisesthepossibilitythathehasormayusetheconfidencesofoneclientforthebenefitof
another
b. Klemmv.SuperiorCourt
i. H+Wwanteddivorcetheywereinagreementoverchildsupportandcustody
ii. Hadafamilyfriendrepresentthemjudgethoughttherewasaconflictofinterest
iii. AppellateCourtfoundthiswaspermissible
Whereintheconflictwasonlypotential,thatifthewrittenconsentswereknowingand
informedandgivenafterfulldisclosurebytheattorney,theattorneycanappearforbothof
thepartiesonissuesconcerningwhichtheyfullyagree.
Thereisdifferenceb/wpotentialconflictandrealconflict
iv. Illinois...
Informedconsent+fulldisclose=youcandothis
BUTYOUNEVERSHOULD
Youshouldtellpotentialclientsfromthestartthatyoucannotrepresentboth
c. InreRinella
i. Attorneywassuspendedfor3yearsuntilfurtherorderofthecourt
ii. Hadsexwithclientsfeltliketheyhadtohavesexwithhimforsakeoftheircase
iii. Courtsaidthattherulesofprofessionalresponsibilitystepbystepguidethiswaswrong.
iv. Natureoffamilylaw=clientsareinanextremelyemotional/fragileplaceoverreaching
IV. Presentation/speaker
a. Enrico Mirabelli
i. Beerman, Swerdlove.
ii. Distinguished service
Filed first hague convention case
iii. ardc always report divorce counsels
Divorce lawyers do not make any money
b.

PROPERTY&MAINTENANCE
I. ILLINOISSTATUTES
a. DISPOSITIONOFPROPERTY503
i. DifferentTypesofproperty(subsectiona)
1. NONMARITALPROPERTYnonmaritalpropertyisnotshared
a. Types:
i. (1)Gifts,legacy,ordescent,
ii. (2)Propertyacquiredinexchangeforpropertyacquiredbefore
marriageorfor#1typeofproperty
1. ex.Boughtstockwithinheritancemoneybeforemarriage.
Thisstockwouldbenonmarital)
iii. (3)Propertyacquiredbyaspouseafterajudgmentoflegal
separation
iv. (4)Propertyexcludedbyvalidagreementofparties(including
premaritalorpostnuptialagreement)
v. (5)Anyjudgmentorpropertyobtainedbyjudgmentawardedto
spousefromtheotherspouse,exceptifrequiredforinsuranceand
recoveryrelatedtoamountsadvancedbythemaritalestate
vi. (6)Propertyacquiredbeforemarriage,
vii. (6.5)Propertyacquiredusingnonmaritalpropertyascollateral,
subjecttoreimbursement(nonmaritalsubjecttoreimbursement)
1. Butifmaritalestateadvancedmoneyforsomethingthat
wasnonmarital.Themaritalestatecanbeentitledto
reimbursement
a. Forinstance:youusedmarriedmoneytopayfor
mortgageyourhusbandshomethatheowned
previouslybeforeyougotmarried.
viii. (7)Increaseinvalueof(1)topropertyacquiredthrough(6),
ix. (8)Incomefrom(1)to(6)ofpropertyifnotattributabletothe
personaleffectofaspouse
2. MaritalEstateeverythingisearnedaftermarriageispresumedtobepartof
maritalestate(exceptforthose8things)doesntmatterhowpropertyisowned
3. Note
a. *propertyacquiredb4marriagethatwouldotherwisebenonmaritalshall
notbedeemedmaritalbcacquiredincontemplationofmarriage
b. courtshallmakespecificfactualfindingsastoclassificationasmartialor
nonmarital
ii. Presumption of Marital Property Generallyall property acquired by either spouse after
the marriage and before a judgment of dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity
of marriage (including non-marital property transferred into some form of co-ownership
between the spouses) are presumed to be marital property, regardless of whether title is
held individually or by the spouses in some form of co-ownership such as joint tenancy
1. youcanovercomethepresumptionifyoushowbyclearandconvincingevidence
thatthepropertywasacquiredbymethodlistedearlierordoneforeestateortax
planningpurposesorforotherreasonsthatestablishthatthetransferwasnot
intendedtobeagift
iii. CommonIssues:(intangibleassets)

1. 5/503(b)(2)Pensions,IRA,definedcontributionplans
a. QILDROQualifiedIllinoisDomesticRelationsOrder
b. Spousesmayhavemultiplepensions
c. Presumedmaritalifsetupaftermarriage,(ifsetupbefore
marriagenonmarital)
i. Presumptioncanbeovercomebyallocation/classificationasnon
maritalpensions
2. StockOptions5/503(b)(3)
a. Mustallocateevenifvalueisunknown
b. Factors
i. Allcircumstancesofgrantincludingvestingscheduletodetermine
ifbasedonpast,presentorfutureefforts;
ii. Lengthfromgranttooption
3. Lifeinsurance
a. Ifmarital,courttoallocate:
i. Ownership
ii. Righttoreceivebenefits
iii. Obligationtopaypremium
iv. Tobedoneequitablyattimeofjudgment
b. Makesureyouhaveyourclientlookatwhoisthebeneficiaryforallthese
things
iv. AFTERCLASSIFYING,address:
1. Comminglingmixingtogetherwithalossofidentity.Ifnolossofidentity,
propertyofcontributionestate
a. Joiningofmoneyinsavingsacct
2. Transmutationonetypeofestatebecomesanother
3. Contributiononeestategivestoanotherpropertyorpersonaleffort(significant
andresultsinsubstantialappreciation)
a. One puts contribution into another and want reimbursement
4. Reimbursementpaybackbutmustberetraceablebyclearandconvincing
evidence,mustnotbeagift
5. Othernotes
a. Comingled Marital + Non-Marital Propertywhen marital and non-
marital property are commingled by contributing one estate of property
into another resulting in a loss of identity of the contributed property, the
classification of the contributed property is transmuted to the estate
receiving the contribution
b. ReimbursementWhen one estate of property makes a contribution to
another estate of property, or when a spouse contributes personal effort
to another estate of property, or when a spouse contributes personal
effort to non-marital property, the contributing estate shall be reimbursed
from the estate receiving the contribution notwithstanding any
transmutation
c. The court may provide for reimbursement out of the marital property to
be divided or by imposing a lien against the non-marital property which
received the contribution
v. ASSIGNVALUE:IL(EQUITABLEDISTRIUBTIONSTATE)
1. Assignvaluetoallmaritalpropertywithoutregardtomaritalmisconduct

2. Divideequitabledistribution(fair,butwithinjudicialdiscretion)
a. Nonmaritaleachspousereceivestheirnonmaritalproperty
b. MaritalMisconductfactorfordeterminingdivision
3. Considerations:DIVISIONOFPROPERTYLOOKSATTHESEFACTORS
a. Contributionthecontributionofeachpartytotheacquisition,
preservation,orincrease/decreaseofthemaritalornonmaritalproperty,
including:
i. (i)anyadvancefrommaritalestateforattorneysfees,
ii. (ii)thecontributionofaspouseasahomemaker
iii. (iii)whetherthecontributionisafercommencementofaction
b. Dissipationofmaritalornonmaritalproperty=usingmaritalproperty
foranonmaritalpurposewhenanirretrievablebreakdownofthemarriage
hasbegun(butcannotgobackfurtherthanfiveyears)
i. Specialnoticerequirements
ii. Maybeissueoffactrewhenbreakdownbegan
iii. Watchforrandomgiftstootherpeople
c. OtherConsiderations:
i. Valueofpropertyassignedtoeach
ii. Durationofmarriage
iii. Relevantcircumstancesofeachatthetimeofdivisionincluding
desirabilityofgivinghomeortimeinhometospousehaving
primaryresidenceofkids
iv. Anyobligations/rightsfrompriormarriage
v. Anyprenuptialagreement
vi. Age,health,andotherpersonalfactors
vii. Whogotcustody
viii. Whetherapportionmentisinlieuofinadditiontomaintenance
ix. Reasonablefutureprospectsofeach
x. Taxconsequenceschildsupportisnontaxable
vi. Dateofvaluation
1. Courthasdiscretiontouse
a. Dateoftrialorotherdateagreedbypartiesororderedbythecourtwithin
itsdiscretion
i. Whydoesthismatter?
1. Certainpropertiescangoupordowndependingonthe
date
vii. 503(g)Trusts
1. Ifnecessarytoprotectandpromotebestinterestsofthechildrenthecourtmay
makeatrustorseparatefund:
a. Setasidefromjointlyorseparatelyheldestatesoftheparties;
b. Forsupport,maintenance,education,physicalormentalhealthofany
minor,dependentorincompetentchildofparties
viii. 503(h)and(i)
1. Ifanappealandremandunlessspecificallydirectedorgoodcauseshowndont
considerincreaseordecreaseinvalueofmaritalornonmaritalproperty

2. Canordersaleofpropertyandapplyproceedsasdeterminedbycourt
ix. EQUITABLEPROPERTYCONT.
1. Maritalpropertyisdividedinjustproportions
2. Courtconsidersallthefactorsincludingnonfinancialcontributions
b. MAINTENANCE504
i. MaritalMisconductmaintenanceisdeterminedwithoutregardformaritalmisconduct
ii. DeterminedinamountsandforperiodsoftimeCourtdeemsjust
iii. Reservationmustbedecidedeventually
iv. Typestemporary(rehabilitative)+permanent(reallynosuchthing...)
1. temporaryconsider:
a. Whendoesitend?Canitbereviewed?WhohasBOP?
b. Whathappensifnotreviewed?Whatdoyouexpecttherecipienttodoor
accomplishbeforethereview?
2. Permanentusuallywonthappenpossiblyinalongtermmarriagewhere
theresanissuewithemployabilityorhealthofonespouse
a. Reallymaintenancecanalwaysbemodified
3. InGrossdeterminelumpsum(cannotbemodified)+ispaidoverperiod,when
paiditsdone(thiswillbeeliminatedbyJan1)
v. StatutoryFactors:
1. Incomeandpropertyofeachincludingmaritalpropertyreceivingandnonmaritalproperty
assignedaswellasfinancialobligationsimposedindissolution,
2. Needsofeach,
3. Realisticpresentandfutureearningcapacity,
4. Anyimpairmentofthatearningcapacityduetodomesticdutiesorforegoingordelaying
educationorcareeropportunities,
5. anyimpairmentofrealisticpresentorfutureearningcapacityofpartywhowillpay
6. Timetogetonyourfeetorwhetheryouhavekidsandneedtimetoraisethem,
7. Standardoflivingduringthemarriage,
8. Durationofthemarriage,
9. Age,health,station,occupation,amountandsourceofincome,vocationalskills,
employability,estate,liabilitiesandneedsofeach
10. Allsourcesofpublicandprivateincome
a. Includingdisabilityandretirement
i. Cannotdivideupsocialsecurity
11. Taxconsequences
a. Maintenancecountsasincomeandistaxable
b. Childsupportisnotincomesonottaxableandnodeductible
12. Contributionsofpartyseekingmaintenancetotheeducation,career,orlicenseoftheother
spouse,
13. Anyvalidagreement,and
14. Anyotherfactorthecourtexpresslyfindstobeequitable
15. DONTTFORGETANYFINANCIALOBLIGATIONSMORTGAGE
vi. DETERMININGAMOUNTANDDURATION
1. Useguidelineif:
o (1)Combinedgrossincomeofunder$250,00AND
o (2)Payorhasnochildsupportormaintenanceobligationorbothfroma
priorrelationship
CourttofollowUNLESSfindingthattheguidelineswouldbe
inappropriate

ILstatebarassociation
a. Becausemaintenancefairlyroutineupnorth,didntseemfaireconomic
disparitythroughoutstateofIllinois
2. Donotuseguidelines
o ifover$250,000orothercircumstances
o Wanttoarguetodeviatefromtheguidelinesbecauseitwillnotbe
equitable
vii. AMOUNTGUIDELINES
30%ofPayorsGross20%ofpayeesgross=amountofmaintenance
o UNLESSamountofmaintenanceaddedtopayeesgrossmaynotbe
over40%ofcombinedgrossincomeofboth
Example:
o Thenumbers
Higherearnermakes$100,000
Lowerincomeearnermakes$50,000
Combinedgrossis$150,000
o FirststepofEquation
Payorsgross=$100,000x.30=30,000
Payeesgross=50,000x.2=10,000
$30,000(30%ofPayorsGross)$10,00(20%ofpayees
gross)=$20,000amountofmaintenance
o 2ndstep
Ifyoudo.4x$150,000(combinedgrossincome)=$60,000
BUTpayeesgrossof50,00+20,00=$70,00,whichexceeds
60,000,soPayeecanonlyget$10,000isMaintenance
viii. DURATIONGUIDELINES
LengthofMarriageTIMES(.2through.8dependingonlengthofmarriage)=howlong
willreceivemaintenance
o 05years:.2
o 510years:.4
o 1015years:.6
o 1520years:.8
o 20+permanentorlengthofmarriageatJudgessdiscretion
Hypothetical/inclassexercise
First,subtract30%(highearner)20%(lowearner)=N
ThenN+lowearnerssalary=X
ThenX
Highearner:$125,000
o 30%:$37,500
Lowearner:$50,000
o 20%:$10,000
TotalGross:$175,000
o 40%:$70,000
Lengthmarriage:10years3months
Answer:
o Amount:
37,50010,000=27,500
27,500+50,000=77,500

77,50070,00=7,500reduce27,500by7,500=$20,000
o Duration:6.15years
10.25yrsx.6=6.15years
Assumethesoontobeexhusbandgrosses$50,000ayear,andhiswifeearns$30,000.Thirty
percentof$50,000is$15,000,and20percentof$30,000is$6,000.Subtract$6,000from
$15,000,andvoilathehusbandowesthewife$9,000ayearinmaintenance.Simpleenough.
Butthingsarentsosimpleinthisexample,becausethat$9,000paymentwouldpushthewifes
annualgrossoverthe40percentofcombinedincomelimit.How?Ifyouadd$50,000plus
$30,000,youget$80,000,40percentofwhichis$32,000.That$32,000$2,000morethanthe
wifesannualgrossthusconstitutesthecaponherincomeaftermaintenance.Therefore,the
husbandinthiscaseowesthewifeonly$2,000peryearundertheformula.(Notethatthe
higherthepayorsincomeisinrelationtothepayees,thelesslikelythe40percentruleisto
limitthepayeesaward.)
ix. Ifnotusingguidelines
1. Setafterconsideringallrelevantfactorsinsection(a)ofthissection
x. Findingsrequired
1. Reasonsforawardingornotawardingincludingreferencetoeachrelevantfactor
2. Ifdeviatefromguidelines:amountofmaintenanceunderguidelinesandreasons
fordeviatingfromguidelines
3. 504(b3)Grossincome=allincomefromallsourcesbeforedeductions
4. 504(b4)Unallocatedcantorderinjudgmentorpostjudgmentcasesunless
partiesagree
5. Canorderinprejudgmentcases
6. B4.5Fixedtermmaintenanceunder10yearscandesignateterminationdateas
permanenttermination
7. 5/504(b5)interestonmaintenancesimpleinterest
8. UnderILlaw9%
9. 5/504(b7)isajudgment
10. 5/504(c)onappeal,courtshallgrantandenforceasreasonableandproper
11. But5/504(d)shallnotaccruewhileimprisonedforfailuretopay
12. Feesincountiesunder1millionpeopleifpaidthroughclerk504(e)
xi. Lifeinsurancecanbeusedtosecuremaintenance5/504(f)
1. Partiescandosobyagreement(ifnoagreement,courtcanorderit)
2. Payortocooperate
3. Existinginsurance,courtcanallocatewhopays;newinsurancepayeepays
xii. ModificationofMaintenance
1. 760ILCS5/510astoinsallmentssubsequenttoduenotice
a. Modificationwillonlyaffectinstallmentsfollowingthemotiontomodify
2. Petitionermustshowsubstantialchangeincircumstances
3. Note:
a. Retirementofpayor/changeofemployment
b. Cohabitationonacontinuingconjugalbasispayback
i. Cangobackinthepastandmakethereceivingpartymaybe
orderedtopaybacktheunjustpayments
c. Remairriageofrecipientnotice(timely)andpayback

Death
d.
4. Considerall504factorsplus
a. Changeofemploymentstatusofeachpartyandtheirgoodfaith
b. Effortsofreceivertobecomeselfsupporting;andifreasonable
c. Anyimpairmentofpresent/futureearningcapacity
d. Taxconsequencesofmaintenancepaymentsoneachparty
e. Durationofpaymentsmadeandtobemadeandthelengthofthemarriage
f. Propertyofeachincludingretirementbenefitsandpresentstatusof
property
g. Increaseordecreaseofeachpartysincomesincejudgment
h. Propertyownedoracquiredsinceoriginaljudgment
i. Anyotherfactortheacourtexpresslyfindsjustandequitable
II. CASELAWTHEREISINCREDIBLEJUDICIALDISCRETIONHERE.
a. Laingv.Laing
i. Courtdeterminedthatanonvestedpensionwasamaritalasset
ii. Dispute=overhowitshouldbedividedbetweentheformerspouses
iii. Thiscourt(andIllinois)foundthatitwouldbeunfairtodividebasedonpresentvalue
1. Insteadappliesreservedjurisdictionapproach(QUILDRO)
2. Thetrialcourtretainsjurisdictionandorderstheemployeespousetopaytheformerspouse
afractionofeachpensionpaymentthatisactuallyreceived.
a. Oncevestingoccurs,theportionofthepensionthatismaritalpropertycanbe
calculatedasofthetimeofdivorceandthenonemployeespousessharecanbe
payableinlumpsumorininstallments.
iv. Solution=QUADRO(federal)[QUILDRO(IL)]
1. MostlargecompanieshaveHRdepartmentsanorderwillbedraftedsayingaspouseis
supposedtogetacertainpercentage
2. QUADRO/QUILDRO=willdirecthowmuchfromeachfundshouldbepaidtoeach
spouse
v. Basicallypensionsaremartialproperty
b. Postemav.Postema
i. Wwasanurse,Hwenttolawschool
ii. Issue=whetherornotlawdegreewasamaritalasset
iii. Appellatecourtdeterminedthatbecausethedegreewasdeterminedtobetheproductofaconcerted
familyeffortWwasentitledto$$
1. InIllinoisthedegreeisnotanassetthiswouldbeaddressedthroughcontributionor
maintenanceandnotconsideredmaritalproperty
c. Elkusv.Elkus
i. Facts
1. HandWweremarriedfor17years
2. Duringthecourseofthemarriage,Pscareersucceededdramaticallyandincomerose
accordingly
3. Whilemarried,HtraveledwithP,photographedherforthings,critiquedherperformances
4. HwasalsoWsvoicecoachandteacherfor10years
5. Harguedthathesacrificedhisowncareerasteacher/singertodevotehimselftoWscareer

ii. ISSUE:WhetherPscareerand/orcelebritystatusconstitutedmaritalpropertysubjecttoequitable
distribution.
iii. Basicallyyouhavepropertyinterestintheincomeresultingfromenhancementbyyour
skills/contribution
d. Finanv.Finan
i. Whetheratrialcourtdeterminingfinancialordersindissolutioncasesmayconsidera
partyspreseparationdissipationofmaritalassetsi.e.whethertrialcourtsshould
considerbothpreandpostseparationdissipationofmaritalassetswhenentering
financialorders
ii. Courtsaidyoucanconsiderit,buttemporallimitation.Dissipationmust
1. Beincontemplationofdivorce
2. Orwhenmarriageisinseriousjeopardyorundergoinganirretrievablebreakdown
iii. SimilartoIllinoisconsiderdissipation
iv. Illinoiscangoback3yrstowhentheconductbeganpriortothephysicalseparation
e. Tuckerv.Tucker
i. InIllinoisyoucannotconsidermaritalmisconduct(maybeinprenup)
ii. InMissouri,youcanbutithastorelatetosomekindoffinancialloss
f. Dykmanv.Dykman
i. CourtgaveWalimonyeventhoughshewas51andHwas85
ii. Courtcanconsider$$thatwasspentonotherwomen(canonlygoback5yearsifshedid
notknowaboutit)
g. Zellsv.Zells(IL)
i. Goodwill=ifyournameisonthedoor,certainpeoplewillcometoyouANDthisis
consideredinmaritalpropertyforpurposesofpropertydistributionandmaintenanceaward
ii. GoodwilldivisibleinIllinois,butwillbeconsideredinpropertydistribution(i.e.,
valuationofassets)
iii. Contingentfeecontractsarenotmaritalassets,andgoodwillisadequatelyaddressedby
consideringthestatutoryfactorsincludedinIMDMAthus,goodwillisnotaseparate
maritalassetthatwillbesubjecttovaluationanddivision.
CHILDSUPPORT
I. ILLINOISSTATUTES
a. OVERVIEW:
i. Illinoisisaguidelinestatewhichismandatoryunlessthecourtmakesafindingthat
guidelinesareinappropriateafterconsideringfactors
1. Guidelines:
a. 1 child: 20%, 2 children- 28%
b. 3 children- 32%, 4 children 40%
c. 5 children 45%, 6 or more 50%
ii. Ifcourtdeviatesfromguidelinesmustexplainwhytheyaredeviating

1. court makes a finding that the guidelines are inappropriate after court after
considering the best intersts of the childincluding by not limited to:
a. financial needs and resources of the child
b. financial needs and resources of the parents
c. the standard of living for child if no divorce
d. physical, mental, and emotional needs of the child
e. educational needs of the child
iii. Eitherspousecanbeorderedtopaychildsupport(regardlessoffault)
iv. Considerthebestinterestsofthechild+otherfactorslisted(nonexclusivelistoffactors)
v. Childsupportcanbereserved
b. DETERMININGNETINCOMEallincomefromallsourcesminusthefollowing:
i. Maintenanceisnotconsideredpartofnetincome
ii. Reasonableandnecessaryrepaymentsofdebtforproductionofincome
iii. Stateandfederaltax
iv. Socialsecurity+Medicare
v. Mandatoryretirementpaymentsrequiredbylaworasconditionofemployment
vi. Uniondues
vii. Dependentandindividualhealth/hospitalizationinsurancepremiums
viii. Priorobligationofsupport/maintenancethatareactuallypaidpercourtorder(older
familycomesfirst)
ix. Maitnencancepaidinthiscasetopersonreceiving
x. Reasonableandnecessaryrepaymentsofdebtforproductionofincome
xi. Medicalexpenditurestopreservelifeorhealthandreasonableexpendituresforthechildor
otherparentexclusiveofgifts
xii. FostercarepaymentsbyDCFS
xiii. Courtorderedhealthinsurancepayments
c. CominginJuly2017
i. incomeshares,childsupportwillbebasedonthecombinedincomeofbothparents
ii. eachparentpaysaproratedshareofchildrearingexpenditures
iii. thoseexpendituresarebasedonatabledonthaveyet
1. tablewillinclude:housing,clothing,food,transportation,entertainment,andmisc
outofpocketexpenses(outofpockethealthcare,personalcare,educationand
readingmaterials
iv. netincomewillbegrossminuseitherstandardizedtaxamountorindividualizedtax
amountornetincomebypartyagreement
d. ISSUESDETERMININGNETINCOME:
i. LifeStyleAnalysiscourtcanordersupportinareasonableamountbasedonlifestyle
1. RetroactiveSupportiforderingretroactivesupportwheretherewasno
jurisdictionpreviously,rebuttablepresumptionthatnetwassamethenasitisnow
ii. FailuretoAppear

1. Iftherewasproperserviceonthenoncustodialparentofadiscoveryrequest,+
2. Thenoncustodialparentfailedtocomplyandfailedtoappear,
3. Then,anyinformationreceivedpursuanttoasubpoenawithpropernoticeshallbe
admittedwithoutfurtherfoundation
4. Goodservice Inanactiontoenforcechildsupport,personalserviceor
mailingtothelastknownaddressoftherespondentisgoodservice
iii. FailuretoPay
1. Failuretopay=punishableascontempt[indirectcivil]
a. Failuretoreportifnotcurrentfor60days=indirectcriminalcontempt
2. Additionally,courtcanplacethemonprobation,sentencetoperiodic
imprisonment(workrelease),upto6monthswithreleaseforworkandallorpart
of$moneyearnedpaidforsupport
3. Canpiercecorporateveilifunityofinterestandownershipshown
4. Cansuspenddriverslicenseifdelinquent90daysormorecangivehardship
licenseforwork
5. BusinessOwnerifparentguiltyofcontempt,runsabusinessorisselfemployed,
courtcanorderthemtoprovidefinancialstatementswithincomesandexpenses,
seekemploymentwithjobdiary,reporttodepartmentofemploymentsecurity
iv. Unpaidchildsupportobligationaccruesinterest
v. Unpaidsupportbecomesajudgmentandcanbeenforcedassuchwhendue
vi. NewEmployment
1. Obligormustnotifywithin7daysofnewemployment,accesstohealthinsurance,
newresidenceorphonenumber
e. TERMINATIONOFCHILDSUPPORT
i. TerminationDatesupportordersmustcontainaterminationdate
1. Unlessagreedinwriting,supportcannotterminatenoearlierthan18yearsold,
graduationfromhighschool,or19yearsold[ifnotoutofhighschoolby18,
wheichevercomesfirstHSgraduationor19]
2. Arrearagesdonotend.
f. Othernotes
i. Childsupportordersmustrequireeitherparenttoreportinwritingtootherparentandthe
clerkwithin10daysanynewemploymentorterminationofofemployment
ii. Ifnewemployment,mustreportnameandaddressofnewemployer
iii. Failuretoreportifnotcurrentinpaymentsfor60daysisindirectcriminalcontempt
iv. Bondsetinamountofarrearage
v. Bothparentstonotifyofchangeofaddress
vi. Within5daysexceptforcertaincircumstances
g. Unemployed supporting parent 5/505.1
i. Court can order to seek employment keep job diary
ii. Job training through various agencies
iii. Special public aid provisions
1. Pay past due amounts per a court approved plan or; if unemployed get job
training and job search help
h. MODIFICATION
i. Modificationwillonlyapplytoamountsdueafterthemotiontomodifyisfiled

ii. SubstantialChangepetitionermustshowasubstantialchangeincircumstances(except
PublicAidcasesorifneededforhealthcareofchild
iii. PropertyDispositionwillnotbeaffectedbyamodificationofchildsupport.Tomodify
propertydisposition,courtwouldhavetofindthatthejudgmentshouldbereopened
iv. Deathdoesnotendtherighttocollectsupportorpetitionforeducationalexpenses
i. SUPPORTFOREDUCATIONALEXPENSESforNONMonorChild513
i. Courtcanorderparenttopay
1. Educational expenses (college, vocational or professional, but also HS if
age 19) .
2. court can order either or both parents to pay up to bachelors degree; ends
at 23 except for good cause then 25
3. fasfa & other financial aid forms
4. cost of up to 5 applications, 2 standardized exams; and 1 prep class
5. Except for good cause, cost of tuition fees and room and board are not to
exceed of U and I at U/C cost for in state
6. Medical expenses, including insurance, and dental and reasonable living
expenses for resident or living at home (food, utilities and transportation)
7. $ to child, either party, school, or trust or special account
8. Supporting parent gets access to transcripts and name of school (unless
safety reasons); not to non academic records
9. ends : if not maintaining C average, except for illness or good cause; age
23; bachelors degree; marries; but: armed forces, incarceration or
pregnancy does not terminate authority of court to order
10. Accounts established before dissolution are a resource of child excpet for a
perents contributions after judgment;
a. Child not a 3rd party beneficiary except for death or disablity of
party who could file;
i. Child can only sue if other parent died or disabled
i. FactorsforEducationalExpenses:
1. PresentandfutureFinancialresourcesofbothparents,includingbutnotlimited
tosavingsforretirement
2. Standardoflivingthatchildwouldhaveenjoyedifnotfordivorce
3. Financialresourcesofthechild
4. Thechildsacademicperformance
ii. Canonlygetforexpensesfromdateoffilingapetition
iii. Therighttoenforcepriortoobligationtopaymaybeenforceb/4orafterobligation
incurred
j. SUPPORTFORNONMINORCHILDRENwithaDisablity514.5
i. SupportMayNeverEndcourtcanordersupport,evenafterchildreachesmajority,if
childismentallyorphysicallydisabledcanorderthesupportbepaidforever.
ii. Canbeoutofpropertyorincomeofbothorestateofadeceasedparent
iii. Moneycangotoparentorintoatrustforthebenefitofthechild
iv. Applicationcanbemadeb4orafterthechildhasattainedmajority;butunlessapplicationfor513
expensesarefiled,thedisabilitymusthavearisenwhilethechildwaseligibleforsupportunder505
or513
v. Courtshallconsider
1. PresentandfutureFinancialresourcesofbothparents,includingbutnotlimitedto
savingsforretirement
2. Standardoflivingthatchildwouldhaveenjoyedifnotfordivorce
3. Financialresourcesofthechild

4. Othergovernmentalresourcesavailabletothechild
k. Note
i. NEWLAW
1. limitsparentsresponsibilitiestopayposthighschooleducationexpensessothatthemax
amountapartycouldbeorderedtocontinuedissetatthecostofinstateattendanceatUni
ofIllChampagneUrbananotincludingmedicalandlivingexpenses
ii. NEWLAW
1. Anyonligationmustbeincurredbeforechilds23tdbirthdayunlessgoodcausecanbe
shown
2. Evenifgoodcauseisshown,noawardcaneverbemadeafterchilds25thbirthday
3. AlsoparentsobligationtopaywillterminateifchilddoesnotmaintainCaverageamong
otherthings
II. CASELAW
a. Schmidtv.Schmidt
i. Ifjudgeisgoingtodeviatefromguidelinesmustclearlyexplainwhy
ii. WithinjudgesdiscretiontopossiblygrantsupporttoWwhileHhaspossessionofchild
b. Solomonv.Findley
i. Momwentcontemptroutebcyoucanrequireothertopayortheygotojail.Herethecourtsaid
courtcannotorderviaacontemptorder.Thecourtsaidnoitscontract
ii. SpousecanagreeviaMSAtoacceptduties(thatwouldbeenforceableunderKtheory)beyond
childturningageofmajorityagreedtopayforeducationalexpenses
iii. Contracttheorycouldpossiblyholdonespouseincontempt(reasonforpursuingindivorcecourt)
iv. InILwhatwouldhappen?
1. Needtofilebeforetheystartschool
2. MSAisthecontractb/wthepartiesusuallyitsaysyouwillworkitwhenitcomesto
thatpoint.
3. Usuallysayswewillfigureitoutaccordingtothestatue
4. Youmustfileapetition,askingthepersontofile.
a. Promisetopayisworththepaperthatitswrittenon
b. Evenifyouwentthroughequitableestoppelmostlikelynotgoingtogeta
judgment
c. Curtisv.Kline
i. Constitutionality of statute that allowed court to order contribution to educational
expenses
ii. Judgeagreeswiththedissent
iii. ILhasstatute,thisdoesntmeanthasomeoneewillbeorderedtopay
iv. Ifyoudeviatefromguidelines,mustsaywhy
d. Ainsworthv.Ainsworth
i. Foundtherewassomelegalobligationtosupportstepfamily(notinIL)
ii. AjudgecanalwaysdeviatesupportofstepfamilycouldstillbeconsideredinIL
iii. RightnowILlaw:1stintime,1stinright
1. Sointotalincomeoffatheris100k,2children,eachdifferentmoms
a. Firstchildwouldget20percentof100k
b. Secondchildwoudget20percentof80k(youdeductpriorsupportordertoget
dadstotalincome)

e. Euniquev.Powell(SCOTUS2002)
i. Wwasdeniedpassportbecausesomuchinarrearsforchildsupport
ii. Rationalconnectionbetweenpassportdenialandnotpayingchildsupport
iii. Statehasalegitimateinterestinmakingsurepaymentsaremade
iv. Youcannotimpedeonabilitytotravelwithinstate
f. Turnerv.Rogers(SCOTUS2011)
i. Keyissuewhenholdingpartyincontempt=determinationreabilitytopay
ii. Ifthecustodialparent(entitledtoreceivesupport)isunrepresentedbycounsel,theStateneednot
providecounseltothenoncustodialparent(requiredtoprovidethesupport).However,thestate
mustnonethelesshaveinplacealternativeproceduresthatassureafundamentallyfairdetermination
ofthecriticalincarcerationrelatedquestionwhetherthesupportingparentisabletocomplywith
thesupportorder.

ALTERNATIVEDISPUTERESOLUTIONS
I. ILLINOISSUPREMECOURTRULES
a. Rule905Mediation
i. Mediationisrequiredforparentswhoarealreadyinconflictoverparentalresponsibility,
visitation,removal,andothernonchildsupportissuesrelatedtochildrenunlessthereisan
impedimentsuchasDV,substanceabuse,ormentalhealthdisorders.
1. CookCountyparentswillbereferredtoFamilyMediationServicesifthey
cannotagreetoamediator.
2. Mediationmaybeorderfornonchildrelatedissues
ii. Mandatorytrainingformediators
iii. Theremstbestatisticalreportsmaderegardingmediationresultsincourt
iv. Types:
1. Mediation3rdpartyisneutral
2. Arbitration3rdpartyisgoingtomakethedecision(couldbebindingornon
binding)
3. CollaborativeDivorcelawyersagreetonotgotocourtexceptfortheproveup;
ifcollaborativelawbreaksdown,thelawyershavetowithdraw
v. Topicscustodyandremoval(indivorceandpaternitycases)
1. InIllinois,youmustmediatecustody+visitation
vi. MediationAgreementjudgesshouldonlyrejectamediationagreementifitis
unconscionableoramanifestinjustice
II. SecondarySources
a. Morefollowthroughwithordersifclientsselfselect
b. BenefitsofADR=efficient,costeffective,moreselfdetermination,preserveresources,preserve
relationships,morecontroloveroutcome
c. BRIGIDDUFFIELDPRESENTATION
i. WaysClientsEndupinMediation:
1. (1)Selfselectin(privatemediation)
2. (2)Courtorderedmediationreachedanimpasse,mediation=wayofsettling
3. (3)Courtannexed
ii. WhendoClientsEndupinMediation:
1. Cangotomediationduring,before,orafterlitigation
2. However,peoplewillnotrevolvetheissueunlesstheyareready
iii. ImpairmentstoMediation:
1. DomesticViolence
2. Alcohol/drugabuse
3. Mentalillness
4. Litmustest=Canthepartiesnegotiateintheirbestinterest?
iv. SetUpofMediation:
1. ShuttleMediationseparatecompletely,mediatorismanagingbackandforth
(DV)
2. CaucusMediationstarttogetherandthenseparate
v. Agreement:
1. PrivateMediationlawyerswilldictatehowagreementshouldbeentered.Generally,the
attorneyswilldraftdocumentssometimeslawyerswillwantmemofrommediator.

a. Mediatorsdonotdraftdocumentsunlesslawyersrequest
b. Memorializedagreement
2. CourtOrdered
a. Mediatordraftsletterorreport
b. Mediatordoesnotdraftsettlement
vi. MediatorSHOULDNOTserveasAttorney.
1. Mediatorcanserveasattorneybutshouldnot!
vii. NARROWifnothingelse,mediationcannarrowtheissues/disagreementsbetween
parties
III. CASELAW
a. Fergusonv.Ferguson
i. $185,000=WsshareofequityHwasarguingthattherewasnoequityinthehouse
ii. Thiswasamediatedagreement(containedinMSA)adealsadeal.
iii. Courtrefusedtoallowimpossibilitydefenseitwasnottotallyunforeseeablethatthemarketwould
collapse
iv. Anticipatecontingencies!
v. Adealisadeal,absentfraudordistress,itwillbeheld.
vi.

MARTIALSETTLEMENTAGREEMENT
I. ILLINOISSTATUTES
a. AGREEMENT502
i. Formcanbewrittenororal
1. Putitinwritingunlessgoodcauseshownwiththeapprovalofthecourtbefore
proceedingtoanoralproveup
2. Mayhappenrightbeforegoingtotrial
3. CandooralproveupandthendeliverwrittenMSA
4. Errortoonlysubmitbasedonoralagreement
5. Ifthereisadiscrepancybetweenwhatwassaidversuswhatiswritten,written
agreementcontrols.
ii. MustInclude:
1. Childcustody
2. Supportnottaxable
3. Visitation
4. MaintenanceIFWAIVED,ITSFOREVER
a. Personwhoreceivestaxable
b. Personwhogivesdeductible
5. PropertyDistribution
a. Taxablebasisinadivorcesituation,whateverbasiswasattimeof
purchaseversuswhatitisnow
6. Shouldincludeattorneysfees
iii. Effect:
1. Bindingbindingonthecourtexceptastochildsupport/custody/visitationunless
courtfindsthattheyareunconscionable
a. Unlessotherwiseprovidedfor,theMSAwillbesetforthinthejudgment
b. Ifjudgefindsomethingunconscionablejudgeusuallyinstructspartiesto
renegotiateorelsetheywillhavetrial
2. NotUnconscionableotherprovisionsmustnotbeunconscionable
3. NotModifiablepartiescanexpresslysaythatastomaintenanceandproperty,the
partiescanmakeitnonmodifiable
4. ChildSupport/Visitationpaymentofchildsupportandvisitationarenotlegally
connected,butpracticallyspeakingtheyareconnected
iv. 513postmajoritysupport
1. parentalallocationcanbemodifiedifthereisashowingofsubstantialchangeof
circumstances
2. propertyisNONmodifiable
3. judgmentcanprecludemodificationofotherthingsbutchildrelatedissuesbecause
ofchangeincircumstances
v. Taxes
1. Whogetsdependencyexemption?
2. Whoevergetscustodyorprimaryallocationofparentalresponsibilitywould
normallygetthedependencyexemptionunlesspartiesagreedotherwise
3. Jointtaxreturncandothisornotisdeterminedbyyourmaritalstatusonthelast
dayoftheyear
4. Childsupportneitherdeductibleorincludedastaxableincome

5. Thereisnogainorlossrecognizedwhenthetitleofanypropertyistransferredin
divorce
II. CASELAW
a. Edwardsonv.Edwardson(KY)ShouldcourtslookatMSA+determinewhetherthisisagood
deal?
i. KYStandard=(1)fulldisclosure+(2)notunconscionableatthetimeitisbeingenforced
ii. CourtanalyzedwhetherornotMSAwaspermissibledealattimeofenforcement
iii. Prenumptualagreementareenforceable
b. Simeonev.Simeone(PA)ShouldcourtslookatMSA+justenforceit?
i. AttorneypresentedWwithprenuptthenightbeforewedding
ii. Courtdecidedtoenforceitviacontractlaw(adealsadeal)
1. Norequirementthatyouhavetoconsultwithlawyer
c. IllinoisApproach
i. Justenforceit!
ii. Doesnotmatterifitwasagooddealatthetimeyouenteredintoit
1. Buttheremusthavebeenfulldisclosure
iii. Willbeenforcedundercontractprinciples
iv. MSAsv.PreNupts
1. ForMSAs,courtshavetomakesurethatitsnotunconscionablewhenitsentered,
butifitsbeenentered,itwillbeenforcedundercontractprinciples
2. Forprenupts,adealisadealinIllinois
d. Duffyv.DuffyOralMSA
i. Hdecidedtostartpaying$2000insteadof$5000insupport
ii. Hshouldhaveconsideredcontingencieslikepossiblylosinghisjob
iii. MSAwasenforceddealsadeal.
iv. IllinoisApproachanoralMSAwouldhavebeenallowed+casewouldcomeoutthe
same

ADOPTION
I. ILLINOISSTATUTES
a. JuvenileCourtActOverview
i. MainGoalIfpossibletodoso,kidsaretobekeptintheirhomes
1. Everythingshouldbedonewithhumaneconcern
ii. ProceduralRights:minorshavethesameproceduralrightsasadultsunlessspecifically
precludedbylawswhichenhancetheprotectionofsuchminors
iii. ConcurrentPlanningshouldoccurinmostcases
1. (1)workingtosolveproblemwhycasecameintothesystem
2. (2)backupplanforthefuture
iv. ExpeditedTerminationUndersomeextremecircumstances,youdonothavetogo
throughallthenormalsteps
1. IfparentshavealreadyhadanotherchildrenremovedandTPR
2. Chronicabuse
3. 1stdegreemurder
4. sexoffenses
5. torture
6. otherchildrenareterminate
7. parentwhoarenevergongtobeabletocareforchildren(mental)
b. NEGLECT
i. Childisunder18yearsold
ii. Notreceivingproperornecessarysupport,education,medication,orotherremedialcare
iii. Childmustreceivenecessarycare+adequatefoodandshelter
iv. Achildisnotneglectedifleftwithanotherresponsibleadult
v. Environmentinjurioustowelfare
vi. Childrenwhotestpositiveatbirthfordrugs/alcohol
vii. Kidsbeinglefthomealone
viii. Newbornprotectionact:ifyoudropbabyoffwithanotherhumanthennoneglect
ix. Remainwardofthecourttill19andcanbeextendeduntil21
c. ABUSE
i. Under18member,
ii. Statuteidentifiesagroupofpeopleaspossibleabusers:
1. Parent,immediatefamily,personresponsiblefortheminorswelfare,orany
personwhoisinthesamefamilyorhouseholdastheminororindividualresiding
inthesamehomeasminor,oraparamour
iii. Lossofbodilyfunction,disfigurement,impairment,nonaccidentalabuse
iv. Affirmativeaction
v. Involuntaryservitude
vi. Sexualservitude
vii. Excessivecorporalpunishment
d. DEPENDENCY
i. Childwithoutparentorguardian
ii. Childwithoutpropercare(becauseoftheirparentsconditions)
iii. Withoutpropermedicalcarethroughnofaultofparent
iv. Ifsomeoneisdependent,parentscannotlosetheirparentalrightsthroughtermination

v. NoreligiousexemptioninIllinois
e. DELINQUENCY
i. 705ilcs405/5103:delinquentminormeansanyminorwhopriortohisorher18th
birthdayhasviolatedorattemptedtoviolate,regardlessofwheretheactoccurred,any
federal,State,countyormunicipallaworordinance
ii. If16orolder,canbeprosecutedasadult(inprisonuntil21butsubjecttoexceptions)
f. ILhasnobrightlinetestforcorporalpunishmentreasonableness
II. CASELAW
a. InreB.H.
i. Adoptive/fostermotherwaschargedwithexcessivecorporalpunishment
ii. 15yearoldandfostermomgotinphysicalfight,mombitchild
iii. Wasthisexcessivecorporalpunishment?
1. Courtsaidthatbiting/scratchingwasbeyondboundsofreasonableness
b. Walkerv.SuperiorCourt
i. ISSUE: Whether a prosecution for involuntary manslaughter and felony child endangerment
can be maintained against the mother of a child who died of meningitis after receiving
treatment by prayer instead of medical attention.
ii. Otherremedialcare=provisionisILcodeaswell
iii. CASCallowedcriminalprosecution
iv. MotherhadanotherdaughterwhowasallowedtochoosewhetherornottobeaChristian
Scientist
c. Hernanson
i. Parentswerehighlyeducated
ii. Theywereconvicted,buttheirconvictionwasthrownout
iii. Youcanstillbesubjecttocriminalpenaltiesdespitereligiousconvictions
III. Extendedreadingnotes
WALKER V. SUPERIOR COURT Supplement
Supreme Court of California (1988)
NATURE OF CASE: Medical Neglect
FACT SUMMARY:
- Mother was Christian Scientist
- Four year old daughter died from acute meningitis after provided her with spiritual treatment instead of
medical care
- Shauntay fell ill with flu-like symptoms4 days later had a stiff neck
- called Christian Scientist prayer practitioner and CS nurse to help her daughter
- Shauntay lost weight, grew disoriented, and had a period of heavy and irregular breathing
- Shauntay died after 17 days without medical treatment
ISSUE: Whether a prosecution for involuntary manslaughter and felony child endangerment can be maintained
against the mother of a child who died of meningitis after receiving treatment by prayer instead of medical
attention.
CONCISE RULE OF LAW:
HOLDING: Prosecution was permitted by statute as well as by the free exercise and due process clauses of the
state and federal Constitution. See also #1-5 in bold below.

DECISION:
- (1) Exemption to misdemeanor Child Neglect Statute for parents who utilized prayer treatment in lieu of
medical care did not provide defense to prosecution for involuntary manslaughter and felony child
endangerment
o Overruled earlier case (Arnold) and concluded that 270 exempted parent who use prayer
treatment from the statutory requirement to furnish medical care
Based on language of statute found that prayer could be alternative to medical care
o However, based on the language in the provision exempting parentsonly applied as used in this
sectionlimited this exception to the Child Abuse/Neglect statute
Court noted that conduct that may be legal in one statutory context may be actionable
under separate statutes created for different purposes
Court also analyzed different purposes of child neglect statute and criminal code
Child neglect statute = ensuring that parents take care of their kids
Criminal code = protecting citizens from immediate and grievous bodily harm
- (2) Child welfare statutes providing that children receiving treatment by prayer shall not for that
reason alone be considered abused or neglected did not evince legislative sanction for prayer
treatment of children in life-threatening circumstances
o Legislature knew about this gap and chose to leave the matter unaddressed
They knew parents could be exempt under 270 but liable under criminal code
tried to argue that intent to exempt under 270 is implied in other statutes
Court says no
Court looked to statutes that involved the threat of serious physical harm or
illness to children and noted that the legislature had enabled courts in those
instances to step in
Legislative Intentwhen a childs health is seriously jeopardized, the right of a parent to
rely exclusively on prayer must yield.
o Prayer treatment will be accommodated as an acceptable means of attending to the needs of a
child only insofar as serious physical harm or illness is not at risk
When a childs life is placed in danger, court found no intent to shield parents from the
chastening prospect of felony liability
- (3) Provision of prayer alone to seriously ill child may constitute criminal negligence sufficient to support
involuntary manslaughter and felony child endangerment prosecutions
o argued that (regardless of the religious exemption) she could not be convicted under either
manslaughter or felony child endangerment
o Argued state couldnt prove necessary culpability
o cited to cases from the 19th century
o also argued that she sincerely and in good faith tried to treat Shauntay with prayer
o Court shuts this down too
The question is whether a reasonable person in s position would have been aware of
the risk involved
This inquiry would be based on the objective reasonableness of the s conduct, not her
subjective intent
o Whether this s particular conduct was sufficiently culpable to justify a conviction of involuntary
manslaughter and felony child endangerment was a question for the jury
- (4) Prosecution did not violate free exercise clause of State or Federal Constitution
o To determine whether governmental regulation of religious conduct violates the first amendment,
the gravity of the states interest must be balanced against the severity of the religious imposition

Governmental interest = protecting childrens lives
Religious Interest = not enough
Noted that there was no sin or stigma involved for mom if she sought medical
assistance
Regardless of the severity of the religious imposition, the governmental interest is plainly
adequate to justify its restrictive effect
Parents have no right to free exercise of religion at the price of a childs life
o The imposition of felony liability for failure to seek medical care for a seriously ill child is justified
by a compelling state interest
Also, found that an adequately effective and less restrictive alternative is not available to
further the states interest in assuring the provision of medical care to gravely ill children
who refuse medical care for their children
- (5) Prosecution under existing statutes did not infringe upon due process by failing to provide notice of
illegal conduct
o Due process requires that a statute be definite enough to provide:
(1) a standard of conduct for those whose activities are proscribed, and
(2) a standard for police enforcement and for ascertainment of guilt
o The statutes in this case did not invite standardless law enforcement
They clearly identified their respective proscriptions
o Is it lawful for a parent to rely solely on treatment by spiritual means through prayer for the care
of her child during the first few days of sickness, but not for the 4 th or 5th day?
The law is full of instances where a mans fate depends on his estimating rightly
The matter of degree that persons relying on prayer treatment must estimate rightly is
the point at which their course of conduct becomes criminally negligent
o argued the statutes had inexplicably contradictory command[s]
Court said that the legality of s conduct under 270 was not a command
o Overall there was sufficient notice to that her provision of prayer alone to her daughter would
be accommodated only insofar as the child was not threatened with serious physical harm or
illness
HERMANSON V. STATE Supplement

Supreme Court of FL (1992)
NATURE OF CASE: Parents were convicted of felony child abuse and 3 rd degree murder for providing
FACT SUMMARY:
- s daughter died from untreated juvenile diabetes
- H and W were members of First Church of Christ, Scientist
- Charged and convicted of child abuse resulting 3 rd degree murder for failing to provide their daughter with
conventional medical treatment
- Both parents were highly educatedno criminal records
- No facts indicating that the parents abused or otherwise neglected their child
- Amys death could have been prevented even up until hours before her death with adequate medical
attention
- When Amy fell ill, her parents had 3 different helpers from the church come pray over her/try to heal
her
- Juvenile Court Hearing
o Dept. of Health and Rehabilitative Servs. Told parents they were investigating before Amy died
o Report = unfounded
- Amys disease progressed slower than Walker

o Month or so got progressively worse
o Sunken eyes
o Blueish skin
o Fruity breath
o Vomiting and constipation
o Weight loss
ISSUE: Was the spiritual treatment proviso contained in the Florida statute for child abuse/neglect a statutory
defense to a criminal prosecution?
CONCISE RULE OF LAW:
HOLDING: When considered together, spiritual treatment accommodation provision and child abuse statute failed
to give parents notice of point at which their reliance on spiritual treatment lost statutory approval and became
culpably negligent.
DECISION:
- Ultimately Founddenial of due process because the statutes in question failed to give parents notice
of the point at which their reliance on spiritual treatment loses statutory approval and becomes
criminally negligent
- Statutory History
o Exception to Neglect Statute:
A parent or other person responsible for the childs welfare legitimately practicing his
religious beliefs, who by reason thereof does not provide specified medical treatment for
a child, may not be considered abusive or neglectful for that reason alone.
- Procedural History
o State argued
s reliance on Christian Science healing practices under these circumstances = culpable
negligence
s were not legitimately practicing their religious beliefs
Suggested that Christian Science church recognizes conventional medical care
o Jury asked for clarifications:
Do Christian Scientists have a choice to go to a medical doctor if they want to?
If not, can they call a doctor at a certain point?
Do they need permission first?
o Jury Convicted them
15 years probation
On appeal, the district court affirmed
- Appeal to Supreme Court
o s raised four issues ( failed to meet burden, 1st Amendment claim, error to allow s
statement)
o Court analyzed the case primarily on procedural due process grounds
Noted that courts at lower levels had been confused by the statutes at issue
Persuaded by State v. McKownlack of clarity between two statutes
State had attempted to take away with one hand what it had given with the other
Disagreed with Walker
The state had trapped s, they had no fair warning of whether their conduct was
criminal
Legislature failed to make clear at which point a parents reliance on his or her religious
beliefs becomes criminalwhatever the legislature chooses, they have to make it clear

BabyRichardcase
Whathappened?
o Basically,IllinoisSupremeCourtruledthatcourtscanonlyconsiderabestinterestif
parentisdeterminedtobeunfitwhichisnotwhathappenedsoadoptionwasimproper
becausedadsrightswereimproperlyterminated.
Argumentsforbiodadtohaverights
o dadtriedhisbesttofindoutbabysexistenceandfoundout3monthsafter
heimmediatelyassertedhisparentalrights
o dadshouldhaveassertedhisrightsearlierbyhiringalawyersooner
o isitreallyaBIcase
insteadshouldhavefocusedonthatrightoffatherwereimproperlyterminatedand
becauseofthatimpropertermination,therestofthecasewasfuckedup
o Itsa2stepprocess
1.Fitnesstest
ifdadisfoundunfit,thenyougotoBIstandard
Argumentsagainstdadhavingkid
o shouldtherebeapolicychangethatadoptiveparentsmustmakeefforttofindnaturalparents
o Momreallythoughtthatdadhadabandonedherandlistedhimasunknown
o reversaldoesnotmeanthatDadshouldgetkids
o Thereshouldbeabestintersthearing
o Shouldnottakekidawayfromonlyparentheknew
o KidandDadDONOThavethesameinterests
o Sinceboywas4yearsold,hehasbeenwithadoptiveparents
Legislature created baby richard law, made it so that even if adopted parents fail in petition,
they can keep custodial rights.


MISCELLANEOUS
SHOULDYOUEVERREPRESENTBOTHPARTIESINADIVORCE?NO.NEVER.
o Evenwithfulldisclosure+informedconsent+noapparentconflictbetweenthepartiesconflict
mayarise.Theremaybeawaytodothiswithoutviolatinganyethicsrules,butdon'tdoit.
o 750ILCS5/508
NewChangestotheIllinoisMarriageandDissolutionAct
Therevisedlaweliminatesallofthefaultbasedgroundsforgettingdivorced,leavingtheonly
groundsofirreconcilabledifferences.
o NOFAULT
Further,insteadofhavingtoproveastatutoryperiodofseparation,thenewlaweliminatesthe
separationperiodaswell.
Thesechangesshiftthefocusawayfromhavingthepartiesblameoneanotherforthedivorcein
ordertoallowthemtoproceedasamicablyandquicklyaspossible.
Procedure
o OLDLAWThereusedtobenotimelimitforcourttorenderfinaljudgmentofdissolutionofmarriage
NEWLAWNOWcourtmustenteritsjudgmentwithin60daysoftheclosingofproofsoraftera
trial.
o OLDLAWUsedtobethathearingsfortemporarychildsupportandmaintenanceareevidentiaryinnature
NEWLAWRevisedlawprovidethattemporarychildsupportandmaintenancecanbeheardona
summarybasissononeedforcomprehensive,evidentiaryhearingswhichappliesnotpreandpost
dissolution
o OLDNAWcourtmustmakeadecisionrelatedtocustodywithin18monthsoffiling
NEWLAWpartiesmustsubmitaparentingagreementwithin120daysoffilingfordivorce
CalculationofSupport
o NEWLAW
nowletsachildsupportpayordeductstudentloanpaymentsincalculatinghisorhernetincome
o NEWLAW
limitsparentsresponsibilitiestopayposthighschooleducationexpensessothatthemaxamounta
partycouldbeorderedtocontinuedissetatthecostofinstateattendanceatUniofIllChampagne
Urbananotincludingmedicalandlivingexpenses
o NEWLAW
Anyonligationmustbeincurredbeforechilds23tdbirthdayunlessgoodcausecanbeshown
Evenifgoodcauseisshown,noawardcaneverbemadeafterchilds25thbirthday
AlsoparentsobligationtopaywillterminateifchilddoesnotmaintainCaverageamongother
things
Random
Deputy mike drugan, attorney david levy, and attorney bridget Duffield

Family Law Outline

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g. 603.5. Temporary Orders

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Divorce lawyers do not make any money

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c. 5 children 45%, 6 or more 50%

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a. financial needs and resources of the child

b. financial needs and resources of the parents

c. the standard of living for child if no divorce

d. physical, mental, and emotional needs of the child

e. educational needs of the child

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HERMANSON V. STATE Supplement