Many people who get divorced often find love and happiness again in second marriages. A step-family, sometimes called a “blended” or “bonus” family, is a family in which at least one parent has children from a previous marriage or relationship. Blended families can be wonderful, especially when step-parents wish to adopt the children of their spouse as a way of making their family more “complete.” This is referred to as a related adoption, since one of the adoptive parents is related to the child who is being adopted. In fact, this is the most common form of adoption in North America. 

A step-parent who adopts his or her stepchild agrees to become that child’s legal parent and to be fully responsible for the child until the child is an adult. Once the adoption is final, the other biological parent’s name is replaced with the adopting parent’s name on the child’s birth certificate. In some cases, the child’s name may also be changed on the birth certificate.

Usually, a step-parent adoption is easier and takes less time to accomplish than other kinds of adoption. While other adoptions usually involve two new parents, a step-parent adoption basically just “replaces” one parent. In addition, a court will typically expedite the adoption process when one of the parents is deceased, since it is in the best interests of the child to have two parents. In this situation, a step-parent will just need to show the death certificate as proof.

When a couple makes the decision to end their marriage, they may expect the divorce process to be hostile and contested. However, many aspects of a divorce can be settled between spouses in an amicable and respectful manner. One of the most effective ways to resolve the issues involved in a divorce case is through mediation. 

What Is Divorce Mediation? 

Here in the United States, mediation is one of the most common methods of dispute resolution used by divorcing couples. Mediation is a process in which the two spouses work together with a third-party mediator to reach a divorce settlement that works for both spouses. 

The benefits of mediating your divorce can be numerous. Most notably, mediation allows you to have some control over the decision-making process. This means that you and your spouse can try to work together to determine what is fair for both parties and reach solutions that ultimately may not have been possible through a standard, court-driven legal process. Because the divorce is settled privately between the two of you, there is no public record of the mediation. This allows for a level of privacy that is not possible in a standard divorce. Mediation may also allow you to complete the divorce process more quickly since you can reach a settlement without the need for multiple court hearings or a divorce trial. 

Every year, thousands of American couples make the difficult decision to pursue a divorce. A divorce can represent an opportunity to start a new and independent life. However, when children are involved, the divorce process can be incredibly tense. For fathers, a divorce can be frightening, considering the overwhelming statistical evidence that the majority of sole-custody parents are mothers. If you are looking to secure significant parental responsibilities as a father, you need quality legal assistance. 

Securing Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities 

Due to recent changes in Illinois’ state law, child custody is now referred to as the “allocation of parental responsibilities.” While both parents will typically receive some amount of “parenting time” (as long as there are no issues regarding domestic abuse or other criminal activity), one parent may still be the primary residential parent. As a father, it is important to understand the steps you need to take in order to remain a primary figure in your child’s life, including: 

Be Engaged: Under the new state law, the courts in Illinois can grant a parent decision-making rights regarding four primary subjects: religion, education, health, and extracurricular activities. In order to have an opportunity to either reach an agreement with your former spouse or be awarded the rights in these areas, it is important for you to be highly engaged in your children’s lives. 

Every year, thousands of American couples file for divorce. Ending your marriage can be one of the most emotionally trying times in your life, but sometimes a divorce can come with more than just emotional challenges. In the aftermath of a divorce, many people are left with a complete lack of financial security. In order to avoid this, you may wish to enter into a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement that will ensure that your financial future will be intact, no matter what happens in your marriage. When preparing to secure the financial well-being of you and your family, it would be very wise to meet with a skilled family law attorney regarding a prenup or postnup. 

What a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement Could Mean For You 

A prenuptial agreement is a private agreement made between a couple prior to their marriage. The agreement will explicitly define the manner in which the couple’s assets will be divided in the event of a divorce, and it may address other issues, such as spousal maintenance. Here in the state of Illinois, prenuptial agreements are defined under the Illinois Uniform Premarital Agreement Act. According to Illinois state law, a prenup is only valid after both parties have signed and consented to the terms of the agreement. 

A postnuptial agreement is a comparable document that is entered into after a couple has married. Sometimes, spouses may elect to use a postnuptial agreement because of the sensitive nature of discussing financial matters, and the possibility of divorce, prior to getting married. 

When a couple begins the divorce process, it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions. On one hand, a divorce can represent a new opportunity at happiness. On the other, a divorce is a separation from someone you once thought you would spend the rest of your life with. When children are involved, a divorce can be especially emotional. 

Child custody is one of the most important and contentious elements in a divorce. Custody (now called the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois) may be only part of the battle, as many spouses will attempt to avoid paying child support. If you are looking to secure child support payments from your former spouse, you need the help of a skilled and aggressive legal team.