Divorce mediation, an alternative to traditional divorce proceedings, is a means to resolve the complex issues of a divorce. Mediation involves the services of a trained and neutral person who works with the parties to facilitate the settlement of disputed
Alan Pearlman
Since 1974 Alan Pearlman, Ltd. has counseled over 5,000 complex divorce matters and over 10,000 criminal matters including thousands of DUI cases. Concentrating on Family Law matters, the firm assists with Adoption, Child Custody Matters, Dissolution of Marriage(Divorce), Child Support, Visitation and Maintenance (formerly known as Alimony). Mr. Pearlman serves on several Bar Association special interest groups and committees, including former Chair of the Chicago Bar’s committee on legal technology.
Effect of Separation and Divorce on Estates and Trusts
Most people are aware that a surviving spouse is usually entitled to inherit all or a large portion of the estate of a deceased spouse. Fewer understand the effect on estates if one spouse dies during a legal separation or…
Division of Retirement Benefits Upon Divorce
Upon divorce, all debts, property and assets must be divided between the spouses according to applicable percentages set by state law. In equitable distribution states, the court divides marital property (or property acquired during the marriage) according to what is…
January is the most popular month for divorce — here’s the financial upside!
After surviving the holidays, many people are preparing to serve their spouse with divorce papers — and, as one expert notes, that can be a good thing for some households.
January typically has a surge in divorce filings as people…
Illinois’ New Cannabis Legalization Laws Include Provisions for Expungement of Marijuana Offenses
Illinois has recently enacted one of the most far-reaching cannabis legalization laws of any state in the country. The law will become effective January 1, 2020, contains provisions for the expungement of cannabis-related offenses.
Over the past decades, hundreds of…
Legal Liability for the Acts of Minors
In most states, the age of majority (when a person is recognized by law as an adult), is 18 years of age or older. A “minor” is a person who is under the age of 18. When a minor breaks…
“Excess Alimony” Under Federal Tax Laws
Most divorces involve a division of property between the spouses. If there are children from the marriage, the parent not granted custody usually must pay monthly child support. In addition, one of the spouses may be granted monthly alimony or…
Special Tax Rules for Community Property
Many folks in Illinois have questions regarding Community Property and sometimes travel under the false assumption that Illinois has Community Property. First and foremost let me clarify that ILLINOIS IS NOT a community property state, but here are some clarifications…
Visitation Rights of Grandparents
All 50 states have laws authorizing certain nonparent parties, typically grandparents, to seek child visitation rights. These statutes are controversial, and parents often argue that the laws interfere with their fundamental constitutional right to rear their children, which includes the…
Differences Between Collaborative Divorce and Divorce Mediation
Couples that seek to dissolve their marriages without the challenges of litigation often turn to alternative dispute resolution. Non-litigation settlement strategies are particularly effective for couples committed to maintaining respectful relationships with their spouses after the divorce, and may also…