Family Law

• Divorce
  At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC, our team handles divorce cases of all types, including those that are "contested." A contested divorce is a marriage dissolution in which the spouses are largely unable to cooperate effectively. Many such divorces may be contested from the very beginning, while others may begin amicably but become contentious at some point along the way. Depending on the circumstances, some contested divorce cases can be resolved through mediation or direct negotiations between the parties' attorneys. However, it is also possible that litigation and a trial may become necessary, which means that it will be up to a judge to settle any unresolved issues.
• Child Support
  In the state of Illinois, an order for child support is usually issued when a couple with children gets divorced. A child support order is also likely when an unmarried couple who has children together decides to go their separate ways. Child support is generally to aid the recipient parent in meeting their child's basic needs, including food, clothing, and a safe place to live. At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC, however, we realize that there is much more to raising a child, and the costs associated with doing so can be unmanageable for a single parent. Our team is prepared to guide you in obtaining help from your child's other parent for expenses such as extracurricular activities, child care, and healthcare.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Disputes related to children are certainly among the most challenging and sensitive cases in the entire realm of family law. The intensely personal nature of matters such as the allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody), parenting time (visitation) schedules, or relocations to a new city or state can cause parents to struggle to stay focused on serving their child's best interests. Stress, anger, and resentment can easily cloud a parent's judgment in the midst of such disputes. To guard against reactions like this, the court has the discretion to appoint a specially trained attorney to help determine the best course of action in a particular case. This attorney may serve as a "guardian ad litem" or a "child's representative," depending on the county and the judge.
• Adoption
  Stepparent or co-parent adoption: If your spouse has a child from a prior relationship, a stepparent adoption can establish a legal parent-child relationship between you and the child. Co-parent or second-parent adoptions offer similar benefits and may be appropriate for same-sex couples
• Paternity
• Premarital Agreement
  At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC, we believe that it is just as important, if not more so, for a couple preparing to "tie the knot" to look beyond the wedding day and to offer the same type of consideration to preparing for the marriage itself. For many couples, such consideration and planning can lead to the development of a prenuptial agreement that offers long-term security and peace of mind to both parties. If you will soon be getting married, our team can help you understand how a prenuptial agreement will work for your situation. If you are already married, it is not too late; a postnuptial agreement may be an appropriate alternative.
• Spousal Support
  Under Illinois law, most family law-related court orders can be modified and updated if there are valid reasons for doing so. Generally, an order for spousal support is one that can be changed when necessary. Whether the original order was intended to be temporary or long-term, it may be possible to obtain a modification if certain conditions are met.
• Legal Separation
  When a couple is having serious problems, it is not uncommon for one spouse to move out of the marital home and find a new place to live for a period of time. Most people would describe a couple in such a situation as being "separated." It is important to understand, however, that this type of separation is not considered a "legal separation" under Illinois law. Instead, the spouses are considered "living separate and apart," and there are important distinctions between the two.

Criminal Law

• Restraining Order
  Illinois law gives judges the authority to issue orders of protection when a person has been a victim or is in danger of domestic violence. Sometimes known as a restraining order or a protection from abuse (PFA) order, an order of protection is a court-issued directive that is enforceable by law. Orders of protection are intended to prevent physical, emotional, and psychological abuse by limited contact between victims and their alleged abusers.

Finance Law

• Tax Law
  There are also taxes to consider when it comes to spousal maintenance. Recent amendments to the United States Tax Code eliminated maintenance-related tax deductions for the paying spouse, and maintenance payments are also no longer considered taxable income for the spouse who receives them. This means that the paying spouse is likely to be responsible for a larger tax bill than he or she might have been under the previous law. Mr. Ross and his team understand that tax issues such as these can lead to serious disagreements and drawn-out battles between divorcing spouses, and we are equipped to help you find a resolution.