Get free answers to your Family Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My mother died on 12/19/24. My sister who hsa her POA over her finances refuses to give me any information regarding her estate. I know i am entitled to half. How can i go about getting my half of the estate? I do not know if my mother had a will or not. She refuses to provide me this... View More

answered on Jan 29, 2025
The POA died with your mother. If there is a will, it should be filed with the circuit clerk of the county she lived in within 30 days of her death. You can get a copy there. Do you know who the lawyer would have been that drafted poa's and maybe a will? If so, check there to see if they... View More
She was pregnant a while back but she couldn’t go full term. And then they basically told my mom that they have a relationship and the baby might be my uncles child. Plz help idk what to do or feel about this!

answered on Jan 29, 2025
This is a matter that should be brought to the police, not to a family attorney. Illinois law prohibits certain categories of close family members from engaging in penetrative sexual intercourse. This includes aunts and uncles with nieces and nephews. Additionally, if your sister is a minor, your... View More
We both would like to start with our will. Him being 73 y/o, and I am 63. We need assistance in how we can start with it, God knows, what will happen one day. Is there a form that we can get and have it notarized, for each one of us separately? I think we need the financial will, living will and... View More

answered on Jan 27, 2025
As an unmarried couple, albeit a long-term one, the law would not provide any transfer of the assets of each of you at your passings to the other person. You need 2 wills to achieve the results you are seeking. In them you could structure the passing of your assets and create a medical power of... View More
I got gifted a ps5 and my mother took it. I don’t live with her and she isn’t my guardian. She blocked me on everything and wont answer my grandpa or grandma calling despite them being my guardians. The game was gifted to me and when I was living with her I always had a game with no problems.... View More

answered on Jan 29, 2025
To add to the other attorney's answer: while you state that your grandparents are your guardians, it's not clear from your statement whether you are just using the term informally - i.e. that they are the people you live with who watch over you. For your mom to lose her rights or have her... View More
My husband is divorcing me and was having a sexual relationship with another woman while we had been separated for 2 months. He had been bringing her into our home and even going to see her while I was away. Our divorce isn’t finalized so is that still considered adultery? He is also in the Navy.

answered on Dec 2, 2024
First, I’m sorry to hear about this difficult situation. Dealing with an affair during a separation is incredibly hard, and I understand how challenging this must be for you.
In Illinois, fault-based grounds for divorce (such as adultery) are no longer recognized, so an affair doesn’t... View More
A small mortgage was obtained later for pay for siding. I have invested more than I can get if I sell the home. If the home is sold, how would the law define the home's equity? How would it be split between spouses?

answered on Nov 6, 2024
With some exceptions, the general rule is anything acquired during the marriage is presumed to be marital property. There are some facts missing from your question that might help to better answer this. It sounds like non marital funds were used during the marriage to purchase the home. Without... View More
I didn't even know he was going out of state to see his sister and I get temporary custody papers in the mail...I go to court in New York to pick my son up and they wouldn't release him to me... Even though there were no allegations on me

answered on Oct 10, 2024
Is there a custody order in either state? This is a complicated matter that requires a phone call. I practice in Illinois but not in all counties in Illinois. It looks like you are from Paris, and if that is where your case is filed I would not be able to represent you. However, you need an... View More
1) Per my divorce decree, my ex wife and I are to present W2's each year. This was never done, however I experienced a decrease in income since the maintenance was set 6 years ago. If it were determined that I overpaid during any year, is that reimbursable in court? If I underpaid during... View More

answered on Jul 13, 2024
Hello,
Thank you for your questions about spousal support (maintenance) in Illinois. Here's some information that may help address your concerns:
1. Reimbursement for Overpayment of Maintenance
Yes, under Illinois law, if you overpaid maintenance due to a decrease in... View More

answered on Jul 13, 2024
Hello,
I'm sorry to hear about the verbal, mental, and financial abuse you've experienced. It's important to remember that domestic violence (DV) isn't limited to physical harm. The behaviors you describe are forms of DV, and it's not your fault.
You are... View More
He is upset at me for showing up at his mom's house at midnight after his location previously indicated he wasn't there/was turned off and he wouldn't answer my phone calls/text messages. He said he was at a friends' house. The issue I have is that he's driving my truck... View More

answered on May 27, 2024
Sounds like you need to take the truck privileges away. If he goes to his mom, she can provide him with a car or sign this one over to her so it's not your problem when you can't supervise him and he ends up in a bad accident. Is he going to go to school there? Does mom want him full... View More
I would like to get my photos removed from my stepmom's Facebook page as they are my photos that were taken when I was a minor under the illegal guardianship of my stepmom. Since those photos of me were taken by my stepmom who was not my legal guardian, I believe I have a right to them and... View More

answered on May 22, 2024
I think you would have to file a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to order her to remove them. But I think you also would have to add what harm they are doing to you. And put when the last time was that she put one up. Children don't have control of who takes care of them.
I would like to get my photos removed from my stepmom's Facebook page as they are my photos that were taken when I was a minor under the illegal guardianship of my stepmom. Since those photos of me were taken by my stepmom who was not my legal guardian, I believe I have a right to them and... View More

answered on Jun 8, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about the difficult situation with your stepmother. This is a complex issue that involves several areas of law. Here are a few key points to consider:
1. Guardianship: If your stepmom was not your legal guardian at the time the photos were taken, she may not have had... View More
Is it allowed / legal? Would the judge read it? I do not mind if this is shared with the attorneys/opposing counsel.

answered on May 2, 2024
In Illinois, it's not appropriate or even advisable to write directly to the judge in your divorce case. Communication with the judge typically needs to go through formal channels, such as your lawyer or through legal filings. Judges that receive mail from litigants do not read the mail, and... View More
Im in a situation were I feel very unsafe in ym dad´s current home. Ever since he picked me up from my mom´s house my grades have been failing, I was admitted into a psych ward, I started substance abuse and my depression has skyrocketed since 2020. My dad did not have legal permission to keep me... View More

answered on Apr 18, 2024
I don't believe so. This is a custody case, not a juvenile abuse and neglect case. You are saying what your behavior was, but using drugs is on you, your dad did not force you to use them. Your dad doesn't do your homework or take your tests, it sounds like he kidnapped you and mom... View More
my parents are moving in with my grandma into a small bedroom and dont have room for me (17) or my brother (16) but my sister will let us move in so were not homeless do my parents have any rights to tell me no even if i would be homeless due to the situation

answered on Apr 1, 2024
Taking your question at face value, if your parents move in with your grandma but tell you that you can't move in with them, that is the kind of situation that would possibly cause the state to TPR, in which case you likely would be ordered to live with the closest adult relative who would... View More
my parents are moving in with my grandma into a small bedroom and dont have room for me (17) or my brother (16) but my sister will let us move in so were not homeless do my parents have any rights to tell me no even if i would be homeless due to the situation

answered on Mar 31, 2024
Yes. Until you are 18 your parents have control over you. They can decide you live at grandma's on the couch or floor, that all of you go to a homeless shelter or wherever it may be absent filth, bugs or feces.
my parents are moving in with my grandma into a small bedroom and dont have room for me (17) or my brother (16) but my sister will let us move in so were not homeless do my parents have any rights to tell me no even if i would be homeless due to the situation

answered on Apr 2, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about your family's difficult situation. This must be a very stressful and scary time for all of you. A few key points:
As a minor at age 17, your parents are still your legal guardians and generally have the right to make decisions about your living situation... View More
Court has been a 3 yr episode with my ex wanting private school fees along with my request to modify support due to being permanently laid off from my job. Does she have to send me something if she’s dropping me as a client?

answered on Mar 13, 2024
Normally, if a lawyer is dropping a client, usually for non payment of fees, a lawyer files a Motion to Withdraw, sends you a certified notice of the court date and you can show up to object or agree to her withdrawing. I suggest you get your papers together and go see another lawyer. If... View More
I have been separated from my son’s father for over a year. Never married. No court order for parenting time or child support. He always claimed our son on income tax returns. This year I claimed our son. My son’s father had his W4 setup to claim 1 and is telling me he’s going to charge me... View More

answered on Feb 28, 2024
In situations involving tax claims on dependents, the right to claim a child on a tax return typically depends on IRS rules concerning custodial and non-custodial parents. If you have provided the majority of the support for your son and he has lived with you for more than half of the year, you... View More
My brother-in-law bought a house from his grandma 4 years ago to avoid inheritance fees. Since then he has put $40k into the house and paid the property taxes. We have also bought the house/property to avoid losing it in his divorce (so it is in our name). He is not currently living there as there... View More

answered on Feb 26, 2024
Your grandma is still alive or there would be no inheritance fees. A lawyer should have been consulted. There is a 5 year look back period. If she goes into a nursing home within 5 years of selling or giving away property for less than fair market value she is penalized and yes, they can have a... View More
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.