Entering into marriage is typically considered a lifelong commitment. However, not all couples stay together “‘til death do us part.” Statistics show that between 40 and 50 percent of all U.S. marriages end in divorce. That is why some partners decide to do a civil union instead of getting married. In either situation, there are two legally binding options to protect their interests. A prenuptial agreement is a legal document that specifies ahead of time how certain marital issues will be resolved in case the couple decides to part ways. A postnuptial agreement can address the same issues, but it is created after the wedding takes place. For those who may have not preplanned, a postnup can give them peace of mind in case of a breakup.  

Reasons for Creating a Postnup

There may be various reasons why a couple wishes to make a postnuptial agreement. They may want to document their wishes so they are known in case something happens to either of them. Three major factors that could lead to the creation of a postnup may be because a couple:

• Did not have time before the wedding to create a prenuptial agreement
• Are estranged but willing to work on the marriage
• Want to change/amend an existing prenuptial agreement

Items You Can Include in a Postnup

Postnuptial agreements are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act in Illinois. Pre- and postnuptial agreements aim to preserve existing marriages by eliminating potential disputes, but they also protect each spouse’s best interest in the event of a divorce or separation. A few of the main topics that are covered in a postnuptial agreement include but are not limited to:

Studies have shown that a child thrives when he or she has a healthy relationship with both parents, regardless of the relationship between the adults. A mother and a father play different roles in the psychological development of a child. However, in some cases, the father’s identity may be in question for various reasons. For example, the mother might not have been married at the time she gave birth, and she may have had multiple romantic partners. 

Paternity refers to the legal relationship between a father and his biological child, which involves the rights and obligations of both the father and the child to each other. Even if both parents do not remain romantically involved, they can still work together for the best interest of their child by providing financial and emotional support. Establishing paternity is also important for protecting each parent’s rights.  

The Process of Establishing Paternity 

If a child's mother is or was married when the child was born or within 300 days prior to the child’s birth, the person the mother was married to (or in a civil union) at that time is presumed to be the child’s second parent. If the mother was married to a man, the man is presumed to be the child’s father. 

Although they are becoming more popular, only 5-10 percent of U.S. couples who marry draft prenuptial agreements. Once considered to be only for the wealthy, a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can save a couple not only time and money but also mental anguish from disputes over property or asset division if they choose to divorce later. These legal documents let couples decide how they would like their marital property to be divided, as well as other considerations. However, there may be situations where a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement may be deemed invalid and therefore unenforceable. If you are considering working with your partner to plan ahead, it is best to learn what to include in these types of agreements and what would make them null and void. 

Premarital Considerations

A prenuptial agreement, or “prenup” is a legal document that an engaged couple can create to determine how they will address property, assets, debts, and other financial issues throughout their marriage and if they decide to divorce at any time. With this approach, property can be divided in the way the spouses wish. For example, they could choose a 60/40 or 70/30 percentage split.
As many other states did, Illinois adopted the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (UPAA), which contains rules that dictate how courts decide whether a prenuptial agreement is enforceable. All prenuptial agreements must be put in writing and signed by both spouses for it to be enforceable. They do not need a witness to sign, and it does not have to be recorded with the court’s clerk. However, it is important to know that a court is more inclined to enforce the prenup if it can be proven that each spouse had prior knowledge of each other’s finances before signing it.

Postnuptial Factors

In some cases, a couple may not have considered a prenuptial agreement or did not have time to draft one if they had a short courtship before tying the knot. In these cases, a postnuptial agreement (postnup) may be an option. A postnup is a legal contract between spouses that defines what happens if the marriage ultimately ends. It can also be beneficial for those who are married and plan to stay together even after experiencing problems in their relationship, such as infidelity. 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) received its five millionth call in May of this year. This statistic shows how prevalent domestic violence can be in relationships. In many cases, the victimized person may fear for his or her safety on a daily basis. However, he or she may also be afraid to leave an abusive spouse or partner. Domestic violence can take many different forms. These can include physical harm, verbal threats or harassment, and more. Sometimes making that first call for help is the most difficult step in the process to escape an abusive situation. It is important to understand what behavior constitutes abuse so you can recognize it and seek legal orders of protection. 

Illinois Domestic Violence Law

Domestic violence is considered a crime in Illinois. Any individual who hits, kicks, chokes, harasses, threatens, or interferes with the personal liberty of another family or household member violates the Illinois Domestic Violence law. Illinois law defines family or household members as:

• Family members who are related by blood;
• A married or divorced couple;
• People who share or previously resided in the same home;
• People who have a child in common;
• People who are current or former dating or engaged partners; and
• People with disabilities and their caretakers.
• Forms of Domestic Abuse

Although physical abuse is the most recognizable form of domestic violence, it is just one of many forms of it. Domestic violence encompasses:

Adoption is a wonderful way to expand a family and give a child a loving home. The road to achieving this dream can be a long process, but well worth it. In certain situations, a couple may wish to adopt a relative if the child’s biological parents die or are unable to care for the child. In other cases, a person may want to adopt a stepchild after getting remarried. The procedures for related adoptions are different than traditional domestic or international adoptions, so it is important to learn the requirements before embarking on this journey.   

How Are Related Adoptions Different From Other Adoptions?

Unlike domestic or international adoptions, related (also called “kinship”) and stepparent adoptions are typically handled in a more streamlined process in the courts. In the majority of cases, background checks, family investigations, and home visits by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) are not required. To initiate a relative or stepparent adoption, all of the following must be true:

• The stepparent relationship must be legally established (the stepparent’s marriage to the child’s birth parent is valid);
• The child consents to the adoption, if he or she is at least 14 years old; and
• The child’s other parent consents to the adoption and termination of his or her parental rights, or such rights are terminated by a judge.

In a relative or stepparent adoption, the other biological parent’s rights must be terminated before the stepparent can legally adopt his/her spouse’s child. If the other parent contests the adoption, grounds for terminating the other’s parental rights must be proven. Possible grounds can include the following: