Getting a divorce can be challenging for anyone, but business owners will face some unique concerns. In addition to considering their own financial needs, they may need to take steps to protect the future of their companies. Understanding how to safeguard a business during a divorce is crucial. An attorney who is experienced in both family law and business matters can provide essential guidance and support throughout the divorce process.

Understanding the Implications of Divorce on Your Business

As a business owner, your company is not just a source of income. When you have built a successful business, it can be a part of your identity, and it can serve as a testament to your hard work and dedication. However, during your divorce, your business will be viewed as one of the assets you and your spouse own, and ownership of your business may need to be addressed during the property division process.

Marital vs. Non-Marital Property

When addressing issues related to your business, you will first need to determine how it will be classified. It may be included in one of two categories:

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious issue that affects many people across many industries. People who experience sexual harassment are likely to suffer a number of negative effects, including a loss of income and emotional trauma that may affect their life and their ability to work and earn income in the future. 

To help address this problem, federal and state laws provide important protections for victims of sexual harassment. An experienced attorney can provide invaluable legal help for those facing such challenges, helping victims understand their rights and their options for addressing sexual harassment they have experienced. 

Sexual harassment is an ongoing issue in workplaces throughout the United States. It affects countless people, and victims may experience a variety of hardships, including the loss of their jobs, the loss of income, and damage to their mental health and welfare. Despite the efforts that have been made to combat this misconduct, many cases go unreported, and the enforcement of sexual harassment policies often falls short. An experienced attorney can provide essential guidance and support to those who have experienced sexual harassment, ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard.

The Underreporting of Sexual Harassment

Approximately 75% of sexual harassment cases are not reported. Even when policies are in place to address sexual harassment, victims may fear retaliation, or they may worry that they will not be believed. This highlights the importance of educating employees about sexual harassment and ensuring that the correct policies and procedures are in place to respond to complaints effectively.

Originally published: November 5, 2020 -- Updated: March 19, 2024

Update: As discussed below, some parents may choose to remain married while they raise their children rather than getting a divorce. In these situations, it may be beneficial to pursue a legal separation, which will allow a couple to remain legally married while detailing the rights and obligations that will apply to each party. With a legal separation, a couple may choose to live in different homes, or they may continue living together while focusing on parenting responsibilities and keeping their lives separate as much as possible.

A legal separation can provide a number of benefits, such as the ability to maintain family health insurance coverage. The creation of a separation agreement will ensure that both spouses fully understand how certain matters will be handled, including how they will make child-related decisions and, if they are living separately, when children will spend parenting time with each parent. If a couple has taken steps to separate their finances, one spouse may pay child support or spousal support to the other.

When parents go through a divorce or need to address child custody issues in other family law cases, the well-being of their children is the most important factor to consider. Child custody evaluations can play a pivotal role in these legal proceedings, and an evaluator’s assessments may influence the court's decisions regarding parenting time and responsibilities. If you need to work with a custody evaluator during your divorce or family law case, an experienced attorney can provide the guidance and representation you need.

What Are Child Custody Evaluations?

Child custody evaluations are assessments conducted by mental health professionals to provide the court with a comprehensive understanding of the family dynamics. Their reports and opinions can help determine what would be in the best interests of the child. These evaluations are particularly common in contentious divorce or child custody cases where parents cannot agree on the best arrangements for their children.

When Are Custody Evaluators Appointed?

In Illinois, a judge may order a child custody evaluation in several circumstances, including: