Divorce can be daunting for anyone. Most spouses considering divorce are only vaguely aware of what the divorce process involves. They may also be juggling feelings of regret, anger, and sadness which can make the divorce process even more intimidating. Fortunately, you do not have to handle divorce on your own. An experienced divorce lawyer can guide you through the process, offering the legal advocacy you need during this difficult time.

However, no two divorce lawyers are the same. It is important that the divorce lawyer you choose has the skills and experience needed to handle your particular situation effectively. As you vet potential divorce lawyers, consider the following questions:

 Sexual harassment is a form of illegal discrimination. While unlawful, sexual harassment continues to occur in DuPage County and throughout Illinois. Workplace sexual harassment falls into two broad categories: Quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environment.

Many people are unsure of what types of behaviors constitute sexual harassment. Some victims of sexual harassment convince themselves that they are overreacting or misunderstanding the situation. To be clear, anyone who feels threatened, offended, insulted, or demeaned at work should speak up. Even if the behavior has not yet crossed the line into sexual harassment, it is likely to escalate in the future, so it is best to report the behavior right away. That being said, people who have been victims of sexual harassment at work often experience the same types of feelings.  

Red Flags You Are a Victim of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment can take countless forms. You may be a victim of sexual harassment if:

Many people assume that money is the answer to all of their problems. However, in reality, money can often make life more complicated. This is certainly the case when it comes to divorce. High net worth divorce cases usually involve a greater number of complex issues legally, financially, and personally. If you and your spouse have amassed considerable wealth and you plan to divorce, keep the following considerations in mind.

Valuing and Classifying Property May Be the Hardest Part of the Property Division Process

Deciding who gets what is often one of the most contentious parts of the divorce process. In a high net worth divorce, many couples also run into challenges valuing assets and identifying assets as marital or non-marital. Real estate, investments, business interests, and other complex assets should be professionally valued before spouses begin negotiating a property division settlement. Assets will also need to be classified as marital property belonging to both spouses or non-marital property belonging to only one spouse.

The Consequences of Hiding Assets is Even Greater

The consequences of undisclosed income or assets in a high net worth case are often particularly significant. If you suspect that your spouse is not being truthful about finances, you may want to work with a forensic accountant in addition to your lawyer.  

Employees have the right to be free from sexual advances and offensive behavior at work. Although multiple federal and state laws prohibit sexual harassment, workplace harassment and discrimination continue to be problems in Illinois and throughout the U.S.

Unfortunately, many victims of workplace sexual harassment never report the harassment. They fear that nothing will be done to stop the harassing behavior, or worse, that they will face retaliation for reporting the harassment. If you are in this situation, you should know that retaliation is unlawful. Your employer may not “punish” you for filing a sexual harassment or discrimination complaint. If they do, you may be entitled to legal remedies including monetary damages.

What Does Employer Retaliation Look Like?

When an employee is sexually harassed at work, he or she should report the sexual harassment according to the company’s sexual harassment policy. Often, this means reporting the harassment to the human resources department. The employer is required by law to address the harassment properly and prevent further harassment. Unfortunately, some employers take the opposite approach and retaliate against the person who reported the harassment.

Divorce can have major financial repercussions for both spouses. When divorce places a significant financial burden on a spouse, that spouse may be entitled to alimony or spousal maintenance as it is called in Illinois. However, spousal maintenance is only awarded in certain circumstances. Whether you are the family’s breadwinner or the lesser-earning spouse, it is important to know how spousal support may impact your divorce.

Entitlement to Spousal Maintenance

There are three main avenues through which spouses may receive spousal maintenance in Illinois. The first is a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement. If you and your spouse signed a marital agreement entitling one spouse to maintenance, the court will likely uphold the agreement.

Spouses may also agree on a spousal maintenance arrangement. Collaborative law or divorce mediation may help the spouses negotiate the exact terms of the spousal maintenance agreement. Alternatively, the spouses may negotiate maintenance through their attorneys.