A marriage involves many decisions about property, monetary interests, and financial concerns. A dissolution of a marriage usually requires as many or more such decisions. These decisions concern the long-term welfare of not only the two spouses but also can affect dependent children, adult children with disabilities, or aging parents. The skill with which an attorney manages such complex issues has lasting effects for all involved. This handbook is a practical guide to finding a fair and reasonable resolution in a dissolution action. Practice guidance and in-depth discussion is provided for the types, collection, modification, and termination of maintenance; common, state, and federal law concerning premarital agreements; Illinois law governing postnuptial agreements; the scope and application of the principles of equitable distribution; bankruptcy in the dissolution context; QDROs and other retirement plans upon dissolution; marital settlement agreements; the tax aspects of dissolution and separation; and the division of assets related to employee benefits.
Chapter 1 — Maintenance
Joshua T. Friedman and Doris S. McMorrow, Davis Friedman, LLP, Chicago
Chapter 2 — Premarital Agreements
Patricia A. Hoke, Barrett, Twomey, Broom, Hughes & Hoke, LLP, Carbondale
Chapter 3 — Postnuptial Agreements
P. André Katz, Katz & Stefani, LLC, Chicago
Chapter 4 — Property Considerations upon Dissolution and Declaration of Invalidity
Erin B. Bodendorfer, Katz & Stefani, LLC, Chicago
Chapter 5 — Bankruptcy
David P. Leibowitz, Law Offices of David P. Leibowitz, Chicago, and Justin R. Storer, Bauch & Michaels LLC, Chicago
Chapter 6 — QDROs and Other Considerations for Retirement Plan Assets upon Dissolution
Gregory K. Brown and Christopher K. Buch, Holland & Knight, LLP, Chicago
Chapter 7 — Marital Settlement Agreements
Joshua M. Jackson and Patrick T. Ryan, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, Lake Forest, Chicago
Chapter 8 — Tax Aspects of Dissolution and Separation
Claire R. McKenzie, Eric R. Pfanenstiel, and Katherine Welz Herr, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, Wheaton, Chicago
Chapter 9 — Unique Employee Benefits: Stock Options, ESOPs, Etc.
Daniel R. Stefani, Katz & Stefani, LLC, Chicago, and Meighan A. Harmon, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP, Chicago
