Deviation from Guidelines: Is It Possible to Deviate from Support Guidelines?

Delve into the most significant family law cases decided in 2020. Topics include child support; maintenance; allocation of the marital estate; attorney’s fees and costs; civil procedure issues, including venue and judgments; Orders of Protection; and more.

The Illinois Child Support Guidelines provide that the court may “deviate” from the presumptive award “if the application would be inequitable, unjust, or inappropriate.” Review how the guidelines were developed, what are they based on and what “other factors” have courts considered that should not be overlooked. Focus will be on how to argue for deviations including in a high-income case, how to argue for private school and extracurricular activities, and medical and childcare expenses.

Covers the preparation of a Financial Affidavit used in Domestic Relations matters, including parentage cases and prejudgment and post judgment dissolution of marriage matters. Includes a discussion of the requirements for completion of the affidavit and pitfalls in its preparation.