Domestic Relations
Our Firm offers clients a range of services in the family law area, such as divorce and parentage cases. A large part of this growing practice involves tax planning in divorce and separation as well as structuring property settlements and maintenance or support agreements. In conjunction with our Private Clients Department, we also draft and negotiate premarital agreements delineating the rights of couples in the event of divorce or death.
Our Domestic Relations Practice takes advantage of our extensive experience in estate planning, tax planning, employee benefits and litigation. Many matters require an integration of these disciplines, such as the valuation and allocation of pension and profit-sharing benefits and the division of closely held stock or estate planning. We frequently represent corporations in analyzing or structuring a division of employee benefits in compliance with ERISA.
In the trial or settlement of divorce or other family law matters, we are frequently involved with the valuation and allocation of business, such as manufacturing companies, oil companies, franchises and engineering companies. We have worked with experts to value many types of business entities, including substantial oil companies, drilling reserves, construction and real estate companies, commercial and farm real estate, franchises and landscaping companies. We have also dealt with the valuation and allocation of professional practices. We are frequently involved with the role of trust interests in divorce litigation. In addition to property issues we address issues of alimony or maintenance and child support, including issues of proper income determination.
Lawyers from our domestic relations law area have drafted model legislation impacting the practice of family law and are on the forefront of the changing field of family law. We lecture across the United States on all aspects of family law, from effective negotiations to resolving disputes to the creative use of changes in the tax law to structure economical support or property arrangements. We have also taught family law and mediation courses in Chicago area law schools.
Contacts
- Sandra R. Murphy
+1 312 984 7723
Send E-mail - Saundra L. Rice
+1 312 984 7688
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