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MAY 2024
The Heart of the Matter Celebrating the Mothers in My Life
I feel fortunate to have not just one but three wonderful mothers in my life. There is my wife, who is the mother of our 2- and 4-year-old boys; my mom, who raised me with ample love and kindness; and my mother- in-law, who is a supportive and amazing caretaker to her grandkids. With Mother’s Day coming up on May 12, I wanted to dedicate this newsletter to them: They are the bedrock of my life and helped mold me into the man I am today. Here are the qualities they exhibit that I want to pass down to my children as a father. CREATIVITY After I became a dad myself, my mom told me being a parent was the most challenging and rewarding job she ever had. To her credit, she always made it look easy. Growing up, it was clear that she had an appreciation for kids’ minds and imagination. Whenever I would play pretend or go on some fantastical journey in the theater of my mind, she would always do what she could to fuel and foster my creativity. While I didn’t grow up to be an artist, her example gave me the confidence to stand by my ideas and chase my dreams. EMPATHY One quality I can’t give my mom enough credit for is her innate sense of empathy; whatever is going on in my life, I know she will reserve judgment and listen unreservedly. She gives excellent advice on parenting and life generally and is always open to new ideas and working with you to overcome challenges. Following her example, I always call her on her birthday, not just because I love our conversations but because now that I have my own kids, I understand how much a child’s birthday means to their parents. COMPASSION My wife is an amazing mother to our two children. She effortlessly provides the compassion required to help them overcome life’s obstacles. Recently, I watched as she supported and guided our 4-year- old during his swimming lesson. We had worked on overcoming his fear of jumping into the water the prior summer, but the pressure of having so many other kids and adults around was intimidating for him, and he was hesitant to get into the pool. But my wife stood alongside him, giving him the encouragement he needed. She told him she had faith
in him, and that she knew he could do it. She patiently encouraged him. She could have gotten frustrated, short, or snippy as many parents do in these moments. Instead, she was unwavering and calm in her support. Slowly but surely, by the end of the lesson, he was submerged in the water, and having a blast! I earned even greater respect and admiration for the moms in my life once I had kids of my own. My wife and I want to be available for our kids, for their sake and ours. We love spending time with them, and my business is a vehicle to give me the flexibility to do just that. I usually work from home and enjoy getting to walk my son to his preschool just
two blocks away. For all the mothers reading this — and to the mothers in my life especially — I wish you all a happy Mother’s Day!
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Defending the Highlands
Scotland’s Must-See Castles
From the heights of Castle Hill to the idyllic waters of Loch Duich, the historic castles of Scotland stun tourists and history enthusiasts alike. Today, these castles are well-maintained and ready to receive visitors from around the world. If you want to explore the beauty of the highlands from the rocky ramparts of Scotland’s greatest castles, these are three landmarks you need to visit. EDINBURGH CASTLE Located amidst Edinburgh’s Old Town — a World Heritage Site — the daunting and long-standing Edinburgh Castle on Castle Hill is a bulwark that has defended the Scottish capital for nearly a millennium. The military still uses parts of the formidable ramparts, but the rest serves as a can’t-miss tourist destination. The castle also houses the Crown Jewels of Scotland, known as the Honours, and famed cannons, like Mons Meg, one of the grandest pieces of medieval artillery ever constructed and given to King James II in 1457 A.D. DUNNOTTAR CASTLE Dunnottar Castle is located on the northeastern coast of Scotland and is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the North Sea. There is evidence that
ancient Picts lived in the area long before a monastery was consecrated on the grounds in 1276 A.D. In 1392, Sir William Keith seized the holy site’s strategic location by building its first stone fortification, The Keep. An even more unorthodox move came in 1593, when George Keith, the 5th Earl Marischal, built The Lion’s Den at Dunnottar Castle to house his pet lion. EILEAN DONAN CASTLE There is a reason Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most photographed castles in the world! Situated on a tiny island at the mouth of Loch Duich, this formidable fortress began as a monastery in 634 A.D. before being converted to a fortress in the 12th century to protect the area from Viking raids. Now administered by the Conchra Charitable Trust, this castle houses rare artifacts, such as a sword rumored to be from the famed battle of Culloden in 1745.
As of 2016, with the enactment of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, courts in our state no longer award “custody” or “visitation.” Instead, courts allocate “parental responsibilities,” formerly known as custody, and “parenting time,” formerly known as visitation. While the change seems small, it has large ramifications for parents going through a divorce. Parents must submit a parenting plan proposal, either jointly or separately, to the court. If the parents cannot agree on a proposed plan, or if the court determines the plan is not in the child’s best interests, the judge will instead allocate parental responsibilities and parenting time. If this happens, here is what you need to know about how the court makes those decisions. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES Some noteworthy elements the judge will need to assess when it comes to the allocation of parental responsibilities, per 750 ILCS 5/600, include: When Parenting Plans Break Down
Understanding Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time
managing their sleep schedule, and caring for them when they are sick or injured Who educates them, helps them learn motor and language skills, and develops their self-confidence
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Who provides moral and ethical guidance for a child
PARENTING TIME When it comes to assigning parenting time, 750 ILCS 5/602.7 outlines many factors the court takes into consideration, but here are some of the most significant you should be aware of:
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Whether one of the parents is a convicted sex offender or lives with one
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The wishes of the child, taking into account the child’s maturity and ability to express preferences as to parenting time The wishes of each parent seeking parenting time Any prior agreement or course of conduct between the parents relating to caretaking functions with respect to the child The mental and physical health of all individuals involved Whether the child, or other members of the child’s household, have been abused
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The willingness and ability of each parent to place the needs of the child ahead of their own And most importantly, the child’s needs
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While both parents should come to a written agreement when it comes to a Parenting Plan in Illinois, that is not always possible. If that is the case, you are going to want to be familiar with the relevant statutes and have our excellent legal counsel on your side.
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Who carries out caretaking functions, including satisfying nutritional needs,
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Equitable, Not Equal Splitting Assets in the Windy City
Illinois is not a community property state, where couples are required to split all assets they own equally between them — instead, the division of assets is equitable rather than equal. This means that the court takes into consideration each party’s current situation and future needs. Our state divides property into two categories: marital and non-marital. The distinction is critical for those going through divorce to understand because marital property is equitably divided, whereas non-marital property is not . Here are the factors determining which category property falls into as defined by state divorce law.
in Illinois, both parties cannot dispose of this property in any way without the court’s permission. This allows the court to decide how this property should be divided without undue interference from either spouse. Some examples of marital property are: • Bank and investment accounts • Home furniture and decorations • Business interests • Pensions • Property purchased during the marriage • Retirement plans • Cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, and other vehicles WHAT IS NON-MARITAL PROPERTY? Non-marital property refers to assets owned by one spouse individually. Non-marital property is often acquired before marriage or through gifts or inheritance specifically to one spouse. Additionally, prenuptial agreements can classify property that would otherwise be considered marital as non-marital, and it can include assets acquired by a spouse from a legal judgment or acquired in exchange for other property. The judge considers these situations during asset division, and the parties can contest them in divorce proceedings. We know this process can be daunting and are here to assist however we can. No one should have to experience a divorce without strong legal counsel on their side. If you would like help navigating the intricacies of your divorce proceedings or support on other family law matters, you can call us at 312-488-1938 to schedule a free consultation with our expert legal team.
WHAT IS MARITAL PROPERTY? Marital property refers to all property, including debts and other obligations, acquired by either spouse during their marriage and before the declaration of invalidity officially dissolves the marriage. To ensure this property is divided equitably, once either spouse files for divorce TAKE A BREAK
Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce
Ingredients: • 1 1/2 lb flank steak • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 2 tbsp lime juice • 1–3 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 1 tbsp fish sauce
For sauce: • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 1–2 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 1 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp fish sauce • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter • 1 tbsp lime juice
Directions: 1. Freeze flank steak for 30 minutes. Cut crosswise, against the grain, into thin slices. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, lime juice, curry paste, and fish sauce. Add steak and toss to coat. Cover and chill for 8 hours. 3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut milk, curry paste, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Bring to a gentle boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peanut butter and stir until well blended. Remove from heat and add lime juice. 4. Thread the marinated meat onto 12 long skewers. Grill until beef is medium rare, 1–2 minutes per side. 5. Transfer satay to a platter and serve with peanut sauce.
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161 N. Clark, Ste. 1700 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 488-1938 rbbfirm.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
1.
A Lawyer’s Testimony About 3 Incredible Moms
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Explore the Historic Fortifications of the Highlands How Illinois Courts Allocate Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time
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Understanding Marital vs. Non-Marital Property Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce Rejuvenate Your Routine With 4 Spring Wellness Changes
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Spring Into Wellness Refreshing Ways to Revitalize Your Health Routine
Spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation, so there’s no better time
fun activities, so take advantage of the warm weather before the next winter arrives. SPICE UP YOUR ROUTINE If you’re into yoga or weight training, try new exercises. A new routine ensures you won’t miss any muscles while keeping you engaged. When the treadmill becomes a dreadmill , do your cardio on an elliptical or stationary bike. Grab some free weights if you’re starting to find weight machines dull. There’s always an alternative to keep things interesting. FIND FRIENDS A workout buddy can keep you invested in your routine. They’ll keep you motivated and accountable — it’s much harder to skip a workout if someone’s relying on you. Even better, a partner can keep you safe if you’re weight training. Consider enrolling in a class
if you have trouble finding someone to work out with. Not only can you learn new fitness tips and tricks, but you can also make friends. SPRINGIFY YOUR DIET Winter typically involves plenty of warm comfort meals, such as soups and hot chocolate, but spring is blooming with other options. It offers an array of refreshing and delightfully light dishes. Strawberries, pineapples, and avocados are best these months, along with many other delicious foods perfect for salads and smoothies. Shake up spring and keep to your regimen. There’s no better time to build healthy habits, especially in May’s warm weather. Take a jog with a friend, and afterward, enjoy a strawberry smoothie, and you’ll surely have an exceptional season.
to revitalize your health and wellness routine. New routines can boost your motivation and keep you engaged. From workouts to diet, it’s time to get out and take advantage of the sunshine! GET OUTSIDE Winter is fierce, unrelenting, and notorious for derailing outdoor fitness routines. It’s finally warm enough to exercise outside, so mix things up and get outside. Jump on a bike and ride through the wind. Slip on your jogging shoes and run through the neighborhood. Put on your swimsuit and head to the pool. Nature is full of challenging and
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