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<p>In the case <strong>In re Marriage of Bulatovic v. Stojanovic</strong>, Marko Stojanovic (respondent-appellant) appealed decisions of the Circuit Court of Cook County concerning his obligations for...
Full Case Summary
In the case In re Marriage of Bulatovic v. Stojanovic, Marko Stojanovic (respondent-appellant) appealed decisions of the Circuit Court of Cook County concerning his obligations for maintenance and child support following his divorce from Marija Bulatovic (petitioner-appellee). The appeal particularly focused on a September 2021 order addressing four of Marko's petitions to modify or abate these obligations and a separate request to reallocate fees for a guardian ad litem (GAL).
The appellate court clarified that it lacked jurisdiction to review the order denying Marko's request regarding GAL fees, as it was a non-final order. However, the court affirmed the lower court's decisions on Marko’s petitions, noting that Marko had previously agreed in open court to pay maintenance in the form of rent, crucial to the findings.
The history of the divorce proceedings showed numerous disputes, with the court finding Marko had not acted consistently with his financial obligations. Despite claims of changed circumstances—like job loss—the court concluded he did not meet the threshold for modifying child support.
Marko alleged trial-court bias, but the appellate court found no substantial evidence supporting that claim. Ultimately, his appeal was largely unsuccessful, and the court affirmed the previous rulings on child support and maintenance as legally sound.