In re Marriage of Isom
Court: Illinois Appellate Court | Published: 6/17/2025
Marriage
Quick Summary:
<h3>Case Summary</h3>
<strong>Case Title:</strong> In re Marriage of Angela Isom and Gbolahan Kareem<br>
<strong>Filed:</strong> June 16, 2025<br>
<strong>Court:</strong> Appellate Court of Illinois,...
Full Case Summary
Case Summary
Case Title: In re Marriage of Angela Isom and Gbolahan KareemFiled: June 16, 2025
Court: Appellate Court of Illinois, Third District
Appeal Number: 3-24-0491
Circuit Number: 22-DC-552
Judge: Honorable Joan Meyers
Background
Angela Isom and Gbolahan Kareem married in April 2019 and have one child born in 2020. Gbolahan, who held an immigrant visa, applied for permanent residency, which was denied in February 2022, prompting Angela to file for dissolution of marriage. Following the dissolution in July 2022, the court initially set child support at $518 per month in January 2023. Allegations surfaced that Gbolahan was willfully underemployed after leaving a higher-paying job.Child Support Orders
During subsequent proceedings, Gbolahan's income was imputed at $87,360 annually after he did not appear at an April 2023 hearing, raising support payments to $909 monthly. Gbolahan's motions to reduce these payments were dismissed, and by September 2023, payments further increased to $1,109 to account for arrears.Mediated Settlement Agreement (MSA)
In December 2023, both parties entered into a voluntary MSA, addressing maintenance, parental responsibilities, support, insurance, and educational support. All provisions were ratified and incorporated into the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage.Trial Court's Ruling and Appeals
The appellate review focused on whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying Gbolahan's request to reduce child support. Gbolahan argued that a change in his circumstances justified the reduction; however, the court deemed the change voluntary. His appeal was complicated by the lack of a complete trial record, including necessary evidence and documentation to support his claims.Legal Standard for Appellate Review
The court presumes that trial judges apply the correct law unless shown otherwise. Gbolahan's appeal was hindered by incorrect citations and insufficient legal authority, resulting in the court affirming the lower court's ruling without finding any abuse of discretion.Conclusion
The judgment of the circuit court of Will County is affirmed, reflecting the court’s determination that Gbolahan provided an inadequate appellate record and failed to substantiate his claims regarding child support modification.Ask AI About This Case
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