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Naperville, IL child custody lawyerIn Illinois, you can write your own child custody agreement, called a parenting plan. However, you have to follow state law if you want a judge to approve it. Writing your own plan means that you have more control over the process and your family’s future. It can also help you avoid long, stressful court battles. If you do not understand what the law requires, it is easy to make mistakes that can delay or block approval. Our Naperville, IL child custody lawyer can help you create an agreement that serves your child’s best interests and meets all the
Continue Reading Can You Really Write Your Own Child Custody Agreement?

Naperville, IL divorce lawyerIn Illinois, you can keep your married name after divorce, and your children’s last names will stay the same unless a court orders otherwise. Some parents choose to return to a maiden name, while others keep their married name so they share a last name with their children. If you have questions about this or any other aspect of ending your marriage, a Naperville, IL divorce lawyer can offer advice and service rooted in experience.
Why Do Some Parents Choose To Keep Their Married Name After Divorce?
The most common reason parents keep a married name after divorce is
Continue Reading Can My Kids and I Keep My Married Name After Divorce?

Naperville, IL divorce lawyerWhen divorce begins, one of the first concerns many couples face is where they will live. Sharing the marital home until the court finalizes the divorce is a common consideration. Many couples remain in the same household until there is a final judgment, either by choice or financial necessity. However, questions often arise about legal rights, financial obligations, and how living together might affect property division or parenting. 
Every case is different, and these issues can be confusing and stressful to navigate. Speaking with an experienced Naperville, IL divorce attorney can provide clarity and help you make informed decisions about
Continue Reading Can We Both Stay in the House Until the Divorce is Final?

DuPage County, IL divorce lawyerGoing through a divorce in Illinois raises serious concerns about how property will be divided. If you received an inheritance before or during your marriage, you might be wondering whether your spouse is entitled to it. There is not always a simple answer. The way you handle inherited money or assets during the marriage can change how the court views it, but a DuPage County, IL divorce lawyer can help you protect what is rightfully yours.
Is Inheritance Considered Separate Property in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, property received by inheritance is usually treated as non-marital property, even if it
Continue Reading Will I Lose My Inheritance During an Illinois Divorce?

Naperville, IL family law attorneyWhen one parent does not follow the terms of a court-approved parenting plan, it can create serious problems for both the child and the other parent. Whether your ex is refusing visitation, not returning your child on time, or making decisions without your input, this behavior can violate the parental responsibilities order, commonly known as a custody order, and affect your parental rights. A Naperville, IL parental responsibilities lawyer can help you understand your legal options for righting this wrong.
Legal Options for Custody Enforcement in Illinois
Illinois courts expect both parents to follow parenting plans as ordered. When one
Continue Reading What if My Ex Is Not Following Our Illinois Custody Order?

Naperville, IL family law attorneyParents who defy a court-ordered parenting time agreement and refuse to let the other parent see their child can face serious consequences under Illinois law. Withholding visitation, known as parenting time in Illinois, does not just strain family relationships. It can result in legal penalties that affect a parent’s rights. Understanding these penalties is important for any parent navigating custody disputes. A Naperville, IL child custody attorney can help you protect your parenting time and explain your rights.
Is It a Crime To Deny Parenting Time in Illinois?
Section 607.5 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act addresses
Continue Reading What Are the Penalties for Withholding Visitation in Illinois?

Naperville, IL divorce lawyerHandling financial matters during marriage can be complex. Couples often seek ways to protect their assets and plan for the future. A Naperville, IL postnuptial agreement lawyer can help you understand how a postnuptial agreement, also known as a postnup, works under Illinois law. Signing a postnup does not indicate that you think your marriage will fail. It is just a contract between two financially responsible adults.
What Conditions Can Be Included in a Postnuptial Agreement in Illinois?
Like a prenuptial agreement, a postnuptial agreement defines how property and maintenance are handled during divorce. The primary difference is that
Continue Reading How Do Postnuptial Agreements Work in Illinois?

Naperville, IL family law attorneyCustody and guardianship are two distinct paths to caring for a minor child. However, someone can have guardianship over an adult as well. These terms are sometimes confused, but they serve different purposes and follow different legal procedures in Illinois. If you are seeking clarity, a Naperville, IL guardianship attorney can guide you through which legal option best serves the child’s needs and your role in their life.
How Does Illinois Law Define “Parental Responsibilities”?
In Illinois, the term “custody” has been replaced with “parental responsibilities” under statute 750 ILCS 5/600. The law focuses on two areas: decision-making authority
Continue Reading What Is the Difference Between Custody and Guardianship in Illinois?

Naperville, IL divorce lawyerUnder Illinois law, international property acquired during marriage is not exempt from division during divorce proceedings. However, navigating the division of assets is more complex for couples with businesses, real property holdings, and retirement savings overseas. Issues can arise in practical enforcement, and cooperation with foreign legal systems is required. A Naperville, IL high net worth divorce attorney with experience in cases involving international asset division can help address these challenges to protect your right to a fair divorce decree.
How Does Illinois Law Handle Property Division?
Illinois statute 750 ILCS 5/503 from the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage
Continue Reading What Happens to International Assets During an Illinois Divorce?

Naperville, IL divorce lawyerIn Illinois, the duration of spousal maintenance, also known as alimony, depends on how long you were married. The court also typically uses a standardized calculation method to determine exactly how much the payments will be. However, spousal maintenance orders are not set in stone. Under certain conditions, they can be modified or terminated. If you have questions about the duration or amount of alimony in your case – whether you are thinking of divorce or already have a final decree – a knowledgeable Naperville, IL spousal maintenance lawyer can help.
How Does the Duration of Your Marriage Impact
Continue Reading How Long Will I Have To Pay Spousal Maintenance in Illinois?

DuPage County, IL divorce lawyerFor most people, approaching the asset division element of an Illinois divorce can be the most nerve-wracking part of the process. Often, couples disagree on how property should be categorized – marital or separate – and then further disputes arise when deciding how to divide assets and liabilities. If you are concerned that your spouse may endanger your shared property by hiding, abusing, or wasting it, you need to know more about freezing assets. An experienced DuPage County asset division attorney will walk you through the process and help you protect your right to a fair divorce settlement.
Does
Continue Reading What Does It Mean to Freeze Assets During an Illinois Divorce?

DuPage County, IL divorce lawyerDivorce rates among people over age 50 have more than doubled since the 1990s and many of these breakups involve adult children with families, careers, and long histories of shared financial responsibility. If your son or daughter is going through a divorce in Naperville or elsewhere in DuPage County, you may be wondering how to help without overstepping. While the process is different than it would be for a younger couple, it is no less emotionally complex.
As of May 2025, Illinois divorce law continues to apply the same statutes regardless of age, but the way families navigate divorces for
Continue Reading Supporting Your Adult Child in Their Divorce

DuPage County, IL divorce lawyerYou have probably heard that divorce mediation is cheaper, faster, and less stressful than courtroom divorce. That is sometimes true. But what you may not have heard is that mediation is still a process that is emotionally raw, legally complex, and full of hard compromises.
In Illinois, mediation is not just an alternative to courtroom litigation. It is often a required step, especially when child custody is involved. If you are getting divorced in Illinois, you should expect to go through it. The question is not whether you will attend mediation, but how to make it work. At Calabrese
Continue Reading What Does Divorce Mediation Look Like?

Naperville, IL divorce lawyerA court-ordered divorce decree can include judgments about property division, spousal support, allocation of parental responsibilities, and child support. When an ex-spouse does not follow the obligations laid out in the divorce decree, you may need legal assistance in the form of an enforcement of the judgment. If you are struggling with an uncooperative ex, you do not have to face the challenge alone – a Naperville, IL enforcement of judgments attorney can help.
Steps You Can Take if Your Ex-Spouse Does Not Follow the Divorce Decree
When your ex-spouse does not fulfill their post-divorce obligations, you have
Continue Reading What Can I Do if My Ex Does Not Follow Our Illinois Divorce Decree?

DuPage County, IL divorce lawyerThe divorce process is different for every couple because it is extremely personal. Many elements impact what your divorce looks like, including whether you have children and how many assets you have separately and together. To understand the division of assets, you first need to know how Illinois law differentiates between separate, also known as non-marital, and marital property. A DuPage County, IL asset division attorney can help you navigate the process, which is especially useful if you have a complex portfolio.
How Does Illinois Law Define Marital Property?
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act addresses the
Continue Reading Understanding Marital vs. Non-Marital Property in an Illinois Divorce

IL family lawyerParenting plans are designed to provide clarity and structure for the children of parents who are no longer together. These plans outline everything from weekly parenting time schedules to holidays, decision-making responsibilities, and communication guidelines. But what happens when both parents genuinely believe they are following the plan — yet interpret it in different ways?
Disagreements over the wording or intent of a parenting plan are more common than many people expect. These issues can arise months or even years after a divorce or custody order is finalized, especially as children grow older and their needs evolve. Understanding your
Continue Reading What Happens if You Disagree with Your Parenting Plan?