Accidents involving a driver whose lights were not on when they should have been raise serious questions about fault. In Illinois, it is illegal to drive at night without headlights. Someone who hits another driver whose headlights were not on may not be entirely liable for the accident. However, how fault is assigned depends on the circumstances of each case.
If you were involved in this kind of crash in 2026, a Kendall County personal injury lawyer can help you understand what factors will be considered in your case.
Is Someone Driving Without Headlights Automatically at Fault for an Accident
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SpyratosDavis LLC Blogs
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How Much Child Support Do I Owe if My Income Varies Month-to-Month?
Variable income does not exempt you from child support. It does, however, change how the calculation works. Rather than deciding on a fixed amount based on your monthly pay, Illinois courts look at the larger picture of your earnings over time.
If your income fluctuates because you’re self-employed, work on commission, or earn seasonal income, it’s important to understand how the court will determine your support orders in 2026. A Kendall County, IL child support lawyer can walk you through the process.
How Does Illinois Calculate Child Support When Your Income Isn’t Consistent?
Illinois uses an income shares model to
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Can a Trust Protect Assets for Minor Children?
A trust can protect assets for minor children, and it is one of the most effective tools available for doing so. Without a trust in place, a child who inherits money or property outright has no legal ability to manage those assets until they turn 18. At that point, they receive everything at once with no restrictions. A trust changes that entirely. If you want to make sure your children are truly protected, the Will County, IL estate planning lawyers at SpyratosDavis LLC can help you put the right plan in place.
Why Can’t Minor Children Simply Inherit Assets Directly?
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What Happens to a Joint Bank Account During Divorce?
When you file for divorce, joint bank accounts do not automatically get split in half or frozen. What happens to them depends on when the account was opened, how the money was earned, and what you and your spouse agree to, or what a court orders if you cannot agree. In Illinois, the law has specific rules about how shared money is handled, and knowing those rules early can help protect you. If you are going through a divorce in 2026 and have questions about property division, the Kane County divorce lawyers at SpyratosDavis LLC can help you
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How Change Orders Become Major Construction Litigation Issues
Change orders are a normal part of almost every construction project. Scope changes, unexpected site conditions, and design revisions happen all the time. The problem is not that changes occur. The problem is what happens when those changes are not handled properly.
A change order that seems minor in the moment can turn into a major legal dispute over unpaid work, broken timelines, and significant financial losses for your business. If you are a construction company owner dealing with a change order dispute in 2026, our McHenry County commercial litigation lawyers can help you understand your options and protect what
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Can a Child Refuse Court-Ordered Visitation in Illinois?
If your child is refusing to go to court-ordered visitation, you are probably caught between wanting to support your child and knowing you are legally required to follow a court order. It is a hard position to be in, and it is more common than many parents realize. The important thing to know is that a child cannot legally refuse court-ordered visitation in Illinois. A court order is binding on the parents, and it is the parents’ job to take real steps to make the visit happen.
Letting the child stay home is not typically something that Illinois family courts
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Can I Still Recover Compensation for a Bicycle Accident if I Didn’t Wear a Helmet?
Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation after a bicycle accident in Illinois. The driver who hit you is still responsible for causing the crash. Illinois law gives you the right to seek compensation for your injuries regardless of whether you were wearing a helmet. If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in 2026, our DeKalb, IL personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and fight for what you deserve.
What Does Illinois Law Say About Fault in Bicycle Accident Cases?
Illinois does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets under state
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How Far Can a Parent Move Without Court Approval in Illinois?
In Illinois, how far a parent can move without court approval depends on where the child currently lives. Some counties set the distance further than others. Moving beyond those limits requires either getting the other parent’s written agreement or asking a court for permission first.
Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, these rules apply to any parent who has been given the majority of parenting time or an equal share of parenting time. Knowing exactly where the line is can be the difference between a smooth move and a serious legal problem. If you have questions
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How Do Trusts Help Avoid Probate in Illinois?
In Illinois, probate is required when an estate is worth more than $100,000 or includes real estate titled solely in the deceased person’s name under the Illinois Probate Act of 1975. A properly structured trust can help your family skip that process entirely. If you want to protect your loved ones from the time, cost, and stress of probate, the Kendall County, IL estate planning lawyers at SpyratosDavis LLC can help you put a plan in place in 2026.
What Is Probate, and Why Do People Want to Avoid It?
Probate is a legal process that takes place in
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When Can Child Support Be Modified in Illinois?
Life changes, and sometimes a child support order that made sense when it was entered no longer reflects your current situation. Under 750 ILCS 5/510, an existing child support order can be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. The same is true if the current order is inconsistent with what the legal guidelines would require by a specific amount. If you think your order needs to change, our Will County, IL child support lawyers can review your situation and help you understand your options.
What Qualifies as a Substantial Change in Circumstances for Child Support?
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Can You Sue a Neighbor for Encroachment in Illinois?
Neighbors frequently get frustrated with each other over issues like roaming pets and untrimmed trees that leave a mess in each other’s yards. But sometimes, neighbors move beyond annoying behaviors and into direct and illegal use of someone else’s property. When this happens on your property, it can be frustrating and difficult to get your neighbor to change their ways. This behavior – called “encroachment” – can limit how you use your land and may create problems if you try to sell your home.
In 2026, Illinois law allows property owners to take legal action to stop encroachment and other
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Can Alimony Be Changed After Divorce in Illinois?
Alimony, known as spousal maintenance, can sometimes be changed after a divorce in Illinois. Courts recognize that life does not stay the same, and support orders may need to be updated when finances or personal circumstances shift.
If you are experiencing financial changes in 2026 and need to change your alimony order, our Kane County, IL alimony lawyers can help you understand whether a modification may be possible and how to approach the process.
When Can Alimony Be Modified in Illinois?
Maintenance may be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. This generally refers to a
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What Is Included in a Basic Estate Plan in Illinois?
A basic estate plan in Illinois includes a small group of legal documents that explain who will make decisions for you and who will receive your property if something happens to you. Many families delay this step, even though the consequences can be serious.
In 2025, a nationwide estate planning report found that 55 percent of adults in the United States have no estate planning documents at all, meaning they have no will or basic plan in place. As of 2026, when no plan exists, Illinois law steps in and makes decisions for the family. For residents planning ahead, our
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Can You Pause or Stop a Divorce Once It Has Started?
In 2025, the Pew Research Center reported that more than 1.8 million Americans had divorced. As of January 2026, Illinois law allows spouses to pause proceedings or dismiss a case entirely under certain conditions.
Divorce is not always a straight path from filing to final judgment. There is room for reconciliation, delays, and procedural pauses, depending on where the case stands and what both spouses want.
If you are having second thoughts or want time to explore your options, speaking with a DeKalb, IL divorce lawyer early can help you understand what steps are still available.
Can You Stop a
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How Illinois Courts Handle Parental Alienation Claims
Although parental alienation claims are being increasingly raised in Illinois custody disputes, courts tend to approach these claims with caution. Judges fully recognize that one parent can negatively influence a child against the other parent, yet they also understand that not every strained parent-child relationship is the product of parental alienation.
This means that accusing a co-parent of parental alienation can backfire if it is not supported by strong evidence. Illinois family courts always place a child’s best interests (750 ILCS 6/602.7) above all else. When parental alienation is alleged, judges must separate actual parental manipulation from normal
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Who’s Liable for Dog Bites in Illinois Pet-Friendly Shops?
While most of us assume that dog bites happen in parks or neighborhoods, as more pets enter public retail spaces, dog bites and knock-down injuries inside stores are becoming more common. Shoppers tend to believe that if a store is “pet-friendly,” it must have safety rules in place. Unfortunately, many Illinois stores allow dogs inside without enforcing leash rules, temperament requirements, or even capacity limits.
The friendliest dog can become startled in tight quarters and snap at another shopper. In particular, pet-friendly stores can be hazardous for children who move quickly and are at or near the dog’s eye level.
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