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?
A…
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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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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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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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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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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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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.
Continue Reading Who’s Liable for Dog Bites in Illinois Pet-Friendly Shops?

When Illinois courts face a high-conflict custody case, there is often a shift from cooperative co-parenting to a structured parallel parenting plan designed to limit contact and reduce conflict. Oversight by a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) (750 ILCS 5/506) can shape everything from communication protocols to how exchanges are structured. The GAL acts as the court’s investigator and makes recommendations based on the child’s best interests.
Many parents fail to understand just how far a GAL’s authority extends and how his or her recommendations influence the judge. While the judge will make the final decision on the parenting…
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The manner in which Illinois employers can use non-compete and non-solicitation agreements was sharply curtailed by the 2022 Freedom to Work Act amendments. But for contractors and construction firms, there is another line of defense that can, in some cases, be even stronger: the Illinois Trade Secrets Act (765 ILCS 1065).
When key personnel take project bids, client lists, or cost models to a competitor, trade-secret litigation can often fill the gap left by weakened non-competes. Consulting with an experienced Winnebago County, IL construction litigation attorney can help you protect your competitive information, enforce confidentiality, and respond when…
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While the goal of most divorced couples is to have financial and emotional closure of the marriage, what if you learn months or years later that your ex-spouse hid assets, concealed significant debts, or even forged your signature on financial documents? Illinois law gives courts limited power to reopen divorce judgments when fraud, mistakes, or newly discovered evidence come to light.
A wronged spouse may petition to modify or vacate the decree under 750 ILCS 5/510 and Section 2-1401 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure when deception or material omissions were present. To better understand how Illinois handles post-divorce…
Continue Reading Post-Divorce Discovery of Hidden Debt in Illinois

Virtually every business transaction has a contract behind it. Even the most carefully written contract can end up in a dispute. These disputes can quickly drain financial resources, damage business and personal reputations, and ultimately end up in court – an expensive, time-consuming process. With the right legal planning, you can reduce your risk of contract disputes while protecting your business.   
Ambiguous language or terms are a major cause of contract disputes, causing both sides to interpret the contract differently. Other causes of contract disputes include unforeseen changes in circumstances and economic fluctuations. Contracts drafted by a layperson or those…
Continue Reading Top Contract Disputes in Illinois and How to Avoid Them

Although divorce is rarely simple or emotionally easy, when assisted reproductive technology is part of the equation, divorce can be even more complex. There have recently been some high-profile disputes over frozen embryos in Illinois. The question of whether to implant the embryos, donate them, or destroy them raises questions about reproductive rights, parenthood, and even property rights. Since Illinois courts do not yet have an absolute rule about frozen embryos during divorce, many couples could find themselves in uncharted waters as fertility issues collide with divorce laws.
One of the most high-profile Illinois cases involving frozen embryos is Szafranski …
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In busy cities across America, including Illinois, bicyclists are often forced to share narrow streets with parked cars, significantly increasing the risk of “dooring” accidents. Dooring accidents occur when a passenger in a parked vehicle suddenly opens the vehicle door into an oncoming cyclist’s path. Crashes like this can cause severe injuries to the cyclist, but who is legally responsible when it happens?
Cyclists have protections through Illinois laws, and personal injury lawsuits allow those injured to recover damages. If you have been injured in a dooring accident, you must understand your rights. Consulting with an experienced Champaign County, IL…
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