How long will my divorce take?
You can find the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/.  This is a basic overview of divorce in Illinois.  You should consult an attorney to discuss how the law applies to the facts in your case.
It depends
This is one of the most frequent questions I am asked.  It requires a typical lawyer answer  -It depends.  There are many factors that contribute to the length of time spent in divorce court.  It is possible to be divorced in just a few weeks.  That is the case if you…
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What if my spouse cuts me off financially when I file for divorce?
This is a common concern for families going through divorce.  The Illinois divorce statute (Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act) has a solution.  After you have filed for divorce but before you have all the information needed for a permanent resolution, you can request temporary relief.  The law is set out in 750 ILCS 5/501.  It provides for several types of financial relief.  We will discuss the most common ones below.
Child Support and Maintenance
The court can order one parent/spouse to pay the other an…
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Shelter-in-Place, Quarantine and Parenting Time
What is Shelter-in-Place?
The State of Illinois is taking progressive measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Most recently, all state residents have been ordered to stay at home starting 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2020 through April 7, 2020.  There are a few exceptions to the Order.  These are limited to individuals working for essential businesses or participating in essential activities.
A comprehensive list of the essential activities can be accessed from the State of Illinois COVID Response Site at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/coronavirus/Pages/default.aspx.
What about parenting time?
The recent stay at home…
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29thDec 2019

Right of First Refusal
The court may award a parent the right of first refusal when that parent has been awarded parenting time and it is in the best interest of the child.  Parents may also agree to the right of first refusal. It means that if a parent who has the kids needs a babysitter for a significant period of time, they must offer time with the kids to the other parent before using a babysitter.
The law is set out in 750 ILCS 5/602.3.
When is it in the best interests of the children? 
The idea…
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In this episode, we discuss information often provided in an initial divorce consultation.
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20thAug 2019

What is an estate plan?
An estate plan may consist of many parts depending on your needs, goals, and concerns.  Common tools used in an estate plan are Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and life insurance.  An important but often overlooked tool is the beneficiary designation. 

What is a beneficiary designation?
Many assets have an option to name a beneficiary.  The advantage of naming a beneficiary is that the asset passes directly to the beneficiary without the need to go through the probate process.  This means that heirs can often receive the asset intended for them more quickly…
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13thApr 2019

What if I can’t pay my child support? 
Illinois modification of child support court orders
Common Misconception
Many people think that if they lose their job or even go to jail that their child support stops automatically. That is not the case. The child support continues until there is a court order to stop it. Meanwhile, back child support, known as an arrearage, adds up and accrues interest. 
In my experience, the most common reasons to fall behind on child support payments are layoffs, injuries, and incarceration.  It seems really unfair that you would still be responsible to…
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14thJan 2019

Mediation in the context of family law
What is mediation?
Mediation is a process where parents and/or spouses meet with a neutral third party (the mediator) to attempt to resolve the issues in their case through negotiation and compromise.  The mediator facilitates the process.  He/She does not take sides or decide the outcome. 
Why mediation?
The purpose of mediation is to keep families out of litigation which can be stressful and expensive. One benefit is that the parties have more control over the outcome of their case as opposed to litigation where the judge decides.  Another benefit is…
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4thNov 2018

I am not a millionaire.  Do I need a Will?  The answer is Yes!  Everyone should have a Will and Estate Plan.
Children
If you have minor children, it is so important to designate in writing who will take care of your children and the property they inherit until they reach an appropriate age.  If you do not have children, you should make plans for who you want to benefit from your hard work.  Illinois has laws that govern who inherits property if there is no Will, but you can make that choice for yourself if you plan…
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3rdOct 2018

Background
Adopting a child can be overwhelming but hiring an experienced attorney will help you navigate the process.
A specified adoption is one in which the biological parent(s) hand-picks (specifies) who will adopt his/her child.  Often, a specified adoption involves the cooperation of at least one, but sometimes both biological parents.
If a biological parent’s rights to the adoptive child have been established, he or she is defined as a “legal parent”.  A woman’s parental rights are automatically established at the time of the child’s birth.  A man’s parental rights can be established in one of two ways:…
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