Divorce is fraught with complex issues that must be addressed, and perhaps none more so than the issue of marital asset division. Once an Illinois couple’s relationship has irretrievably broken down, neither spouse rarely looks out for the other spouse’s well-being. Financial negotiations must be undertaken that are fundamentally zero-sum in nature; what one spouse gets in a divorce, the other spouse must necessarily lose. 
It is natural, therefore, for there to be an element of self-preservation in the asset division process. Spouses who are high-income earners are perhaps especially wary of being taken advantage of or losing…
Continue Reading Does My Spouse Get Part of My Bonus in Our Divorce Settlement?

Most people who choose to end their marriage want to mitigate the hostility, stress, and contention of the divorce process as much as possible. However, they also want to ensure that they will receive the best possible outcome. For many, resolving the divorce through collaborative law is the answer.
 An Illinois collaborative divorce is a type of dissolution of marriage that allows couples to end their marriage through negotiation and agreement rather than through litigation. In a collaborative divorce, the parties work with their respective attorneys to reach an agreement on all aspects of their divorce, including child-related issues, property…
Continue Reading Understanding Participation Agreements in Illinois Collaborative Divorce Cases 

Federal law defines a hostile work environment as one in which behavior is severe or pervasive enough to create an environment that a reasonable person would find to be hostile. Anything from constantly being asked on a date to unwanted physical contact may lead to a hostile work environment.
Sexual harassment is something no one should tolerate. This blog will explain some common manifestations of hostile work environment harassment and what you can do if you believe you have been a victim.
Examples of Hostile Work Environment Harassment
There are a few things to consider when determining whether or not…
Continue Reading Is My Workplace a Hostile Work Environment?

Married couples entangle their lives romantically, legally, and financially. Ending a marriage is not as simple as deciding you no longer want to be married. There are seemingly countless issues to contend with. For many people, one of the greatest impediments to getting divorced is their living situation. With record-high inflation and skyrocketing housing costs, many people are unable to afford to move out of a shared home. If you want a divorce but you and your spouse cannot afford separate homes, you may worry that this will hinder the divorce process.
Divorce Grounds in Illinois
Fortunately, spouses are not…
Continue Reading Can I Get a Divorce if We Still Live Together?

 Sexual harassment is considered discrimination. It is prohibited by both Illinois and federal laws. Unfortunately, not everyone complies with the laws designed to keep our workplaces safe. According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, there were just under 100,000 harassment complaints between 2018 and 2021.
In an effort to combat the ongoing problem of workplace sexual harassment, the city of Chicago has expanded sexual harassment laws and anti-harassment training requirements. Chicago companies are now requiring bystander training that teaches people how to prevent, recognize, and report harassment.
Teaching People to Intervene on Behalf of Sexual Harassment Victims
A…
Continue Reading Chicago Sexual Harassment Training Now Includes Bystander Training

Millions of adults in the U.S. deal with mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. Divorced and unmarried parents often have questions about how mental health can influence the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. Illinois courts make every child custody decision with the child’s best interests in mind. So, if a parent suffers from a mental health condition that affects his or her ability to care for the child and keep the child safe, this can certainly influence the court’s decision. However, Illinois law clearly states that parental conduct that does not…
Continue Reading How Can a Parent’s Mental Illness Affect Child Related Issues in a Divorce?

For many, being a professional musician is a dream occupation. However, more and more information is being uncovered about the true nature of the music industry. HBO recently released The Idol, which explores the darker side of being a famous musician. The docuseries focuses on sexual harassment, abuse, and manipulation suffered by musicians in pursuit of stardom. The series comes just after former pop sensation R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years for sex trafficking.
Sexual harassment in the music industry is not a new phenomenon. Fortunately, people are beginning to take sexual harassment allegations seriously. If you were sexually…
Continue Reading Exploring the Problem of Sexual Harassment in the Music Industry

Sexual harassment may involve anything from offensive “jokes” to unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature. Multiple state and federal laws prohibit sexual harassment. Unfortunately, workers in a wide range of industries continue to experience sexual harassment.
If you have experienced sexual harassment – or even just behavior that made you feel uncomfortable, it is important to speak up. Do not let the harassment continue. File a complaint according to your company’s sexual harassment policy. If the harassment does not stop or if your employer retaliates against you, you should speak to a lawyer about taking legal action.
As…
Continue Reading Avoid These Common Mistakes When Reporting Workplace Sexual Harassment

Google Trends shows that searches for the term “narcissist” have increased dramatically in the last decade. More and more people are recognizing narcissistic behaviors in their friends, family, or coworkers and then using the popular search engine to learn more.
If you are divorcing someone who fits the description of a narcissist, you are likely in store for a bumpy ride. Fortunately, there are many tools and resources you can use to stay sane during the divorce process. As you prepare for the split, start building a “toolkit” of useful skills, resources, and individuals who can help you throughout…
Continue Reading Gather Your Toolkit Before Divorcing a Narcissist Spouse  

Whether it is playing a game of blackjack or keno, betting on sports, or buying a lottery ticket, Americans love to gamble. For many, gambling is a casual hobby. For others, however, gambling is a full-blown addiction. The National Center for Responsible Gaming reports that about one percent of the U.S. adult population suffers from a severe gambling problem. However, many experts believe that number is higher than reported.
If your spouse has a gambling addiction, you know first-hand how destructive it can be on both a financial level and a personal level. Many marriages cannot withstand the impact of…
Continue Reading Getting a Divorce When a Spouse Has a Gambling Addiction

Getting married for the second time can bring about a host of different emotions. On one hand, a new romantic relationship is a reason for joyous celebration. On the other hand, individuals who have already been through a divorce may be nervous that their second marriage will also end in divorce.
If you are getting married for the second time, it is important to protect your rights and financial interests through a prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement.
How a Prenup Can Benefit You and Your New Partner
Many people hesitate to even consider a prenuptial agreement. They assume that…
Continue Reading Second Marriage? Consider a Prenuptial Agreement