Posted on May 21, 2025 in Divorce

While divorce is meant to mark the end of a chapter, when tension escalates into constant conflict, it can feel like the beginning of a never-ending battle. A high-conflict divorce is not just emotionally exhausting—it can disrupt your routine and pull you into a cycle of blame, retaliation, and stress. Heated arguments may become the norm, co-parenting may become a battleground, and every decision may feel like a fight to the finish.

In these volatile situations, it is easy to feel like you are losing control. But with the right approach and the guidance of a Wheaton, IL divorce attorney, you can effectively navigate your next steps.

What Does a High-Conflict Divorce Involve?

A high-conflict divorce is not just a divorce filled with arguments. It typically involves a pattern of aggressive behavior, manipulative tactics, or ongoing legal battles that prevent the case from progressing smoothly. In these divorces, one spouse often refuses to compromise, escalates disagreements, or uses the legal process as a weapon.

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 Posted on May 16, 2025 in Family Law

It is a familiar scene for many divorced parents: the suitcase is by the door, the parenting time schedule says it is time for the visit, but your child refuses to go. You are now stuck in the middle, trying to balance your child’s emotions with a court order you are legally required to follow.

What are you supposed to do? Can you be blamed if your child will not cooperate? Should you force him or her to go? Or will that just make things worse?

These situations are more common than you might think. Illinois courts expect parents to comply with parenting time orders, but the courts also understand that children are not always easy to persuade. 

Navigating this tricky situation requires both compassion and a solid understanding of your legal responsibilities. A DuPage County family law attorney can help you protect your relationship with your child while also avoiding unnecessary legal trouble.

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 Posted on May 12, 2025 in Divorce

A divorce can disrupt nearly every aspect of your life, and the future of your financial situation is likely to be a top concern. If your spouse handled the money, if you gave up a career to raise children, or if you are walking away from years of shared assets and debts, it is only natural to ask: Will I be left with nothing? 

The good news is that Illinois law is not designed to punish one spouse or reward another. Instead, it focuses on equitable outcomes that reflect each person's contributions, financial or otherwise. Whether you were the breadwinner, the caregiver, or somewhere in between, a Kane County family law attorney will fight to ensure you receive a fair share of what was built during the marriage. 

How Does Illinois Divide Property in a Divorce?

Illinois adheres to the principle of equitable distribution when dividing marital property. This approach is not necessarily a 50/50 split; instead, it focuses on achieving a division that is fair to both spouses based on the unique circumstances of the marriage.

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 Posted on May 05, 2025 in Spousal Maintenance

Imagine this: You are making monthly spousal maintenance payments to your former spouse as required by your divorce agreement. You then discover that he or she is living with a new partner. Understandably, you may wonder if you still have to pay spousal maintenance, especially if the couple shares a home, splits expenses, and appears to provide for each other. Since this new relationship has changed your ex’s financial situation, does it justify modifying or terminating support payments?

Many people face this scenario after divorce, and it can raise several questions when long-term maintenance is involved. However, specific situations under Illinois law can allow for a modification or termination of spousal maintenance. A Kane County divorce lawyer can help you understand whether your circumstances meet the legal criteria for modifying maintenance and guide you through the proper steps to request a change.

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 Posted on April 30, 2025 in Divorce

When your lifestyle, legacy, and financial future are on the line, a divorce can feel like a high-risk negotiation. For those who are going through a high-asset divorce, it can be stressful to deal with complex asset divisions, business valuations, and intense emotional strain. In these situations, a divorce coach is essential to maintaining your well-being. With a coach guiding your mindset and an Illinois divorce lawyer protecting your legal rights, you can approach each decision with strength, strategy, and composure.

What Is a Divorce Coach?

A divorce coach is a trained professional who helps people manage the emotional and logistical challenges of divorce. While not a therapist or legal advisor, a divorce coach focuses on helping you stay clear-headed and focused on your long-term goals. In high-asset divorces, where decisions often involve business ownership, intricate property division, and lifestyle transitions, a divorce coach plays an important role in helping you move forward with intention.

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 Posted on April 29, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce is rarely simple, but what happens when your spouse vanishes—no texts, no forwarding address, not even a social media post to track him or her down? For some, the end of a marriage does not come with closure, but instead with unanswered questions and a missing partner. Whether your spouse intentionally disappeared or simply drifted out of contact, you might feel trapped in a legal limbo.

The good news is that Illinois law does not require you to remain married just because your spouse cannot be found. If you are ready to move forward but do not know where your spouse is, a skilled Illinois family law attorney can help you explore legal alternatives and guide you through the process.

What Happens If My Spouse Cannot Be Located?

In Illinois, a person can still file for divorce even if his or her spouse is missing. Normally, both spouses must be notified of the divorce proceedings through a legal procedure called "service of process". However, when a spouse cannot be found after a diligent search, the court may allow a different method known as "service by publication".

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 Posted on April 24, 2025 in Family Law

When parents divorce or separate, many focus on immediate needs like child custody, parenting time, and child support. But what happens when that child is ready to attend college? Illinois parents may be surprised to learn that their financial responsibilities do not always end when their child turns 18. A judge can order one or both parents to help pay for college—even years after a divorce is finalized.

Whether you are planning for your child’s future or facing a dispute about education costs, an Illinois family law attorney can help you understand the legal rights and options for your specific circumstances.

What Does State Law Say About College Costs?

Illinois courts can order separated or divorced parents to contribute to a child’s college expenses, which can include tuition, housing, books, transportation, and even health insurance. This law treats college-related expenses separately from typical child support. These contributions can be court-ordered even if the child is legally an adult, as long as he or she is actively pursuing a college education.

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 Posted on April 22, 2025 in Divorce

 Posted on April 22, 2025 in Divorce

When going through a divorce, conversations with your attorney can feel like the only safe space to vent, strategize, and seek guidance. However, it is natural to wonder—is anything I say to my lawyer truly private? With emotions running high and relationships strained, protecting your legal conversations becomes just as important as protecting your assets or parental rights.

Fortunately, Illinois law offers clear protections to ensure confidential discussions with your lawyer stay confidential. An Illinois family law attorney can help you understand these protections and what actions might put your privacy at risk.

What Is Attorney-Client Privilege?

Attorney-client privilege is a legal concept that protects communications between a client and his or her attorney from being shared without the client’s consent. This was created to allow clients to speak openly and honestly with their lawyers, which is vital in building a strong legal case. Therefore, if you tell your lawyer something about your marriage, finances, or personal concerns during a divorce case, that information is generally protected.

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 Posted on April 18, 2025 in Family Law

When a couple separates or divorces, they often work hard to maintain emotional, logistical, and financial stability for their children. Sometimes, parents may agree that formal child support is unnecessary, especially if they earn similar incomes or equally share parenting time. Even when both parents are on the same page, waiving child support is not as simple as signing an agreement. It is important to understand what the law allows, and an Illinois family law attorney can help you navigate your legal responsibilities and make informed decisions.

Can Parents Make a Private Agreement to Waive Child Support?

In Illinois, parents cannot waive child support simply because they agree to do so. Child support is considered the right of the child, not the parents. Under state law, the court is required to ensure that a child’s financial needs are met, regardless of whether the parents agree to waive support.

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 Posted on April 15, 2025 in Divorce

 Posted on April 15, 2025 in Divorce

Spousal maintenance can have a major impact on your financial future after divorce. One of the most pressing questions for those ordered to pay is: How long will these payments last? In Illinois, the answer is not always straightforward. The duration of maintenance depends on several factors, including how long you were married, the type of support awarded, and whether circumstances change over time. Navigating these rules can be overwhelming, but an Illinois divorce lawyer can help you understand your obligations and work toward a fair outcome under state law.

What Types of Spousal Maintenance Are There?

Illinois courts can order different types of spousal maintenance, each with its own purpose, duration, and rules for modification. These include:

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