What Happens to the Marital Residence in an Illinois Divorce?
If marriage is about joining two lives together, then dissolving a marriage involves making important decisions about how things must be divided. More often than not, this includes the family home. As you start to [...]
Pandemic Highlights School-Related Issues and Parental Decision-Making in Divorce
Here in Chicago and around the country, the realities of schooling and the COVID pandemic have shined a spotlight on some common issues in divorce — including the allocation of parental responsibilities and decision-making. For [...]
What Goes Into The Discovery Phase of a Divorce?
If you are interested in learning more about the divorce process in Illinois, then it’s important to understand the discovery phase — and all that may go into it. What Does “Discovery” Mean in a [...]
Contested Vs. Uncontested Divorce in Illinois
Every divorce comes with several important decisions that have to be made. Being able to reach an agreement about these key decisions with your spouse ultimately determines how your divorce will proceed — including if [...]
Contributions to College Expenses Under Section 513: What Parents Need to Know
Seeing a child wrap up their high school experiences and begin applying for college can be an incredibly proud moment. For divorced parents, this time can also come with some major challenges and unexpected hurdles [...]
Divorce In the Era of COVID-19
At the time we’re writing this, the outbreak of novel coronavirus COVID-19 is still dramatically impacting families here in Chicago and around the world. In this unprecedented time, our first priority is making sure that [...]
Co-Parenting During Coronavirus – and Other Emergency Situations
The spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has caused stress and uncertainty for millions of people across the country. As we all practice good hygiene and social distancing in an effort to help flatten the [...]
How Is Maintenance (Formerly Alimony) Calculated In Illinois?
On top of being emotionally trying, divorce can be a complex and confusing process for all parties involved. This is particularly true when you consider the many financial aspects that must be considered in divorce, [...]
What Is Considered Marital Property In Illinois?
Many couples see marriage as the opportunity to build a life together. From purchasing a house or a car; to opening up joint financial accounts; to choosing the furniture and artwork that suit your unique [...]
Is Illinois A ‘No-Fault’ Divorce State?
Illinois is considered to be a pure “no-fault” divorce state, and has been since 2016. In other words, this means that the only grounds for divorce recognized in the state is “irreconcilable differences.” The term [...]
Can Legalized Recreational Marijuana Use Affect Parenting and Caregiver Rights?
The short answer is: yes, just as alcohol is legal and affects parenting and caregiver cases, legalized use of cannabis will not give parents free reign to “get high” without consequence. Recreational cannabis was [...]
Marriage Story: The movie and real life, as reviewed by a Divorce Lawyer
By Jenny R. Jeltes, December 2019 I think about marriage often. I have loved. I have been loved. I have witnessed love and I have witnessed pain- like most humans. Being a divorce lawyer [...]
Self-Care Tips During Your Divorce
When you’re going through a divorce, emotions can run high and your to-do list can seem never-ending, leaving you feeling frazzled. Make sure to find some time for you and block it out on [...]
5 Tips for Your Back to School Routine
The carefree, fun days of summer have come to an end and another school year has begun. Here are five suggestions to help get your family organized and back into a routine so you [...]
I have raised my child since birth…and now I have to take a Parenting Class?
Yes, yes you do. It may come as a surprise to many, but in the State of Illinois, all legal parents going through a divorce or a legal matter involving parental rights and parenting [...]