Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney in Illinois: Which Is Right for Your Loved One?
The US population is aging rapidly, with over 58 million people aged 65 and older, per the Pew Research Center. Having a plan in place if guardianship or power of attorney is needed is vital. [...]
Illinois Elective Share Explained: What It Means to “Take Against the Will”
When a spouse dies and leaves behind a will that disinherits (or substantially shortchanges) the surviving partner, Illinois law does not leave that survivor without recourse. Surviving spouses have a meaningful legal tool: the right [...]
A Chicago Guide to Illinois POA Duties and Accounting Requirements
Picture this: your mother hands you a signed Power of Attorney document and says, "Now you're in charge if anything happens to me." Most people in that moment have no idea that they've just stepped [...]
Illinois Child Support and Maintenance Guidelines: What You Need to Know Now
When couples separate or divorce, two of the most important financial issues they face are determining child support and spousal maintenance (sometimes referred to as alimony). Illinois sets clear statutory guidelines to ensure fairness and [...]
Illinois TODI vs Quitclaim Deeds: Pros and Cons in Estate Planning
When doing your estate planning in Illinois, understanding your options for transferring real property is essential. Two commonly discussed tools are the Transfer on Death Instrument (TODI) and the quitclaim deed. While both can facilitate [...]
A Complete Guide to Adoption in Illinois for LGBTQ+ Families
There are over 40,000 LGBTQ+ households in Illinois, according to information from the US Census Bureau. Same-sex partners raising a child are seven times more likely to be raising an adopted child, per a study [...]
Understanding Joint vs. Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibility and Parenting Time Arrangements in Chicago
Navigating the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time (formerly referred to as “child custody”) during or after a divorce can be one of the most emotionally complex and legally significant challenges a parent will [...]
What Are Requests to Admit? A Powerful Discovery Tool in Illinois Family Law
Requests to Admit (RTAs; also known as Requests for Admission) are essential to civil litigation, including family law cases such as divorce, allocation of parenting time and allocation of parental responsibilities, and guardianship proceedings. In [...]
Illinois Probate Creditor Hierarchy: A Guide to the 7 Classes of Claims
When a person passes away in Illinois without the appropriate estate planning in place, their estate must go through probate. This legal process ensures debts are paid and assets are distributed to heirs according to [...]
The Critical Role of Financial Affidavits in Illinois Divorce and Family Law Cases
In Illinois divorce and family law cases, financial affidavits play a critical role in ensuring fair and equitable outcomes by ensuring transparency among the involved parties. These sworn statements provide a comprehensive snapshot of each [...]
Selecting the Ideal Trustee or Executor: Estate Planning Essentials
No one ever looks forward to conversations about what will happen after they pass away, as it means addressing heavy concepts such as death and money — two topics most families love to avoid. However, [...]
Limited Guardianship in Illinois: A Comprehensive Guide for Families
When a loved one is unable to fully manage their personal or financial affairs, guardianship can be an essential legal tool to ensure their well-being. However, not every situation requires full (plenary) guardianship, which grants [...]
Post-Divorce Estate Planning: Essential Steps to Protect Your Future
After going through a divorce, your life changes in many ways. To fully prepare for your next chapter, it’s essential to take a step back, take stock, and start thinking about the future. As you [...]
Creating a Child-Centered Parenting Plan in Illinois Divorce Cases
Going through a divorce can be a challenging life transition, particularly when children are involved. Both parents and kids have to deal with complex details and changes. In Illinois, parents are legally required to create [...]
Strategies for Entrepreneurs — Protecting Your Business During a Divorce
Dealing with a divorce isn’t fun for anyone, and for entrepreneurs or small business owners, the process can be even more stressful and complicated. You've invested time, energy, and resources into building your enterprise, and [...]
Secure Your Future: The Case for Early Prenuptial Planning
You’re in love, you’ve met your perfect partner, the question has been popped, and it’s time to plan a wedding — congratulations! Getting married is a joyous, exciting, and somewhat nerve-wracking experience but it’s essential [...]
A Guide to Estate Planning for LGBTQ+ Couples
Having an estate plan in place for the future is vital for every family, but it’s especially crucial now for those in the LGBTQ+ community. On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell [...]
What You Need to Know About Custody, Visitation, and Parental Rights in Illinois
Going through a divorce can be difficult and emotionally draining, and the situation can be even more complex when children are involved. Illinois law refers to “custody” as the allocation of parental responsibilities, which includes [...]
Modifying Maintenance and Child Support Payments Due to Loss of Income in Illinois
Life happens, and financial situations can shift in an instant due to unforeseen events such as employment loss, salary cuts, or health issues. For parents, a sudden change in income can have wide-reaching effects, especially [...]
How to Minimize Family Conflicts During Probate
Probate, the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate, can be a challenging and emotionally charged time for you and your loved ones, especially if substantial assets are involved. Unfortunately, these circumstances can sometimes [...]
Navigating High-Asset Divorce In Illinois: What You Need to Know
Divorce, especially in the context of high-net-worth individuals, can be a complex and emotionally draining life transition. Apart from the mental turmoil, the division of assets, properties, and businesses can become intricate and overwhelming. These [...]
How to Transfer a Vehicle Upon Death Without the Need for Probate in Illinois
The loss of a loved one is a difficult time, which can be exacerbated by having to go through probate court. The ultimate goal of this administrative mechanism is to ensure that the financial matters [...]
Divorcing With a Reverse Mortgage: What You Need To Know
Dealing with the emotional fallout from a difficult divorce is challenging at any age, but the process can be particularly complex for older couples with a reverse mortgage (also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages [...]
What Is Parental Alienation and How Can It Affect My Custody Arrangement?
Going through a divorce or the dissolution of a long-term relationship can be an extremely difficult and emotionally charged life transition for you and your family, especially if there are children involved. Acrimonious parental responsibility [...]
What Is Dissipation in a Divorce?
Divorce is a complex journey, often fraught with emotional turbulence and legal intricacies. When marriages end, the process of dividing assets and debts can become highly contentious. One particularly thorny issue that often arises is [...]
How is Child Support Enforced If Someone Doesn’t Pay?
Raising a child is one of life’s greatest joys — as well as a significant financial responsibility. Per the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), child support guidelines in Illinois are intended “to [...]
Conservatorship vs. Guardianship: Understanding the Differences in Arizona
When a loved one becomes incapacitated or is unable to make responsible decisions for themselves, families often seek legal solutions to protect their assets and well-being. Two common options are conservatorship and guardianship, both court-appointed [...]
Understanding the Role of Depositions in Family Law Cases
Family law matters can be complex and emotionally charged. Understanding the legal moves can empower you to participate more effectively and more confidently navigate these situations. One vital aspect of pre-trial discovery is the deposition. [...]
Accountability in Guardianship: Addressing Estate Fund Mismanagement for Minor Estates
For Chicago families, creating a comprehensive estate plan is essential to securing your children's financial future. But within estate planning, few aspects carry as much weight as managing a minor's inheritance. The sudden loss of [...]
Navigating Step-Parent Rights: Understanding Legal Authority and Responsibilities in Illinois
Blended families are becoming increasingly common, but navigating the laws governing step-parent rights and responsibilities can be complex and emotionally draining. Step-parents play a crucial role in many Chicagoland households, often assuming parental responsibilities and [...]
Navigating The Changing Landscape of Pet Custody in Illinois
If you’re one of the 86.9 million Americans who share their home with a beloved pet, you understand how essential they are to your happiness and well-being. When faced with a difficult life transition like [...]
Guardianship Guidebook: Rights, Responsibilities, and Obligations in the State of Illinois
The issue of guardianship is complex and fraught with myths and misconceptions. But it’s a necessary step when a person is unable to make and communicate responsible decisions regarding their care or finances due to [...]
Secure Your Legacy: A Guide to the Proper Execution of Wills and Trusts in Illinois
Planning for the inevitable transfer of your assets provides peace of mind that your loved ones will be securely provided for. However, even the most comprehensive estate plan can fail if your documentation is not [...]
Accountability in Guardianship: Addressing Estate Fund Mismanagement for Disabled Adults
Estate mismanagement poses a significant challenge for disabled adults who rely on these funds to secure their well-being and provide for their needs. The misuse of their financial assets can lead to dire consequences, jeopardizing [...]
Changing Your Will: When and How to Update Your Estate Plan
In the intricate tapestry of life, change is inevitable. As the chapters unfold, so do your circumstances, priorities, and relationships. These events often necessitate updates to your estate plan to ensure that your assets are [...]
Planning Ahead for 2024: How a Family Attorney Can Help
Preparing to make a change in 2024? Studies show that in past years, about a third of all Americans have made new year’s resolutions, which might include important goals like saving more money, eating more [...]
The Impact of Social Media on Divorce Proceedings: What You Need to Know
Social media permeates nearly every facet of our lives today. But when nuanced family transitions arise, your online presence can easily complicate proceedings if you’re not thinking strategically. During emotional and stressful times, it’s critical [...]
Maintenance (Formerly Alimony) and Spousal Support: Understanding Your Rights and Obligations
Divorce is undoubtedly a challenging chapter in anyone's life, fraught with emotional turmoil and legal complexities. The dissolution of a marriage has profound financial implications for divorcing spouses beyond just splitting marital property. Among the [...]
Legal Considerations for Grandparents: Rights and Options in Family Law Matters
In the intricate tapestry of family dynamics, grandparents often play a pivotal role in providing love, support, and stability. However, when matters take an unexpected turn, understanding the legal considerations for grandparents becomes crucial. What [...]
Securing an Emergency Hearing in Illinois Family Court
In the domain of family law, frightening situations can swiftly evolve, frequently requiring prompt legal intervention to safeguard the welfare of those affected, especially when children are involved. When faced with upsetting scenarios like child [...]
Estate Planning Tips for Small Business Owners: Protecting Your Business Legacy
As a small business owner, you've put your blood, sweat, and tears into building your company. It's your legacy — something you hope to pass down to your family as an inheritance or sell and [...]
The Role of Advance Healthcare Directives: Ensuring Your Medical Wishes are Honored
Estate planning and healthcare directives may not be the most pleasant topic to ponder, but it's undoubtedly one of the most critical steps you can take to safeguard your family's future. While comprehensive estate planning [...]
Avoiding Family Disputes: The Benefits of Mediation in Estate Planning and Probate
Discussing estate planning with loved ones can be overwhelming, as it involves sensitive topics like finances, aging, and mortality. Having these conversations is crucial to ensure peace of mind for both you and your family. [...]
A Guide to Understanding Illinois Parental Allocation Laws
Getting married and starting a family is one of life’s greatest joys. Unfortunately, not every relationship can stand the test of time, and you’ll need to consider what’s best for your children when you divorce [...]
How to Handle College Expenses in Illinois Divorces
High school graduates all over the state are preparing to head off to college, while thousands of younger students face uncertainty about how they’re going to afford university application fees, entrance exams, and tuition in [...]
The A-Z of Estate Planning
Having an estate plan in place is an essential part of protecting your family and ensuring that you have control over your own future. Working with an experienced estate planning professional is the best way [...]
Small Estate Affidavits: What They Are and How They Work
We often hear about people who believe they don’t need to worry about estate planning because they have an estate that is on the smaller side. At the Law Offices of J. Jeltes, Ltd., we [...]
Estate Planning for Domestic Partners
Estate planning is the process of organizing and preparing for the distribution of your assets after your death. It’s an essential part of life, ensuring that your loved ones are taken care of and that [...]
What To Do When a Will is Lost
Processing the loss of a loved one can be a difficult and stressful time, emotionally and, unfortunately, administratively. The average person doesn’t deal with death, legal documentation, and probate court on a daily basis. So, [...]
Why Millennials Need an Estate Plan
If you were born between 1981 and 1996, you’re a millennial, part of the "most racially and ethnically diverse adult generation in the nation’s history,” according to the Pew Research Center. Members of this cohort [...]
How to Handle Testamentary Capacity Issues in Illinois
For a will and other estate planning documents to be deemed valid by a probate court, they must meet several litmus tests. One of these critical factors is what is known as the ‘testamentary capacity’ [...]
How to Encourage Your Loved Ones to Create an Estate Plan
When it comes to discussing estate planning, many people would rather avoid the topic than bring up the sensitive issues that come along with it. Conversations about finances can inspire uncomfortable emotions like fear and [...]
What Documents Should Be Included In My Estate Plan?
Estate planning is sometimes a difficult subject to discuss, but it’s vitally important to put your wishes in writing should anything happen to you. Creating a plan can ensure that your loved ones are cared [...]
Transferring a Guardianship to Another State
When we assume guardianship over another, we think about any number of things: how do we manage an addition or a change to our families? How might our changing circumstances affect us emotionally? Financially? What [...]
How to Title Assets in Estate Planning
Creating an estate plan isn’t just about distributing assets — it’s about ensuring your loved ones are cared for, and their burdens minimized, should the unthinkable happen. A comprehensive estate plan is vital if you [...]
What is a Surety Bond in Illinois Probate Proceedings?
Probate is the legal process in the state of Illinois for administering the property of someone owning real estate and assets valued at more than $100K, who is deceased, incapacitated, or under 18 years of [...]
Appraising Valuable Personal Property for Estate Planning: Why and How
If you have an artist’s eye and appreciate items of great worth, then this article is for you. When a person owns artwork, expensive jewelry, collectible antiques, and other prized possessions, they often think they [...]
What is the Safety Deposit Act and How Can I Access the Safe Deposit Box of a Deceased Loved One?
Since the mid-1800s, people have been using safety deposit boxes at their local bank or credit union to store important documents and valuables, like jewelry or rare collectibles. While some banks have scaled back or [...]
Taking Children Out-Of-State After Divorce: What You Need To Know About Illinois Law
Whether the goal is to be closer to family, to pursue a new job opportunity, to cohabitate with a new partner, or to finally settle into the home of your dreams, there are many reasons [...]
How Are Assets Divided In An Illinois Divorce
Getting divorced in Illinois will always come with a number of critical and complex issues that need to be addressed — including the division and distribution of assets and debts. Let’s dive into some of [...]
What Is The Difference Between A Power Of Attorney And A Durable Power Of Attorney
The power of attorney, also known as a POA, can be an essential piece of your estate planning puzzle. Flexible, customizable tools that can be shaped to meet your specific needs, powers of attorney can [...]
What Happens In A Custody Hearing In Illinois?
As a parent, you more likely than not have many preferences, hopes, and ideas about where your children should live and how they should be raised following your divorce. At the same time, your soon-to-be-ex-partner [...]
Why It’s More Important Than Ever To Have A Comprehensive Estate Plan
Many of us think of estate planning as a complex and unpleasant task to be put off whenever possible. However, in these uncertain times, estate planning is especially critical. Your estate plan provides certainty for [...]
What Is A Postnuptial Agreement, And When Do I Need One?
In addition to being an important step in an interpersonal relationship, marriage imposes a complex set of default legal and quasi-contractual obligations on each partner. Like a prenuptial agreement, a postnuptial agreement, sometimes called a [...]
When Is Probate Required In Illinois? Here’s What You Need to Know
In the state of Illinois, probate is the legal process required for administering the property of someone who passed away. According to the Probate Act of 1975, 755 ILCS 5/Art. XXV, a formal court proceeding [...]
What You Need To Know About Collaborative Divorce
When we think about divorce, we tend to think of a contentious process in which the parties argue over every detail, leaving all involved with hard feelings — and substantial legal bills. But divorce doesn’t [...]
What You Need To Know About Enforcing A Prenup In Illinois
Prenuptial agreements are an effective, and increasingly popular, way for partners to make critical decisions about assets and property before tying the knot. With that being said, in the event of a divorce, it is [...]
The Importance of Estate Planning for Blended Families
Blended families are everywhere in pop culture — from the swinging ‘60s vibes of The Brady Bunch to the complex, intertwined family arrangements we see in shows ranging from Modern Family to Cheaper By the [...]
How Does Legal Separation Differ From Divorce In Illinois
It’s rarely easy to decide to end a marriage. And because marriage is a complex legal relationship, not just a personal one, the choice to end a marriage is often more complicated than the parties [...]
What Is A “Taxable Estate”
Most of us know the term “estate tax,” but may not understand how it interacts with our own estate planning. One of the most frequently encountered — and misunderstood — topics in estate planning is [...]
The Pet Trust: Securing Well-Being For Your Furry Loved Ones
According to the American Veterinary Association, 76% of cat owners and 85% of dog owners consider pets to be members of the family. As we plan for life transitions, assuring the well-being of our companion [...]
Estate Planning With A Prenuptial Agreement: What You Need To Know
If we were making a list of the subjects nobody likes talking about, prenuptial agreements and estate planning would likely be near the top. However, a prenuptial agreement can be a vital part of an [...]
When Should My Trust’s Beneficiaries Receive Their Distributions?
There’s no question that estate planning is complicated and can be stressful. As you prepare for your family’s future, you’ll be faced with a lot of questions. Things like the guardianship of any minors under [...]
Important Resources For Adoptive Parents
Adoption is a beautiful way of creating a family, but it can be a daunting legal process. In fact, for potential adoptive parents, understanding the process can be downright discouraging. Finding the right resources before [...]
Managing Funds Held On Behalf Of A Minor
In Illinois, transferring or leaving money or property to a minor child can be a complicated proposition. Under Illinois law, like the law of most other states, minors can’t hold property directly. Someone else- a [...]
What Happens In A Contested Adult Guardianship?
Adult guardianship is a legal process by which an adult who has been adjudicated disabled is assigned a legal guardian. Most adult guardianships are uncontested, meaning that all parties agree on the need for guardianship [...]
Myths And Misconceptions About Adoption In Illinois
Adoption is much more than just a legal process — it is a profound and joyous way to add a new member to the family. Unfortunately, those considering placing their child for adoption or adopting [...]
Reopening A Closed Probate Estate In Illinois
Probate is the legal process by which a person’s estate is administered and distributed upon their death. The purpose of the probate process is to distribute the decedent’s property and to make sure all debts [...]
Estate Planning For Digital Assets
A surprising amount of modern life takes place online. Having a combination of multiple email accounts, cloud storage accounts with photos and videos, social media accounts, banking, web domains, and payment apps like Venmo or [...]
Common Myths About Guardianship
The recent news of some high-profile guardianships, also referred to as conservatorships, has led to a lot of hotly contested debates on the topic. Myths abound and often lead to misunderstandings of the guardianship process [...]
What Happens At An Adult Guardianship Hearing In Illinois?
Adult guardianship is a legal process in which an adult is adjudicated legally disabled incapacitated by reason of mental disability or illness and the terms of the personal or financial guardianship are set. In an [...]
Adoption for LGBTQ+ Couples: What Illinois Families Should Know
Bringing a new child into your home can be one of life’s most exciting gifts. For those who are unable to have their own biological children or those who simply wish to expand their family [...]
What to Expect During a Prove-Up Hearing In an Illinois Divorce
You’ve gone through the process of filing for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. You and your attorney have navigated discovery, and you’ve made it through rounds of negotiations with your spouse and their attorney [...]
Supervised Vs. Independent Estate Administration in Illinois
Losing a loved one can become even harder when you are put in a position to navigate their estate through the complex and time-consuming legal process of probate. The ultimate goal of probate, also called [...]
Who Can Adopt a Child Under Illinois Law?
Bringing a new child into your home can be one of life’s most exciting gifts. For those who are unable to have their own biological children or who simply wish to expand their family in [...]
How Long Does Probate Take In Illinois?
The loss of a loved one is an incredibly difficult life transition to navigate. In addition to the emotional upheaval that accompanies a loss, this moment can also require you to navigate the probate process [...]
What Post-Decree Matters Might Need to Be Revisited After an Illinois Divorce?
If a marriage is about entwining a couple’s lives together, then divorce is about extricating those same people apart — a process that is not always easy. Navigating the divorce process can be scary and [...]
What to Expect When a Divorce Goes to Trial In Illinois
Does the idea of divorce conjure up images of angry men and women arguing in front of a judge in a brightly lit courtroom? Decades of Law & Order and countless movies have created the [...]
What to Look For in an Adoption Attorney
For many people, bringing a new child home is one of life’s most exciting and fulfilling gifts. For those who are unable to have their own biological children or who simply wish to expand their [...]
Heirs Vs. Legatees Vs. Beneficiaries: Understanding the Differences in Illinois Estate Planning and Probate
Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect and provide for your family in the future. This process involves making arrangements during your life for what will happen to [...]
Contesting a Will in Illinois: What You Need to Know
A will is an essential component of any comprehensive estate plan. This important legal document may be used to set down your wishes for how you want your property to be distributed at your death, [...]
How to File a Will In Illinois
If you’ve seen a lot of Old Hollywood movies, you might have seen a dramatic scene in which some official gathers a recently deceased person’s friends and family together for a “reading of the will.” [...]
Power of Attorney for Property Vs. Power of Attorney for Health Care
While it is not always pleasant or easy to think about, the reality is that no one is immune from suffering an unexpected illness or serious accident. Planning ahead now can help ensure that you [...]
What Types of Advance Directives Are Used In Illinois?
While it is not always the most pleasant thing to think about, estate planning is one of the most important things you can do to provide for your family in the future — and that [...]
Unpacking 6 Common Myths About Divorce In Illinois
Divorce is one of those topics on which everyone seems to have an opinion— although the fact of the matter is that many people here in Illinois actually believe some outdated or flat-out incorrect myths [...]
What Does Child Support Cover In Illinois?
For anyone thinking about the ins and outs of getting a divorce in Illinois, child support is one of the most important considerations to keep in mind — and can also be one of the [...]
How to Talk About a Prenup With Your Partner
Prenups are not only for the rich, famous, and ultra wealthy. Instead, they can be useful for any couple looking to enter into their marriage with clarity and peace of mind. Prenuptial agreements can help [...]
What Is an Open Adoption?
Whether you are a family considering adopting a child or a birth parent thinking about all of your options for placement, there are many important terms and concepts that you are likely to come across [...]
Considering Guardianship of an Elderly Parent? Ask Yourself These Questions First
While not many people like to think about all of the health and lifestyle changes that can come with aging, they are a fact of life. For millions of people here in Chicago and around [...]
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 [...]
What Are Trusts, and How Do They Work? A Guide for Illinois Residents
As you start to think about the future and make plans to protect yourself and your loved ones, one concept that you might see come up again and again is the trust. Trusts are an [...]
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 [...]
In Illinois, What Is the Legal Definition of ‘Disabled’ in Guardianship?
If you’re weighing the possibility of becoming guardian to an adult loved one here in Illinois, then there are several important concepts to understand — including the legal definition of disability. In Illinois, guardianship may [...]
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 [...]
How to Start Talking About Estate Planning With Your Family
Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to help protect your family’s future — but it’s also an incredibly difficult thing to talk about, for many people. After all, talking [...]
7 Important Questions to Ask When Considering Adoption
There’s a famous quote that “family isn’t made from blood, it’s made from love.” Adoption is a powerful and meaningful way to expand your family, and give a child or teenager the love, comfort, and [...]
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 [...]
Do All Assets Need to Go Through Probate in Illinois?
Losing a loved one is a difficult and emotional time. This tough transition can be made even harder when you need to navigate through a complex and time-consuming court process. In Illinois, the legal process for [...]
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 [...]
Coronavirus and Your Estate Plan: Do You Have Powers of Attorney In Place?
The spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been a time of adjustment for many here in Chicago and around the country. As we all adapt to working remotely, homeschooling children, picking up new technology, [...]
When Should I Start Thinking About Estate Planning?
What do you think of when you hear the phrase estate planning? There’s a common conception that estate planning is only needed by the rich or the elderly, and not something that most people need [...]
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, [...]
How Do I Start the Adoption Process In Illinois?
Welcoming a child into your home through adoption can be an incredible opportunity to grow your family and fill your life with love. However, as you first start to consider everything that goes into adoption [...]
Guardianship vs. Power of Attorney
As we get older, it is important that we think about what will happen to our assets once we eventually pass away. Both a power of attorney and guardianship are two possibilities that help [...]
Plenary Guardianship Vs. Limited Guardianship
In Illinois, guardianship of an adult can be a healthy and proactive option for all involved. With that said, it’s important to understand that becoming a legal guardian can be a complex process, with many [...]
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 [...]
What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will in Illinois?
In Illinois, what happens if someone passes away without a last will and testament? Dying without a will is known as dying intestate. This occurrence is more common than you might think, and the state [...]
Understanding Five Common Types of Adoption In Illinois
Considering adoption in Illinois? It’s important to know the common types of adoption available in our area. Equipped with this information, you may be able to gain a better understanding of which form of adoption [...]
Guardian of the Person Vs. Guardian of the Estate
Here in Chicago, understanding the many moving parts that go into legal guardianship can be complicated, and can easily start to become overwhelming — especially if you’re navigating this tricky process for the first time. [...]
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 [...]
Five Reasons to Start Thinking About Your Estate Plan
Creating an estate plan is one of the most effective things you can do to help provide for your family’s comfort, stability, and peace of mind in a difficult time. Understandably, not many people like [...]
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 [...]
November is Adoption Awareness Month
Everyone is connected to adoption in some way – whether it be adoption through foster care, private adoption, international adoption, or adoption of a family member. Regardless of how an adoption happens, adoptees deserve [...]
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 [...]
Take the Fright out of Sharing Parenting Time this Halloween
With Halloween upon us, Chicagoland kids (and parents) are getting their costumes ready for school parades and trick or treating. Perhaps someone is begging mom or dad to “please, please just one more time, let [...]
Marriage on the Rocks? Facing Divorce? Here are 6 Immediate Things to Do
By: Jenny R. Jeltes Get counseling (even if you don't think you need it). Whether you have had professional counseling in the past or whether you and your spouse attended marriage counseling together, divorce [...]
I Do…Want a Prenup!
Premarital (Prenuptial) Agreements (and postnuptial agreements) have become much more common among the middle-class in recent years. Contrary to popular belief, premarital agreements are not just for the celebrities and athletes. There has [...]