Posted on June 20, 2025 in Divorce

When a marriage ends, most people expect to divide assets, but few anticipate the financial hurdles that come with debt. From shared credit cards to medical bills or business loans, the question of who pays what after the divorce can quickly turn a difficult situation into a high-stakes financial puzzle. 

In Illinois, the law does not always treat debt the way people would assume. A bill in your spouse’s name could become your responsibility, or a debt you never knew existed might suddenly impact your credit.

Understanding how state courts classify and divide debt is vital to protecting your future. A Wheaton divorce attorney can help you untangle complex financial obligations and advocate for a fair division of assets and debts.

What Types of Debt Are Considered in an Illinois Divorce?

In Illinois, debts are categorized as either marital or non-marital. Marital debt includes anything borrowed or charged by either spouse while the couple was married, even if the account is only in one person’s name. Non-marital debt refers to debt taken on before the marriage began or after the couple legally separated. This can also apply to debts excluded by a valid prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.

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 Posted on June 16, 2025 in Divorce

Being served divorce papers can be an overwhelming moment, even if you knew the divorce was coming. It signals the legal beginning to the end of a marriage, and what you do next can significantly affect your financial future, parental rights, and emotional well-being. In Illinois, divorce laws set specific timelines and procedures that must be followed once papers are served. To learn more about what you need to do next, it is crucial to consult with a DuPage County divorce attorney who can help you protect your interests at every stage of the process.

What Do Divorce Papers Contain?

Divorce papers usually consist of two important documents: a Summons and a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The Summons informs you that a case has been filed and tells you how long you have to respond, which is typically 30 days in Illinois. 

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 Posted on June 11, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce is a major turning point that can reshape various aspects of your future, including how you will live during retirement. Amid the stress of dividing homes, debts, and parenting time, retirement accounts can quietly become one of the most overlooked and misunderstood assets. Your decisions about these funds can determine whether you retire comfortably or face years of financial strain.

Unlike checking accounts or household items, retirement assets come with layers of rules, tax consequences, and long-term implications. Failing to properly address them during your divorce can result in missed opportunities and lasting financial damage.

A knowledgeable St. Charles divorce attorney can help you identify, value, and divide retirement assets according to Illinois law so that you can build a secure future post-divorce.

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 Posted on June 04, 2025 in Spousal Maintenance

When a relationship has lasted for years, it is not uncommon for partners to build financially intertwined lives – even without getting married. One person may stay home to raise children, while the other earns the household income. The couple may share a home, expenses, and long-term plans. But when the relationship ends and the couple was never married, the question becomes: what legal protections exist for the financially dependent partner?

In Illinois, spousal maintenance is designed to provide financial stability after a divorce, but it is strictly limited to legally married couples. This leaves many long-term, unmarried partners wondering whether they have any right to support if the relationship ends. If you find yourself in this situation, a Kane County family law attorney can help you assess your rights and explore available options.

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 Posted on May 30, 2025 in Child Support

Child custody arrangements are an essential factor in determining child support obligations. Many parents assume that if they share custody equally, neither parent will owe child support. However, that is not always the case. Illinois law takes into account both the time each parent spends with the child and each parent’s income when deciding support requirements.

Even with shared or "50/50" parenting time, one parent may still be required to make payments to make sure that the child's needs are met in both households. An experienced Yorkville family law attorney can help you understand your rights, calculate fair payment amounts, and prioritize your child's best interests.

What Does Shared Custody Mean in Illinois?

The legal term for custody in Illinois is "parenting time." Shared custody typically refers to both parents having significant time with their child, often close to or an exactly equal number of days. Under state law, shared parenting is specifically defined as each parent having the child for at least 146 overnights per year.

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 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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