Posted on July 11, 2025 in Spousal Maintenance

When a short marriage ends, many people are surprised to learn that spousal maintenance (commonly known as alimony) may still be on the table. Even in marriages that last only a few years, one spouse can request financial support from the other. This can create tension and confusion, especially when both parties assumed they would walk away without long-term obligations. 

If you are facing divorce after a brief marriage, it is important to understand how Illinois law treats maintenance and what your responsibilities may be. A Kane County spousal maintenance lawyer can guide you through your options and how they can impact your future.

What Is Spousal Maintenance?

Spousal maintenance is a financial payment that one spouse may be required to make to the other during or after a divorce. Its purpose is to help the receiving spouse keep a similar standard of living to what he or she had during the marriage, particularly if there is a significant difference in income or earning capacity.

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 Posted on July 03, 2025 in Divorce

When couples enter a marriage, it is not unusual for one spouse to give up a career or reduce his or her work hours to focus on supporting the household. This often entails staying home to raise children, managing daily responsibilities, or assisting the other spouse’s career growth. While these choices can strengthen a marriage, they may create financial hardships if the relationship ends in divorce.

If you gave up your career during your marriage and are now going through a divorce, you might be concerned about how that decision affects your financial rights. Fortunately, Illinois law recognizes the economic contributions of stay-at-home spouses and can provide relief through spousal maintenance and equitable property division. A St. Charles family law attorney can help ensure that your sacrifices are considered when determining a fair outcome.

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 Posted on June 24, 2025 in Child Custody

When a relationship ends, figuring out how to share time with your children can quickly become the most emotional and challenging part of the separation. Questions like "who will have the kids on school nights?" and "what about birthdays and holidays?" can turn into sources of stress and conflict without a clear plan in place. A well-structured custody schedule not only brings order to this uncertainty, but also helps protect the child’s emotional stability during this major transition.

In Illinois, creating a parenting time schedule is not just a practical task, but a legal one. An experienced Kendall County, IL family law attorney can help you understand your options, effectively negotiate with the other party, and develop a workable and legally sound schedule.

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 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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