Blog | [[title]] | Illinois Divorce Attorneys

How Will My Divorce Affect My Business?

2026-05-24 00:03:29

If you own a business and are heading toward a divorce in 2026, the financial stakes are different from a typical divorce. A business is not just an asset on a spreadsheet. It is your income, your daily work, and often decades of effort.

The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that there are more than 34 million small businesses in the United States, meaning millions of business owners will face this exact situation at some point. A Homewood, IL divorce attorney can explain how Illinois property division law applies to your business.

Is Your Business Marital Property Under Illinois Law?

Whether your business counts as marital property is the first issue that needs to be resolved. Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/503), marital property includes most assets either spouse acquired during the marriage. If you started or bought your business after the wedding, a court will almost certainly treat it as marital property. That is true even if your spouse has no ownership interest and is not named on any business documents.

Does the Amount of Parenting Time You Have Determine Child Support?

2026-05-12 00:02:04

When Illinois parents split up, two questions come up: how much time will I have with my children, and how much child support will I owe or receive? Those two questions are linked, but not in the way most people expect.

The Office of Child Support Services, part of the U.S. Administration for Children and Families, reported that the national child support program served 12.2 million children in fiscal year 2024, showing how many families depend on accurate child support orders. A Joliet, IL child support attorney can help you understand how Illinois child support law applies to your case in 2026.

How Does Illinois Calculate Child Support Using the Income Shares Model?

Illinois uses a method called the "Income Shares" model to set child support. It is laid out in 750 ILCS 5/505. Instead of looking at one parent's income alone, the court adds both parents' net incomes together. That combined figure is matched against a schedule published by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to find a basic child support amount. Each parent then pays a share of that amount based on their share of the combined income.

What Can You Do if Someone Violates Your Order of Protection in Illinois?

2026-04-23 00:00:00

Getting an order of protection is an important step toward safety. But what happens when the person named in that order ignores it? Many people are not sure what to do next, and that uncertainty can put them at greater risk. If your order has been violated in 2026, knowing your legal options can make a real difference. A Joliet, IL domestic violence attorney can help you take action quickly and protect yourself and your family.

What Counts as a Violation of an Order of Protection in Illinois?

Under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 (750 ILCS 60/), an order of protection is a binding court order. Breaking an order of protection can lead to criminal charges, civil penalties, or both. A violation happens when the person named in the order does anything the court told them not to do. Common examples include:

What Is the Difference Between Guardianship and Adoption in Illinois?

2026-04-09 00:00:00

When a child cannot live with their biological parents, other adults often step in to help. In Illinois, two legal options come up in these situations: guardianship and adoption. Many people use these words as if they mean the same thing, but they work very differently under the law. If you are trying to figure out which path is right for your family in 2026, a Joliet family law attorney can walk you through your options and help you make the choice that protects your child.

What Is Guardianship in Illinois?

Guardianship of a minor is a legal arrangement where a court gives a non-parent the right to care for a child. Under 755 ILCS 5/11-5, an Illinois court can appoint a guardian when the birth parents are not able or willing to care for their child. As a guardian, you can make decisions about the child's schooling, medical care, and daily life.

An Overview of Child Relocation Requests in Illinois

2026-03-22 00:25:00

If you share parenting time with your child’s other parent and one of you is thinking about moving, you may be facing one of the most difficult situations in family law. Relocation is when a parent moves with a child in a way that affects the other parent’s time.

A recent U.S. Census Bureau report found that the chance of a family moving nearly triples after a divorce. That means relocation disputes are far more common than many people expect, and being unprepared can put you at a serious disadvantage.

Illinois has specific rules about when this is allowed and how it must be handled. Failing to follow Illinois’ rules can cost you time with your child and hurt your standing with the court. In 2026, whether you want to move or want to stop the other parent from moving, an Orland Park, IL child custody attorney can help you understand your rights and your options before you take any action.

What Are the Options for Establishing Legal Paternity in Illinois?

2026-03-11 00:13:00

If you are an unmarried father in Illinois, you may be wondering how to become your child’s legal father. Until paternity is legally established, you have no enforceable right to custody, visitation, or any say in major decisions about your child’s life. That is true even if everyone knows you are the biological father.

Illinois law does not give unmarried fathers automatic parental rights. You have to take specific legal steps. In 2026, there are ways to do that, and knowing your options is the first step. A Joliet, IL, fathers' rights attorney can help you understand your options and protect your parental rights.

What Is a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity and How Does It Work?

The most common path for unmarried fathers is signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, called a VAP. Under the Illinois Parentage Act (750 ILCS 46/301), both parents sign this form to legally establish the man as the child’s father without going to court. This works best when both parents agree, and there is no dispute about who the father is.

Is My Prenuptial Agreement Valid in Illinois?

2026-02-09 00:19:21

Prenuptial agreements have become increasingly common. They can be a good tool for protecting your assets in the event of a divorce. Not all prenuptial agreements are enforceable in Illinois courts in 2026, though. An Orland Park family law attorney can review your prenuptial agreement and advise you on whether it will hold up in court.

What Makes a Prenuptial Agreement Valid in Illinois?

A valid prenup must meet specific legal requirements in the Illinois Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (750 ILCS 10):

Is the Right of First Refusal Required in an Illinois Parenting Plan?

2026-01-25 23:42:45

When parents split up or divorce, balancing child care responsibilities becomes more complicated. You may worry about not seeing your children as often as you did before or who will care for them when your co-parent is unavailable. In Illinois, one way to address these concerns is something called the "right of first refusal." If you are navigating co-parenting arrangements in 2026, our Joliet child custody lawyers can help you understand the right of first refusal and its results.

What Is the Right of First Refusal in Illinois?

The "right of first refusal" is a rule in parenting plans that basically says that if you can't watch your kids during your scheduled parenting time, you must ask the other parent if they want to take the kids before getting a babysitter or leaving them with someone else.

Taking the First Steps to Leave an Abusive Relationship

2026-01-12 00:59:25

Domestic violence affects people from all walks of life. It does not matter what someone looks like, where they come from, or how much money they have. Abuse can happen to anyone. According to the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in seven men experience domestic violence.

Abuse is not just about hurting someone physically, though. There are many different types of abuse. Knowing the warning signs can help you figure out if you or someone you care about is in a dangerous relationship.

If you are in an abusive relationship, our Orland Park family law attorneys can help you understand your options and take steps to protect yourself.

How Do I Stop Paying Alimony in Illinois?

2025-12-24 00:00:00

Many people who pay alimony, known as spousal maintenance in Illinois, reach a point where continued support no longer feels fair or workable. The good news is that Illinois law allows it to end in certain situations, but only when specific legal rules are met. If you are dealing with this issue, a Joliet, IL alimony lawyer can help you understand your options early and avoid costly mistakes. As of 2025, Illinois courts still require a clear legal basis or court order before spousal maintenance can end.

When Does Alimony Automatically End in Illinois?

Illinois law explains when spousal maintenance ends without the need for a new court hearing. These rules are part of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Under 750 ILCS 5/510(c), maintenance automatically ends if the receiving spouse remarries or if either spouse dies.