Posted on May 08, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce can seem like a huge undertaking. Some delay the process, fearing it will become a prolonged, bitter fight. However, not all divorces are created equal, and you have options, including mediation, that can smooth the bumpy road and make the process less intimidating for both parties. When you need the court to intervene, you can still have an experienced Arlington Heights, IL divorce attorney on your side to walk you through the legal process and protect your rights.

What Is Divorce Mediation in Illinois?

Under Illinois law, mediation refers to a meeting outside the courtroom where a professional, often an attorney, acts as the mediator between both parties. The mediator's job is to keep the conversation on track toward an agreement about the divisions that must be made during a divorce. Often, the mediator will make helpful suggestions and offer legal routes to compromise that make the process swift and straightforward. Mediation is effective when both parties create a divorce decree and feel their rights were protected and they were not required to overly compromise on important issues.

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 Posted on April 28, 2025 in Family Law

Life does not always stay the same after a divorce or parenting agreement is finalized. One common change many parents experience is a shift in their work schedule. Whether you are starting a new job, picking up more hours, or moving to a different shift, you might wonder how this affects your parenting time. Illinois allows you to request a modification to your parenting plan if your new work schedule makes it hard to follow the current arrangement. If you are wondering how parenting plans can adapt, a knowledgeable Illinois family law attorney has answers and can explain your options.

What Is Included In an Illinois Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a legal agreement outlining how parents are expected to divide time with the child and share responsibilities. It includes where the child lives, how holidays are spent, and who makes major decisions that impact the child. Once this plan is approved by the court, both parents are expected to follow it. But life changes, and sometimes the plan needs to change too.

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 Posted on April 18, 2025 in Family Law

When a parent wants to relocate with their child after a divorce, there can be several questions and concerns. In Illinois, parents cannot simply move out of state or even to another city without going through the proper legal steps, especially when there is a court-ordered custody arrangement in place. Understanding how parental relocation works under Illinois law is crucial for ensuring that your rights—and your child’s best interests—are protected. To learn more, speak with a qualified Arlington Heights, IL family law attorney.

What Is the Legal Process for Parental Relocation?

In Illinois, parental relocation is governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, which outlines specific rules for when and how a parent can move with their child after a divorce. If a custodial parent wants to move more than 25 miles from their current residence within the state, or if they want to move out of state, they must seek approval from the court.

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 Posted on April 04, 2025 in Child Custody

When parents get divorced, legally separated, or were never married to begin with, they have a custody agreement that outlines each of their responsibilities and rights regarding their child. When one parent refuses to uphold the terms of the agreement, it can create significant stress and conflict. Fortunately, custody agreements are legally binding, so if your ex refuses to abide by yours, a qualified Illinois family law attorney can explain your rights and how you might proceed. 

How Can I Address a Violation of My Custody Agreement?

If your child’s other parent is ignoring the terms of your custody order, consider taking the following steps to address the issue:

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 Posted on March 25, 2025 in Family Law

If you receive child support and recently learned that your ex got a promotion or substantial raise, you are probably wondering whether this change in income could lead to an increase in the child support payments you receive. In Illinois, child support orders can be modified under certain circumstances, and a significant increase in the paying parent's income may justify such a change. 

However, you cannot simply demand more money because the payments are not automatically changed and there is no guarantee you will be granted a modification. To understand how a job change might impact your family finances, speak with a qualified Illinois family law attorney who can discuss your situation and answer your questions.

Can Child Support Orders be Modified?

Illinois courts follow clear guidelines for modifying child support orders. To request a modification, the parent seeking the change must demonstrate a "substantial change in circumstances." While this can include job loss or changes in the child's needs, it may also apply if the parent paying support experiences a significant increase in income.

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 Posted on March 20, 2025 in Family Law

After a divorce, people often want a fresh start. Even if a wife keeps her own maiden name when she gets married, children are often given their father’s last name at birth. If, as part of these wishes for a fresh start, the mother wants to change her child’s last name to her own, she might have to go through a complicated legal process to make that happen. 

There are legal requirements, factors that courts consider, and steps involved that can improve your chances of a successful petition. To learn more, speak with a qualified Illinois divorce lawyer who can explain what is involved and how you may want to proceed.

Are There Legal Grounds for Changing a Child’s Last Name?

In Illinois, a parent can petition the court to change a child’s last name for various reasons, including:

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 Posted on March 12, 2025 in Family Law

Illinois recognizes the important role that grandparents can play in their grandchildren's lives. However, when something like divorce, estrangement, or the death of a parent happens, grandparents might notice they are prevented from seeing their grandchildren. Illinois law does provide ways for grandparents to petition for visitation rights, but only under specific circumstances. A qualified Illinois family law attorney can explain the legal process so you understand how to navigate this challenging situation.

When Can Grandparents Seek Visitation Rights?

Grandparents in Illinois cannot automatically demand visitation rights. Instead, they must demonstrate why certain conditions make visitation necessary. Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, grandparents can petition the court for visitation under one of the following conditions:

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 Posted on February 25, 2025 in Family Law

Babies can be born in so many ways in 2025. Thanks to science and medicine, if people are unable to conceive naturally, they have a variety of options available. One of those options is using a sperm donor to help a woman get pregnant. However, if you are considering doing so to start a family, you might be wondering whether the donor could have any legal rights to your child. While the law is clear in many cases, there are some important factors to consider. To learn more, speak with a qualified Illinois family law attorney.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Sperm Donor Rights?

According to the Illinois Parentage Act, sperm donors typically have no legal claim to parental rights to a child born from their donation. The law lists specific situations in which this is the case. For example, if the sperm donation was made through a licensed medical professional entity, such as a fertility clinic, and the donor signed an agreement waiving any parental rights, the donor will not be considered a legal parent. Therefore, the sperm donor will not have any parental responsibilities or visitation rights.

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 Posted on February 19, 2025 in Divorce

It is a big deal to decide that you are ready for a divorce. If you have made that decision and even spoke to your husband about it but he ends up in jail, it can feel like any possible progress is grinding to a halt. The truth is that although getting a divorce while he is incarcerated might include some challenges and extra steps along the way, it is certainly possible. A knowledgeable Illinois divorce lawyer can help you understand more about your options and what you can expect.

How Do You Divorce an Incarcerated Spouse?

The divorce process includes the same steps regardless of whether your spouse is in jail when you are ready to begin. 

Step 1: File a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage

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 Posted on February 11, 2025 in Divorce

For some people, just the thought of the financial implications of a divorce is enough to make them settle for staying unhappily married. The idea of needing to divide all your joint assets and debts, in addition to making regular payments for child support and alimony, can seem overwhelming. But like any other area of life, knowledge is power, and understanding how you can have a say in these payments can help you feel more in control.

In fact, even payments that you are ordered by the court to make can be modified under certain circumstances, so an alimony order is not a life sentence. A qualified Illinois divorce lawyer can explain how alimony is calculated and when you might be able to seek modification. 

When Can Alimony Be Modified or Terminated?

In Illinois, alimony is officially called spousal maintenance. It is meant to provide financial support to a former spouse who is unable to cover their expenses and not yet financially independent. However, there are also certain circumstances under which these payments can be modified or terminated.

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