Family Law Articles
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Is Collaborative Divorce Right for Me in Illinois?
Collaborative divorce sounds appealing on paper. You stay out of court, you keep things private, and you share the decision-making with your spouse. But the process only works when both people show up honestly, and not every marriage ends with that kind of cooperation. Entering a collaborative divorce that does not fit your situation wastes…
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Income Disparity and Child Support in Illinois
In Illinois, significant income disparity between parents is addressed through the Income Shares Model. Under the statute 750 ILCS 5/505, the court combines both parents’ net incomes to establish a total child support obligation. This amount is then prorated, meaning each parent is responsible for a percentage of the total based on their individual contribution…
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How Is Child Custody Determined in Illinois?
In Illinois, what was once called child custody is now referred to as the allocation of parental responsibilities, and it is determined strictly by the best interests of the child standard. Essentially, a judge evaluates a specific set of statutory factors regarding the child’s physical, mental, and emotional needs. The court does not enter the…
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How Do I Adjust Time Sharing to Accommodate New Circumstances?
In Illinois, modifying a parenting time schedule generally requires filing a petition with the court to demonstrate that a substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the last order was entered. Under 750 ILCS 5/610.5, the court’s primary focus is whether the modification serves the best interests of the child, not just the convenience of…
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How to Make Divorce or Custody Battles Easier on Your Kids
The most effective way to reduce the stress on your children during a separation is to legally and emotionally uncouple the marital conflict from your parental responsibilities. In Illinois, this is achieved by using the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities framework to create a detailed, conflict-proof Parenting Plan. Divorce is a complete restructuring of a child’s…