Monthly Archives: September 2026
Lost Your Job? Here’s What Happens to Spousal Maintenance in Chicago
A layoff or sudden drop in income is stressful under any circumstances, but for a divorced spouse who is paying or receiving spousal maintenance in Chicago, it raises an additional question: does the maintenance order automatically change? The short answer is no. Illinois law does not adjust maintenance on its own just because someone’s… Read More »
When Grandma and Grandpa Can’t See the Kids: Grandparent Visitation Rights in Chicago
Family relationships do not end when a marriage does, and for many children in Chicago, time with grandparents is one of the few steady comforts during a difficult transition. Yet after a divorce, a parent’s death, or a serious family rift, some grandparents find themselves suddenly shut out. Illinois law recognizes that this can… Read More »
Can Grandparents Get Visitation Rights in Chicago? Here’s When Illinois Law Allows It
Family relationships do not always stay simple, and sometimes a grandparent finds themselves cut off from a grandchild after a divorce, a parent’s death, or a falling out within the family. Many grandparents in Chicago assume they have no legal options in this situation. In fact, Illinois law does allow grandparents to petition for… Read More »
How Far Is Too Far? What Chicago Parents Need to Know Before Moving With a Child
For a parent who shares custody or parenting time in Chicago, a job offer in another state or even a move across town can raise a difficult legal question. Illinois law places specific limits on how far a parent can move with a child before court approval becomes necessary, and getting this wrong can… Read More »
Passport Ready, Custody Pending: What Happens When One Parent Wants to Take the Kids Overseas
A parent’s plans to move a child abroad after a Chicago divorce rarely arrive quietly. Maybe it is a job transfer, a return to a home country, or a new marriage overseas. Whatever the reason, Illinois law does not let a parent simply book the flight. If you share parenting time in Chicago and… Read More »
Two Moms, One Divorce, Zero Instructions: The Parentage Gaps Same-Sex Couples Discover Too Late
Opposite-sex couples going through divorce in Chicago rarely have to prove they are actually a parent to their own child. For many same-sex couples, that question can surface right in the middle of the case. Illinois has closed most of the old gaps in the law, but a few still catch people off guard,… Read More »
Your Pension Isn’t Just a Number, It’s a Negotiation. Here’s Where the QDRO Comes In
A house has a listed price. A car has a blue book value. A pension or 401(k) can feel like a moving target, built from years of statements and fine print that most people never read until a divorce forces the issue. Once a Chicago couple agrees on how to split a retirement account,… Read More »
My Spouse Vanished. Can I Still Get Divorced in Illinois?
Some Chicago spouses do not just grow apart, they disappear. A spouse moves out, stops answering calls, and leaves no forwarding address. For anyone hoping to move forward with a divorce, this can feel like a locked door with no key. The good news is that Illinois law anticipated this problem, and a missing… Read More »
Chicago Divorce Lawyer Explains Why Waiting for the “Perfect Time” to Divorce Often Creates Problems
Many Chicago spouses who are considering divorce spend months (or even years) waiting for what they believe will be the “perfect time” to move forward. They may wait until the holidays are over, until the children are older, until a work project is finished, or until they feel more emotionally prepared. While every Chicago… Read More »
Chicago Child Support Lawyer Answers Your Question: Can I Go to Jail if I Don’t Pay Child Support in Chicago?
Child support obligations are among the most important court-ordered responsibilities that many Chicago parents face after a divorce. Because child support is intended to help provide for a child’s needs, Chicago courts take child support orders seriously. As a result, many Chicago parents ask an important question: Can I go to jail if I… Read More »