Family Law

Grandparents can play an important role in a child’s life. They may provide emotional support, family stability, childcare help, cultural connection, financial assistance, and a sense of continuity during difficult family changes. But in Illinois, grandparents do not automatically have court-ordered visitation rights simply because they love the child or previously spent time with the

Child support orders in Illinois are not always permanent. Payments may increase or decrease when circumstances change, such as a change in income, job loss, disability, family size change, parenting time shift, or incarceration. However, child support does not automatically change just because life changes. The existing order usually remains in effect until the court

Unmarried parents in Illinois can have the same important rights and responsibilities as married parents, but the legal process may look different. Before a court can decide parenting time, decision-making responsibilities, or child support, parentage usually needs to be legally established. Parentage is the legal parent-child relationship. Once parentage is established, both parents may have

Parenting schedules do not always work forever. A schedule that made sense when a child was younger may become difficult once school, work, transportation, extracurricular activities, relocation, medical needs, or family circumstances change. In Illinois, parents may ask the court to modify parenting time when the legal requirements are satisfied and the proposed change serves

Dividing property during divorce is one of the biggest financial issues spouses face. The court does not simply look at whose name appears on a title, bank account, mortgage, or credit card. Instead, Illinois courts review when the asset or debt was acquired, how it was used during the marriage, and whether it belongs to

Relocation cases are some of the most stressful custody disputes because they affect parenting time, school, travel, family relationships, and the child’s daily routine. A move may make sense for work, family support, remarriage, housing, or safety. But when the move changes the other parent’s access to the child, Illinois law requires specific steps. Understanding

Quick Answer Spousal maintenance in Illinois is not automatic. A court first decides whether support is appropriate by reviewing each spouse’s income, property, financial needs, earning ability, marriage length, health, and standard of living. When the statutory guidelines apply, maintenance is generally calculated using 33.3 percent of the paying spouse’s net income minus 25 percent

Not every divorce or family law matter proceeds through negotiation and settles with both parties reasonably satisfied. Some cases involve deeply entrenched positions, significant power imbalances, allegations of misconduct, or dynamics that make productive direct communication between the parties effectively impossible. These are high-conflict disputes, and they require a fundamentally different approach than the cooperative

Quick Answer Do you need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce in Illinois? Illinois does not generally require spouses to hire lawyers for an uncontested divorce. However, both spouses still must resolve the issues necessary for the court to enter a final judgment, which may include property and debt division, maintenance, child support, parenting time,

Quick Answer How do Illinois courts decide child custody? Illinois courts decide parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities according to the child’s best interests. Judges consider factors such as each parent’s caregiving history, the child’s needs and adjustment to home and school, safety, the parents’ ability to cooperate, the child’s relationship with each parent, schedules