Estimated Costs for a Child Custody Case in DuPage County

Posted by Erin Birt | May 21, 2019 | 0 Comments

If you are contemplating divorcing or asking for child support, you are likely thinking about the cost to hire a child support attorney, whether custody mediation is worth it, and how much are the estimated costs for a child custody case in DuPage County? There are many similar questions, and in ...

Parental Alienation from a Child’s Perspective in Illinois

Posted by Erin Birt | Apr 15, 2019 | 0 Comments

Recently the DuPage County Bar Association's Family Law Committee focused on Parental Alienation from a Child's Perspective in Illinois which we will highlight in this post. In a previous post, I focused on the Illinois case law that further explains Parental Alienation and in this post I will hi...

What Property Should You Seek in Your Illinois Divorce?

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 18, 2019 | 0 Comments

In Illinois, divorcing couples need to prepare emotionally and financially for both the divorce process and life after divorce. When preparing emotionally, you may speak with a friend, family member, or trusted counselor.  When preparing financially, your friend or family member might not be able...

Hidden Assets During Your Illinois Divorce?

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 12, 2019 | 0 Comments

We have previously discussed how courts look at assets and how different methods of divorce disclose and find assets.  Do you know, however, that most couples don't even know what assets make up their total marital estate? So if you don't know what assets make up your marital estate, how do you k...

What to Expect at a DuPage County Divorce Pretrial Conference

Posted by Erin Birt | Mar 03, 2019 | 0 Comments

A contested DuPage County Divorce can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years or more in the court system.  In an earlier post, I highlighted Tips for Your Final Divorce Hearing, but what if you need help getting to your final divorce hearing?  By hiring DuPage County Divorce Attorney Erin Birt yo...

Tips For Your Final Divorce Hearing

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 12, 2019 | 0 Comments

Your divorce planning is done and your final divorce hearing, or Prove Up Hearing, has arrived.  This is when the divorcing parties formally request that the judge approve the terms of their settlement, enter a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage, and finalize the case. Below are some tips for y...

Facts and Benefits of Collaborative Divorce

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 06, 2019 | 0 Comments

There's been little or no fighting. You're on relatively good terms with each other. You actually even like each other. It's just that you don't love each other any longer and divorce is the inevitable outcome. In situations like this–and even ones with more emotion–collaborative divorce planning...

Parental Alienation – Case Law Update

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 05, 2019 | 0 Comments

In Illinois, parental alienation is the programming of a child by the alienating parent to believe that one parent is good and the other parent is bad with the goal that the child completely rejects the other parent. In 2012, I discussed the Illinois custody case, In re the Marriage of D.T.W., w...

Getting a Divorce in Illinois in 2019?

Posted by Erin Birt | Jan 31, 2019 | 0 Comments

Are you considering getting a divorce in Illinois in 2019? The first month of 2019 is already over, Happy New Year! 2019 is off to a fast start so today I will provide easy tips to help you finish your Illinois divorce in 2019. In my previous post, When to Get a Divorce, I discussed divorce timin...

Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos to Divorce

Posted by Erin Birt | Jan 09, 2019 | 0 Comments

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife, Mackenzie Bezos, have announced that they will divorce after 25 years of marriage.  They made the announcement on January 9, 2019, however, they revealed that their family and friends have known for some time that they planned to divorce.  Reportedly the ri...

Mental Health Questions to Ask Your Illinois Divorce Attorney

Posted by Erin Birt | Nov 20, 2018 | 0 Comments

Serious mental illnesses such as depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia impact over half a million adult Illinois residents.  The need to address serious mental illnesses during a divorce is becoming more common and it is important to use an attorney that has experience and ex...

Mental Health and Divorce in Illinois

Posted by Erin Birt | Oct 23, 2018 | 0 Comments

Major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and serious psychological distress can increase the risk of divorce in Illinois. It is important for the person to receive the appropriate treatment and it is just as important that they have ongoing treatment and support during the divo...

Can you Turn your Break-Up Into a Positive Experience?

Posted by Erin Birt | Sep 12, 2018 | 0 Comments

If you're playing sad love songs on repeat, eating pints of ice cream in one sitting, and sobbing on your bedroom floor, it sounds like you may have recently gone through a break-up. As Peter Gamlen stated in this article, you do not have to remain down, you can turn your most recent split into ...

New Illinois Pet Custody Law 2018

Posted by Erin Birt | Jan 02, 2018 | 0 Comments

There is a new Illinois Pet Custody Law.  Starting January 1, 2018, Illinois Judges can consider the well-being of a pet when awarding sole or joint ownership during a divorce.  Previously, pets were considered property.  The pet, as well as the financial responsibility for the pet, was simply al...

Discussing Financial Issues: More Than Dollars and Cents

Posted by Erin Birt | Nov 20, 2017 | 0 Comments

Finances can be the source of many problems in a relationship. It is not merely the nuts and bolts of whether you will have joint accounts or maintain separate accounts, or who is responsible for paying which bills. Having mutually agreed to goals and processes for saving and spending money can b...

A Two-Day Divorce in Illinois?

Posted by Erin Birt | Jun 19, 2017 | 0 Comments

The traditional Illinois divorce process can last years. If you are contemplating divorce and do not want to wait several months or years, a Flat Fee Two Day Divorce plan can assist you in minimizing your time spent with an attorney and in the stressful divorce process. HOW DOES A TWO DAY DIVORC...

Do You Need A More Private Divorce?

Posted by Erin Birt | Feb 13, 2017 | 0 Comments

Our new 2017 website was created to enhance client options for a more private divorce. Check out below how our firm makes your privacy a priority. VIEW WEBSITE ANYWHERE Our new website is now compatible with any device: smart phone, tablet, laptop, computer. You can view our site privately and ...

Why Fighting Can Actually Be Productive In Divorce Mediation

Posted by Erin Birt | Aug 25, 2016 | 0 Comments

For many people, divorce mediation can be helpful at opening up channels of communication between parties to air their individual thoughts, desires, and expectations. It can also provide the opportunity for either party to air specific feelings of sadness about the divorce, fears about the futur...

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Family Centered Divorce ∙ Mediation ∙ Co-Parenting

Birt Family Law is the family centered law and mediation practice with a focus on restorative divorce; offering creative and supportive legal and mediation solutions with one goal: keeping the separating family out of court and working together towards a peaceful resolution.

We offer multiple options to achieve this goal including mediation, coaching, co-parenting strategies, and restorative divorce services. 

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Birt Family Law is committed to keeping the separating family out of court and working together towards a peaceful resolution.

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