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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...

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...

More millennials and divorced people are deciding to live with their boyfriend or girlfriend in lieu of marriage. For some, marriage is not desired; for others, marriage might only be considered after a period of cohabitation. Either way, moving in with your significant other creates both persona...

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 ...

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...

Good lawyers commit themselves to helping their clients in every possible way. While there's great satisfaction in this, there can also be a fair amount of stress that comes along with it. Add any personal issues into the mix, and the pressure can lead to unhealthy coping responses. If you are o...

Illinois couples with children who are planning a divorce now or in the near future should note that Illinois divorce laws will change on January 1, 2016. The new Illinois Divorce Act will likely have a significant impact on how your divorce is ultimately resolved. Learn in this post how the new ...

The Illinois General Assembly has passed a major update to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA). If signed by the Governor, the new IMDMA will offer many positive changes for divorcing couples in Illinois. Here is an outline of proposed changes to the Illinois Marriage a...

Here are summaries of two recent family law cases from the Appellate Court of Illinois. PAYMENT OF OVERDUE CHILD SUPPORT – In re Marriage of Rocha When this couple divorced in 1998, the husband was ordered to pay child support of $150 per week. In 2001, three years after the initial “Judgment...

While the law firm often focuses on divorce and family matters, it also provides services relating to reinstating driving privileges. In Illinois, a DUI offense–driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs–can result in a restricted driving permit or revocation of your driver's license. In som...

For lawyers and non-lawyers alike who live in DuPage County, Illinois, the DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) is a valuable resource offering educational seminars, community service programs and even social functions to bring people together. HISTORY AND MISSION STATEMENT The DCBA was charter...

If your Illinois divorce includes child visitation or custody arrangements, you may be assigned a Guardian Ad Litem, often referred to as a GAL. This post will help in understanding the role of a GAL in DuPage County, Illinois. In Family Court, the role of this specially trained, court-appointed...

For some of us, the end of the year is the time to leave painful memories behind and focus on new beginnings in the coming twelve months. This is particularly true if you've experienced a separation or divorce–even if it was amicable.  In my blogs and posts this year I've shared advice and tips o...

Illinois couples creating a postnuptial–similar to a prenuptial or premarital–agreement should carefully develop this document to ensure it will be valid and enforceable in the event of a divorce. As noted in the recent case In re Marriage of Iqbal and Khan, it's important that the document does...

Illinois couples dealing with adultery should know that it is not used in an Illinois divorce court except in very specific circumstances. In other words, it's often not relevant unless there are children involved or funds are being used to support the affair. This post will focus on Is Adultery ...

Illinois has enacted progressive adoption laws that protect the rights of birth parents (as well as adoptive parents) throughout the adoption process. This post will focus on Rights of Birth Parents In Illinois Adoptions. The document Birth Parents' Rights and Responsibilities in Illinois define...

Divorce is a decision that comes with its own set of challenges, not the least of which is how to pay for the services of a divorce attorney. Thankfully, there are legal firms in DuPage County–such as The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, PC–that offer flat fee options for family law services to help mak...

From online law companies to firms like the Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, PC, there are many ways to get legal services in DuPage County and Illinois as a whole. However, it can sometimes be difficult to know which option will provide the best results for your particular situation. Here are some impo...

Ask many divorced people about their experience of the process, and you'll likely hear that it was just too much–too much aggravation, too much time, too much money. Even uncontested divorce, where both parties have reached an agreement before going to court, can be time-consuming, expensive and ...

Beginning January 1, 2015, significant changes will take effect in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. For divorcing couples in Illinois, 2015 will bring standardized rules for determining the amount and length of court-ordered financial support payments (aka spousal maintenanc...

At some point, everyone needs the assistance of an experienced legal professional. This is especially true for couples experiencing separation or divorce and their attendant issues of child custody, property division and support payments. In these situations, it can be great to have a DuPage Cou...

The November issue of the DCBA Brief is out. DuPage County Family Law Attorneys Erin Birt and Elizabeth Chacko co-authored the articleThe Changing Role of the Tender Years Doctrine: Gender Bias, Parenthood, and Illinois Law” in this months DCBA Brief.  Click here to read the article on page 26. ...

During 2013 – 2014, Erin Birt will serve as the Vice -Chair of the DuPage County Bar Association's Child Advocacy Committee.  The committee will organize and present on various topics such as child custody evaluations, juvenile criminal matters, juvenile probation matters, contested adoption matt...

On May 6, 2013, Wheaton Atorney Erin Birt was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the College of DuPage.  One of Ms. Birt's first events as the Chairman was to attend and address the graduates at the 46th Commencement for the College of DuPage. At the 46th Commencement, Chairman Birt s...