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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 ...

Putting children in the middle of a messy divorce or custody battle is never the answer. What did they do to deserve this? What could they have done to help? Nothing. A child should never feel as though they are the problem in an adult's relationship. Jerry Davich bravely wrote about the custody...

Divorces happen more often than we would like to think, however, most people still learn about divorce from celebrities.  Well, Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston just announced that they split amicably at the end of 2017. It appears they are trying to work out their differences privately and po...

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...

Deciding to sell or buy a house when going through a divorce can be a challenge. An article recently shared on The Washington Post explains that in divorce, it is easy to become attached to assets, especially a home. However, that emotional attachment may not lead to the most financially responsi...

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...

How does a parent contemplating divorce or separation keep a child feeling loved, supported, and safe? This is a question often posed by clients and it was covered recently in an article published by The Washington Post, “Separating parents want what's best for their 2-year-old. What is that?” He...

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...

If you and your spouse mutually agree that it's time to divorce—and you feel you can easily reach a consensus about important issues—an uncontested divorce may be the right choice for you. It's fast, it avoids the courtroom, and it's much cheaper than a “traditional” divorce. THE CRITICAL ISSUES...

Some divorces are a huge surprise to both the couple and their families. Other can be seen coming from a long way off, well before the wedding. A recent Huffington Post article offered thoughts from counselors and divorce mediators on how to know whether you're really ready for marriage. Here a...

In many of my blogs, I discuss how mediation and collaboration are effective divorce planning alternatives compared to court-room litigation. While both are inexpensive compared to litigation, these are actually two very distinct processes, and it's important to learn about each one in order to ...

Divorce itself is difficult enough. Add animosity and lack of cooperation into the picture and the process becomes lengthy, expensive, and sometimes emotionally destructive. From a Huffington Post article by Conflict Resolution Specialist Elizabeth Esrey, here are some facts about high-conflict ...

Hiring the right lawyer can be a critical decision in any legal matter, but it can be invaluable in your divorce planning–especially if the process will include some type of family mediation or collaboration. In a recent article on Mediate.com, mediator Justin Kelsey outlines some effective ques...

If the cost of an attorney is keeping you from finalizing your Illinois divorce, Limited Scope representation could help you complete the process effectively without spending more than you would like or can afford. In short, you're hiring a lawyer to help you represent yourself. HOW DOES IT WOR...

Your first marriage ended in divorce, but you and your ex used divorce mediation to set up a workable parenting plan for your minor children. Now your second marriage is ending, and your current spouse wants you to rework that initial parenting plan in favor of your current family. The good news...

Summarized below are two recent court rulings involving spousal maintenance and child custody issues in two Illinois divorce cases. SPOUSAL MAINTENANCE – In re Marriage of Roberts After 37 years of marriage, a public school teacher filed for dissolution of marriage from her husband, a disabled ...

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...