Blog: Divorce
- Co-Parenting Communication Tools
Feb 23, 2026
We know that co-parenting can be challenging, especially when it comes to keeping communication clear, harmonious, effective, and organized. You will often hear lawyers and judges advising parties to treat co-parenting like a professional project, where the end goal is that you have raised healthy, well-adjusted children. You want professional communication, regular check-ins, clear documentation, collaborative decision-making on shared responsibilities, and conflict resolution when things go awry. We often rely on two resources for our...Read More - Splitting Retirement in Divorce
Feb 23, 2026
The division of assets in a divorce is often one of the most contested and emotional issues. Assets can range anywhere from bank accounts to real estate. The assets acquired during the marriage are considered marital property and subject to division between the parties, regardless of who holds a title or whose name is on an account, with a few exceptions. This is true, too, for any money put into a retirement account during the...Read More - Parenting Time Options for School Breaks
Feb 23, 2026
Will winter ever end!? This time of year, it always feels like winter will last forever. The cold weather and continuously dark days can make us forget that Spring is just around the corner! That also means that many children will soon be off of school for a week for Spring break. Any break in the normal school routine can impact parenting schedules for divorced parents. So if you are contemplating divorce, in the process...Read More - Celebrating the Holidays After Divorce
Feb 23, 2026
The holidays often bring a swirl of emotions, especially if you’re navigating them alone or without your children for the first time post-divorce. For some, this “solo” season may feel heavy with sadness or loneliness, while for others, it might bring an unexpected sense of freedom, joy, and relief. Every feeling—no matter where it falls on that spectrum—is completely valid. What’s likely true for everyone in this new chapter is that the holidays will look...Read More - Planning Your Holiday Parenting Schedule
Feb 23, 2026
The holidays are always a special time of the year, but they can also be tough on divorced or separated families. In a divorce or parentage proceeding, it is important to establish both a regular and holiday parenting time schedule. Here in Illinois, the holiday parenting time schedule typically takes precedence over the regular parenting time schedule. This means that if a holiday occurs during what is normally your regular parenting time day, whoever that...Read More - What Does It Mean to Bifurcate a Divorce?
Feb 23, 2026
From start to finish, a divorce can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to several years. That’s because the traditional divorce route includes: Filing and serving a petition for dissolution of marriage Collecting and reviewing relevant financial information Hearings on temporary financial matters and parenting issues while discovery is being conducted and terms of the divorce are being negotiated and/or mediated Pretrial conference with the judge Trial preparation Trial or settlement In some rare...Read More - 5 Tips For a Stay-at-Home Parent Getting a Divorce
Feb 23, 2026
It is no secret that divorce can be a stressful and exhausting experience. As a stay-at-home parent, the thought of going through divorce may seem even more daunting. Many stay-at-home parents have given up their own careers to help further their spouse’s career growth while providing childcare and support for their children. After years of making personal sacrifices to care for your family, you might be thinking, “What am I supposed to do now?” Fortunately,...Read More - Dealing with a High-Conflict Divorce? Tips for Navigating Stormy Waters
Feb 23, 2026
Divorce is rarely without conflict, so what exactly constitutes a “high-conflict divorce?” High-conflict divorce is typically defined as intense and ongoing hostility between the parties involved. Communication breaks down, emotions run high, and every decision becomes a battleground. Common triggers for high-conflict divorces include infidelity, financial issues, and disagreements over child custody. The conflict may be caused by one party or both parties may be equally contributing to a high-conflict environment. High-conflict divorces are emotionally...Read More - Back-to-School Challenges for Divorced Parents: How to Navigate the New School Year
Feb 23, 2026
The start of a new school year can be exciting for kids, but for divorced or separated parents, it often comes with its own set of challenges. Even parents who have successfully navigated previous years can find themselves running into familiar—or new—obstacles. Here are some of the most common issues co-parents face, along with practical strategies for handling them. 1. Confusion Around Schedules New school years mean new routines: different start times, after-school programs, bus...Read More - Illinois Divorce Law Update: Maintenance Payments Now Required During Incarceration
Feb 23, 2026
A significant update to Illinois divorce law now clarifies that maintenance payments must continue even if the paying spouse is incarcerated. This change, effective January 2025, alters the previous expectation that maintenance could be paused automatically during imprisonment. What Changed? Under the new law, alimony no longer pauses automatically when the paying spouse is incarcerated. Instead: Payments continue to accrue while the individual is in prison. Any unpaid amounts become arrears, which can be collected after...Read More