If I get therapy is the Court going to hold it against me?
Divorce can feel like an emotional earthquake, shaking the foundation of your life. It’s normal to experience a whirlwind of emotions, including depression, anxiety, and grief. If you’re struggling to cope, you’re not alone. Depression: More Than Just Feeling Sad Depression during divorce goes beyond sadness and tears. It can manifest as lack of energy, […]
Slowing Down Your Divorce for Healing
When you decide to end a marriage, the natural instinct is to get it over with. Fast. You want relief. Closure. A signed judgment so you can start the next chapter. I’ve heard it hundreds of times: “I just want this done.” But after more than twenty years of helping people through divorce, I can […]
How to Cope When the Holidays are Different
The holidays are supposed to be joyful. That’s what we’re told—bright lights, cheerful music, togetherness, and gratitude. But when you’ve lost something—or someone—you love, the holidays can feel like a mirror held up to that absence. What once felt warm now feels sharp. The songs, the smells, the decorations—all reminders of what’s missing. I know […]
When Debt Outlasts Love
Most couples imagine splitting their assets when they divorce—house, savings, maybe retirement accounts. But what many don’t realize is that dividing debt can be even more complicated than dividing property. And those debts can outlast love because they can keep you financially tied for months or years. Credit cards, car loans, and mortgages don’t care […]
Why I Can’t Give Legal Advice for Free
Every week, I get calls or emails from people who just need “a quick question answered.” Most of them want Legal advice for free. Sometimes it’s about divorce, sometimes child support, or sometimes it’s a general, “Can you tell me what to do?” I understand the frustration. Lawyers can seem hard to reach, and it’s […]
When Your Income Changes
10 FAQs About Child Support and Maintenance in Illinois When Your Income Changes TL;DR: Child support and maintenance (spousal support) don’t change automatically when your income changes. If you lose a job, take a pay cut, or start earning more, you’ll likely need to file a motion with the court to modify the order. The […]
When Keeping a Child from the Other Parent Backfires
Divorce and parenting changes stir up strong emotions. You might feel angry, hurt, or protective. Sometimes you may even feel convinced that keeping your child close and away from the other parent is the safest or most loving choice. But one of the hardest lessons I’ve learned in more than 20 years of family law […]
You Are Not Alone
Sometimes, even when you’re doing everything “right,” life falls apart anyway. I know that you are not alone, but I also know you feel like you are. So, I want to share my story. In the course of 18 months, my life fell apart. Between the spring of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, I […]
Why Routines Matter When Everything Else Doesn’t
There’s comfort in the ordinary. In the ritual of pouring coffee at the same time every morning. In washing the breakfast dishes. In answering one email, or folding one towel, or feeding the cat. These small acts don’t fix the big things, but they quietly remind you that you’re still capable of care, of […]
Government Shutdown 2.0: How It Affects Divorce, Parenting Time, and Support Orders in Illinois
This is the second post in the governmental shutdown series. A federal government shutdown disrupts more than paychecks. It creates anxiety for families trying to keep their routines and financial obligations on track. For parents in Illinois, especially for those of us living near Scott Air Force Base, those in the middle of a divorce […]