If you’ve ever watched a dramatic TV show about divorce, you’ve likely seen the wronged spouse triumphantly reveals their partner’s scandalous adultery in court. Dramatic? Sure. But is that how divorce works in real life? Not in Illinois, and that’s a good thing. Why Adultery Doesn’t Equal Divorce Win In the past, adultery was […]
Hollywood loves a dramatic courtroom battle, but divorce trials rarely match the on-screen intensity. If you’re facing divorce in Illinois, here’s what you need to know about the less-than-glamorous reality of divorce trials. What Happens in a Divorce Trial No Juries, High Tension Forget the jury – in Illinois, your divorce case will be decided […]
Imagine this: someone gets married, quickly files for divorce without their spouse’s knowledge, and a judge signs off on it, leaving the other person in the dark. Sounds unfair, right? It is – and it’s not how the legal system works. Why Every Divorce Involves Both Spouses Each party in a divorce deserves a voice. […]
Annulment in Illinois: Is It the Right Option for You? Unlike a divorce ending an existing marriage, an annulment in Illinois erases the marriage as if it never happened. Illinois law is strict. There are only four specific reasons for an annulment: Lack of Capacity to Marry: This means one spouse was mentally unable to understand […]
Simple Divorce: The DIY Trap vs. Hiring a Lawyer Sure, there are DIY divorce forms out there, even free ones. But here’s the (many) catches: You become the expert: You’ll need to master e-filing systems, figure out fixes if the clerk rejects your paperwork, and handle serving your ex. Plus, you’re now responsible for navigating complex […]
Why Lawyers Don’t Give Free Advice You’ve probably encountered a lawyer who wouldn’t offer free legal advice, leaving you frustrated. “It depends” or “I can’t answer without you being a client” might sound like we’re just dodging questions to squeeze money from you. But the reasons I avoid free advice are much deeper than that. […]
Knowing your marriage is over is just the beginning. Starting the divorce process can feel daunting, but taking proactive steps now can set the stage for a smoother, less stressful experience. I am asked routinely by people on how to begin untangling their marriage. Here is my list of ten additional starting points to help […]
If you’re considering divorce, you might be hesitant to open up about the details. Rest assured, after nearly two decades and countless clients, I’ve pretty much heard it all. Like most, attorneys, I am too jaded to be judgy. Your Secrets Are Safe with Me From every corner of the Metro East, I help people […]
We all have tasks we’d rather leave to the professionals. Maybe you don’t change your own oil, re-roof your house, or attempt a DIY haircut (especially after that quarantine disaster). You might know how to do those things, but you recognize the risks of getting it wrong. So, why would you take a DIY approach […]
