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Recent Blog Posts
Can Child Support Be Reduced if I Have Another Child in Illinois?
In Illinois, child support can sometimes be reduced if you have another child, but it does not happen automatically. You have to request a modification of the support order. Then, the court must decide if you have a good enough reason to be granted the change you are asking for. Judges look closely at each case before lowering payments. To ensure you have everything you need to get your request approved, talk to our Rolling Meadows, IL child support lawyer before you start the modification process.
How Does Illinois Court Calculate Child Support?
Under 750 ILCS 5/505, Illinois uses a system that adds up the income of both parents and then divides responsibility based on how much each parent earns. Courts will also look at your costs for things like health insurance, daycare, and how many children you support. For example, if you earn about 70 percent of the combined income and the other parent earns 30 percent, you will likely be expected to pay more. The idea is to make sure your child receives the same level of financial support they would have if you and the other parent lived together.
Can an Order for Property Division Be Changed After Divorce?
One of the main elements that needs to be addressed in any divorce is property division. It profoundly impacts your financial future, but the judge's final order is not always set in stone. In Illinois, the rules about changing a property division order are strict, but there are certain situations where you may be able to ask the court for a modification. Before you do, talk to an Arlington Heights, IL divorce lawyer to learn more about your rights and legal options.
Is Property Division Final in an Illinois Divorce?
Illinois law makes a clear distinction between property division and other parts of divorce, such as child support or spousal maintenance. Under 750 ILCS 5/503, the court must identify and divide all marital and non-marital property at the time of the divorce. Typically, once this order is entered, it is considered final and cannot be modified later.
Custody Issues for Blended Families in Illinois
When families come together after a divorce or separation, it can complicate child custody, known as parental responsibilities in Illinois. New spouses, stepchildren, and extended relatives may all play a role in a child’s life. While blended families can create loving and supportive environments, they can also raise questions about how custody arrangements work in Illinois. A Rolling Meadows, IL parental responsibilities lawyer can help you understand how the law applies to your unique family.
Do Custody Arrangements Change in Illinois When Families Blend?
Custody orders in Illinois are not automatically changed when a parent remarries or enters a blended family. Once a court order is in place, it remains valid until a judge modifies it. Under 750 ILCS 5/610.5, either parent can request a modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. For example, if a parent moves in with a new partner in another city, the existing parenting plan may need to be updated to account for travel, school enrollment, and daily routines. Keep in mind that courts will not modify custody arrangements simply because a parent remarries. Judges focus on whether the change truly impacts the child’s stability and well-being.
Do I Have To Split My Inheritance During Divorce if It Is in Our Shared Account?
Divorce often raises tough questions about what happens to money and property. If you placed your inheritance in a shared account, proving that it is separate property can be challenging. An experienced Arlington Heights, IL divorce attorney can help guide you through the legal process of determining whether your inheritance stays separate or becomes part of the marital estate.
What Does Illinois Law Say About Dividing Assets?
Illinois follows the rule of equitable distribution. This means that marital property is divided fairly between spouses, while considering several factors. That sometimes means that it is not divided equally. Under 750 ILCS 5/503, marital property generally includes assets acquired during the marriage, and non-marital property covers items like inheritances or gifts received by one spouse alone.
Can You Negotiate Alimony in Your Divorce?
Alimony – legally called "spousal maintenance" in Illinois – can play an important role in helping you remain financially stable after a divorce. Many people understandably wonder whether maintenance is something a judge always orders, or whether it can be negotiated between spouses.
The truth is that while Illinois law provides guidelines, there is often room for negotiation, especially when couples use mediation to resolve disputes.
As of August 2025, Illinois statute 750 ILCS 5/504 continues to govern spousal maintenance. This statute gives judges discretion in awarding alimony, but it also leaves space for couples to reach their own agreements. Understanding how alimony works and when you can negotiate it may improve your chances of securing a fair outcome, and our Rolling Meadows divorce lawyer is here to help.
How Can I Make the Case that Moving is Good for My Child?
Relocating with a child after a divorce or new parenting plan in Illinois is not as simple as packing boxes and renting a moving truck. Under Illinois law, a parent who wants to move a certain distance must either get the other parent’s agreement or obtain permission from the court. If your child primarily lives with you, you may be able to move, but only if you can show that the relocation is in your child’s best interests.
Attorney Cosley is a Rolling Meadows, IL child custody lawyer with more than 30 years of family law experience. He personally handles every aspect of his cases. When you call him, you will speak directly with your lawyer, not a paralegal or assistant.
What Counts as a Child Relocation in Illinois?
As of August 2025, Illinois child relocation laws remain governed by 750 ILCS 5/609.2 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA). In Illinois, a "relocation" is more than just moving across town. If you live in Cook County, Lake County, Kane County, DuPage County, or McHenry County, a move of more than 25 miles from your current home is considered a relocation. For counties outside this area, the threshold is 50 miles. Moves outside Illinois of more than 25 miles from your current home also qualify.
What Happens if I Find Out a Child Is Not Mine After a Divorce?
Finding out that a child you believed was yours is not biologically related to you is a tough emotional blow under any circumstances. But learning this after a divorce — when you may already be paying child support — can feel like a betrayal layered on top of injustice.
If you live in Illinois, and you are facing this kind of discovery, it is important to understand how the law treats parentage after divorce and whether you can change existing support obligations. A Rolling Meadows, IL family lawyer who takes an aggressive approach to pursuing client interests can help you understand what to do next.
Can I Stop Paying Child Support If the Child Is Not Mine?
Under Illinois law, you may still be legally considered the child’s father, even if you are not the biological parent. This is because the law treats parentage as a legal status, not just a biological fact.
What Happens if My Ex Moves Out of State Without Telling Me?
Few situations are more frightening than realizing your ex has left Illinois with your child and failed to tell you. Whether you share custody or have a parenting plan in place, your rights as a parent matter, and Illinois law has options to address this serious issue.
Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/609.2), a parent who wants to move a significant distance away with a child must tell the other parent and, in many cases, get permission from the court. This rule exists to protect both parents’ rights and ensure that children have healthy, consistent relationships with both sides of their family.
Dividing a House in a Divorce When Only One Spouse Owns It
In Illinois divorces, one of the most complicated and emotional issues involves dividing the family home, especially when the house is titled in only one spouse’s name. Many people assume that if their spouse owned the house before marriage, they have no claim to it. However, Illinois law does not always treat premarital property as completely untouchable.
Courts apply equitable distribution rules to the asset division process, meaning property is divided fairly based on the circumstances of the marriage. Whether you have a claim to the house often depends on your financial and non-financial contributions during the marriage. Our Arlington Heights, IL divorce attorney can discuss your case in greater detail in a free consultation.
When Is a House Considered Non-Marital Property?
Under 750 ILCS 5/503, property owned by one spouse before marriage is generally classified as non-marital property. This means that the spouse who owned the house keeps it after the divorce. For example, if a husband bought a home in Arlington Heights five years before marrying his wife, and she moved in after their wedding, the house would typically remain his separate property.
5 Tips for Handling Custody the First Summer After Your Divorce
The first summer after a divorce can be very difficult. Some families transition easily to two homes, but for others, getting used to a new custody schedule while trying to plan vacations, camps, and family time can be stressful and complicated. This is typically made more difficult when parents and kids are missing each other and struggling with the change. While the only way out is through, there are certain things you can do to make your first summer after your divorce easier. If you need help making a summer parenting plan during or after your divorce, call our Rolling Meadows, IL child custody lawyers.
Review Your Parenting Plan Way Ahead of Time
Illinois law requires divorcing parents to create a parenting plan that covers how time with the children will be handled, including school breaks and vacations. Before summer begins, carefully review this plan to make sure you understand how custody will work during these months. Parenting plans usually address how parents will divide summer vacation time, including any out-of-state travel or other long trips.
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