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Recent Blog Posts
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.
Do I Need Approval To Take My Child on Vacation in Illinois?
If you share custody of your child, planning a vacation is not always simple. Under Illinois law, there are specific rules about when you can travel with your child and what permissions are required. A Rolling Meadows, IL parental responsibilities lawyer can help ensure you stay in compliance with the law and your parenting agreement to avoid legal issues.
When Can I Travel With My Child?
In general, you are permitted to take your child on vacation during your assigned parenting time unless the parenting plan says otherwise. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act governs the allocation of parenting time and the ability to make day-to-day decisions about your children under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, and most parental agreements address vacations, restricting them to your scheduled parenting time. However, problems can arise when:
Handling Social Media During a Divorce in Illinois
Navigating divorce while you are still actively posting on social media can be tricky. A seemingly innocent photo or status update can quickly turn into evidence. Staying acutely aware of your digital footprint is becoming increasingly important during the divorce process, and a Rolling Meadows, IL divorce attorney can help you manage your social media presence to protect your interests. No one wants unnecessary conflict in an already high-stress situation.
Why Does Social Media Matter During the Divorce Process?
During a litigated divorce, the court allows both parties to bring evidence in support of their claims. This means that discoverable information relevant to your relationship and divorce proceedings can be used, including all your activity on social media. Direct messages, images, posts, and location stamps can be used to support claims regarding your spending habits, mental state, and parenting style. For example, if you are in the middle of a dispute over spousal maintenance, but you post photos of yourself on vacation, that could raise questions about how transparent you have been with your finances.
How Does a Prenuptial Agreement Impact an Illinois High-Asset Divorce?
Disputes are not uncommon for Illinois couples in high-asset divorces. You may argue over the characterization of marital property and how that property will be divided. However, if you have a solid prenuptial agreement in place, it should address many issues and help simplify the complex property division process.
If you are a high-net-worth individual who is about to be married or is on the verge of divorce, talk to an experienced Rolling Meadows, IL prenuptial agreement attorney about the details of your situation to learn more about the legal options available to protect your property.
Characteristics of a High-Asset Divorce in Illinois
A high-asset divorce usually involves a complicated property division process due to the presence of accumulated wealth. Marital and separate assets may include multiple real estate properties, investment portfolios, businesses, luxury vehicles, and high salaries with performance bonuses. When both parties have substantial income and have been married for a significant amount of time, they often have a complex marital estate. Because of Illinois’s laws governing the distribution of marital property, the potential for losing a significant amount of the estate in a divorce is high.
Common Mistakes When Dividing Debt in an Illinois Divorce
A key element of any divorce is drafting the terms of distribution of property, and part of that is the division of marital debt. While no definitive method for navigating the divorce process is perfect, there are key mistakes that you can avoid when dividing debt, and an experienced Rolling Meadows, IL debt division attorney can help you avoid these mistakes and make decisions that will benefit you in the short and long term. Consider some issues that may arise in your divorce and how you can handle them.
Not Accounting for All Debts in an Illinois Divorce
Part of the property division process is the full disclosure of assets and liabilities. A common issue is failing to account for every debt that could be characterized as marital property. To avoid this issue, carefully consider all debts, including but not limited to the following;
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