Chair Column: Midyear UpdateBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, December 2025A note from the chair of the Family Law Section Council.
Countries Which Have Not Signed the Hague Convention—To Travel or Not? A Balancing ActBy Jessica MarshallFamily Law, December 2025Family law practitioners should familiarize themselves with the Hague Convention because travel to countries that are not signatories to the Hague Convention or that are not in good standing is inherently risky for a minor child, and understanding what the court looks at when making such a determination is important for all practitioners to know when these issues arise.
Join Us at the ISBA & IJA Midyear Meeting—a Taste of What’s AheadBy Ted M. NiemannFamily Law, December 2025The Joint Midyear Meeting, hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association, is a can't-miss event, offering CLE programs on democracy preservation and the ethical use of AI; a Member Appreciation Reception featuring Glow Bingo and prizes; the Illinois Bar Foundation for the Champions Breakfast; the IJA/ISBA Joint Midyear Meeting Luncheon; and a Holiday Reception honoring the Supreme Court of Illinois. Register today!
Part II—Pet Peeves and Practice Tips: Views From the Bench and BarBy Hon. Jeanne M. ReynoldsFamily Law, December 2025This two-part series explores the "pet peeves" of family law practitioners and judges. Part II: Views from the bar highlights the "pet peeves" and "best practices" as told by various attorneys practicing family law.
Reynolds v. Reynolds: Recalibrating the Standard for Modifying Parenting Time in IllinoisBy Michael J. LevyFamily Law, December 2025The Second District Appellate Court recently ruled that a "substantial" change in circumstances is not required for parenting time modification, but rather the "changed circumstances" standard as set forth in section 610.5(a) of the IMDMA is applicable.
What Is Mediation and ADR: History, Models, and PrinciplesBy Sandra Crawford, J.D.Federal Taxation, December 2025An overview on the origins of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, different models of mediation, and the core principles of mediating disputes.
Chair ColumnBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, November 2025Spooky isn't just for Halloween! Learn more about what family law practitioners say is "spooky" about family law.
Holiday Planning for FamiliesBy Erin Wilson & Juliana BrannanFamily Law, November 2025Get ahead of the holiday stress and be proactive with your clients regarding holiday schedules. Many families may be adjusting to a new normal this holiday season, and it is important that family law attorneys ensure this transition is as smooth as possible for clients.
“Pet Peeves” and Practice Tips: Views From the Bench and BarBy Hon. Jeanne M. ReynoldsFamily Law, November 2025This two-part series explores the "pet peeves" of family law practitioners and judges. Part I: Views from the bench highlights the "pet peeves" and "best practices" as told by various judges in the domestic relations division.
What Is Mediation and ADR: History, Models, and PrinciplesBy Sandra Crawford, J.D.General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2025An overview on the origins of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, different models of mediation, and the core principles of mediating disputes.
Illinois Courts Are Altering the Fee Waiver StatuteBy Michael StraussFamily Law, October 2025This article explores the importance of holding courts accountable in appropriately applying the fee waiver statute for indigent litigants.
ISBA 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference PhotosFamily Law, October 2025The Illinois State Bar Association hosted the 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference: The Innovative Lawyer: Smart Strategies for Small Firms in the Age of AI on September 25–26 at the Embassy Suites in Naperville, IL.
So You Want To Seal a Family Law Case? Confidentiality Issues in Family LawBy Hon. Anna M. BenjaminFamily Law, October 2025Sealing a case in family law court is a complicated issue, requiring compelling reasons that go far and above an agreement between the parties. Learn the requirements that are necessary to successfully request to seal a file.
Updates To Leveraging AI and ChatGPT as a Divorce Attorney in IllinoisBy Rachael ToftFamily Law, October 2025AI can be a useful tool in streamlining time-intensive tasks; however, it is imperative that attorneys and staff take great care to ensure that AI usage is respecting ethical and professional standards.
Marital Settlement Agreements: The Devil Is Still in the DetailsBy Hon. Tamika WalkerFamily Law, September 2025When drafting Marital Settlement Agreements, details matter. In re Marriage of Tronsue highlights the pitfalls that may arise when special care is not afforded to specific details of a written settlement agreement.
Pulling Out: A Rules-Based Approach To Withdrawing From RepresentationBy Matthew BensonFamily Law, September 2025It is inevitable that an attorney will eventually have to withdraw from representing a client based on a breakdown of the attorney-client relationship. Ensure you are taking necessary steps to not only protect yourself in the withdrawal but also to develop internal procedures that govern when your office must withdraw from representation.
Supporting and Visiting Non-Minor ChildrenBy Lisa M. NyuliFamily Law, September 2025Learn more about the requirements under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and the Probate Act to award child support or parental visitation for a non-minor child with a disability.
Chair ColumnBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, August 2025A note from the Chair on how to avoid burn out in the final weeks of summer.
What Is Mediation and ADR: History, Models, and PrinciplesBy Sandra Crawford, J.D.Family Law, August 2025An overview on the origins of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, different models of mediation, and the core principles of mediating disputes.
Chair ColumnBy Staci BalbirerFamily Law, July 2025A note from the new incoming Chair, Staci Balbirer, as she discusses her plans for the Family Law Section in the upcoming bar year.
Chair’s ColumnBy Jessica PatchikFamily Law, June 2025A note from the outgoing chair, Jessica Patchik, introducing the incoming chair, Staci Balbirer.
Homeschooling in IllinoisBy Erin Wilson & Juliana BrannanFamily Law, June 2025Illinois public schools educate thousands of children each day. These schools are directly regulated and reviewed by the state, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). However, many homeschooled children's education slips through the cracks in Illinois. Most states have some type of regulations and monitoring in place, yet Illinois is in the minority with the fewest regulations and no monitoring regarding homeschooling.
Chair’s ColumnBy Jessica PatchikFamily Law, May 2025A note from the chair: "From the bottom of my heart, I thank all of my fantastic, beautiful 'Family Law Peeps' for giving me such a cool experience."
We Can End the Suffering: Illinois’ Child Marriage ProblemBy Nancy Chausow Shafer & Fraidy ReissFamily Law, May 2025Thousands of Illinois girls are being legally married off to adult men, without any input from the girls, often before the girls are legally old enough to consent to sex. Always before the girls are old enough to enter a domestic violence shelter. Or old enough to file for divorce. But we can end the suffering.
Chair’s ColumnBy Jessica PatchickFamily Law, April 2025A note from the chair.
