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.
Impact of Rescission of Laws on DEI in Family Law: Implications to Access to JusticeBy Arlette G. PorterFamily Law, April 2025The recent rescission of DEI laws has already had a profound effect on access to justice. It has had a tangible and perhaps detrimental consequence in the family law arena. Revocation of DEI initiatives significantly hinders divorcing parties’ and parentage parties’ access to justice, particularly those in vulnerable positions.
The Work of a GAL and Lessons LearnedBy Judge Maureen SchuetteFamily Law, April 2025Judge Schuette provides insight and guidance from her days as a Guardian Ad Litem.
2025 Statutory Changes in Child Support ImputationBy Rebecca MelzerFamily Law, March 2025On January 1, 2025, SB 3284 became law. As part of that bill, it amended the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to add specific criteria in the statute for determining child support if a parent is unemployed or underemployed. It further added the requirement that a court is required to conduct an evidentiary hearing to impute income to a party.
ABA’s February 2025 House Resolutions and Their Intersection with Family LawBy Olivia K. BasuFamily Law, March 2025ABA’s House of Delegates held its February 2025 Midyear Conference in Phoenix. During the meeting, the ABA House of Delegates passed several key resolutions that intersect with the field of family law. The most influential resolutions are explored in this article.
Chair’s ColumnBy Jessica PatchickFamily Law, March 2025A note from the chair.
Immigration Considerations for Family Law LawyersBy Rachael ToftFamily Law, March 2025The evolving political landscape has resulted in drastic changes to immigration enforcement that must be accounted for by family law lawyers. A client that has an uncertain immigration status should be warned that their status can have significant impacts in both divorce and parental responsibility cases.
Chair’s ColumnBy Jessica PatchikFamily Law, February 2025A note from the chair.
Child Support in Illinois—Multiple Answers to a Single QuestionBy Nancy Chausow ShaferFamily Law, February 2025This article discusses allocation of the dependent tax exemption and designation of the majority-time parent—two tax-related choices often misunderstood and used incorrectly.
Is a Divorce Judgment a Judgment?By Michael StraussFamily Law, February 2025The Second District Appellate Court vacated the ruling denying statutory interest in the 2024 case of In re Marriage of Hyman. That part of the court's ruling is the focus of this article.
Chair’s ColumnBy Jessica PatchikFamily Law, January 2025A note from the chair.
Cohabitation—Will We Know It When We See It?By Christopher BohlenFamily Law, January 2025The issue is cases with similar fact patterns, but different results leave the parties involved with maintenance in a quandary. What is the meaning of residing in a continuing conjugal relationship? Recent cases have been able to define the concept. It is a de facto marriage. It is not an intimate dating relationship. But what is the bright line between those two concepts? Is it answered by Justice Stewart’s concept of “I know it when I see it”? More importantly, is the termination of maintenance based upon cohabitation so fact-specific and unpredictable as to argue for its elimination?
Illinois State Bar Association’s 2024 Annual Midyear Meeting: A Resounding Success!By Genevieve E. Miller, Esq.Family Law, January 2025The ISBA's 2024 Midyear Meeting lived up to its reputation as one of the premier events on the legal community’s calendar. Held at the JW Marriott in downtown Chicago on December 12 and 13, the two-day event provided a perfect blend of professional development, networking, and celebration for attorneys, judges, and legal professionals across Illinois. Attendees engaged in a full schedule of substantive section council meetings, dynamic CLE courses, and lively social gatherings.
Thirteen Red Flags for Spotting Problem ClientsBy Matthew BensonFamily Law, January 2025The purpose of this article is to provide a list of “red flags:” the phrases that problematic or regrettable clients say or make reference to in initial consultations, so that they can be spotted early and encouraged to find counsel more suited to their disposition. If a client exhibits any of the following, it might be wise to question the wisdom of allowing them to hire you.
Chair’s ColumnBy Jessica PatchickFamily Law, December 2024A note from the chair and A Lawyer’s Night Before Christmas story.
Effectively Transitioning Your Matter for AppealBy Julie A. JohnsonFamily Law, December 2024Family law litigators who routinely try cases or conduct full evidentiary hearings, whether pre- or post-decree, inevitably face the prospect of appealing decisions that did not favor your client. Most family law attorneys routinely practice in either the circuit courts or the appellate courts but rarely both. Employing the following strategies will save you time, your client money, and enable a smooth transition of your matter for an appeal handled by separate appellate counsel.
