Section Newsletters

Articles on Family Law

Where’s the Equity? By Ron Cohen Family Law, April 2020 A look at how Supreme Court Rule 13, 735 ILCS 5/2-1301, 735 ILCS 5/2-1302, 735 ILCS 5/2-1401, 750 ILCS 5/405, Supreme Court Rule 105, and the equitable powers inherent in all courts of general jurisdiction are used.
No DNA for You! By Jessica Patchik Family Law, March 2020 If a father has signed a voluntary acknowledgement, the Parentage Act does not give the court authority to order DNA testing after the fact.
Tips From the Couch: What Psychologists Want You to Know and Tell Your Clients By Katy Kraft Family Law, March 2020 Tips from psychologists to help lawyers better advocate for their clients.
The Top 10 Things Court-Appointed Guardians ad Litem Wish Parents Knew Before Their First Meeting By Angel Traub Child Law, March 2020 Ten things to review and discuss with clients to prepare them to meet with a guardian ad litem.
The Top 10 Things Court-Appointed Guardians ad Litem Wish Parents Knew Before Their First Meeting By Angel Traub Family Law, February 2020 Ten things to review and discuss with clients to prepare them to meet with a guardian ad litem.
2 comments (Most recent February 7, 2020)
Do I Really Have to Pay for That?: Yakich v. Aulds and the Constitutionality of Section 513 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act By Max Bungert Family Law, January 2020 A summary of Yakich v. Aulds, which looked at whether compelling divorced and unmarried parents to contribute to the educational expenses of their non-minor children is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause.
Fairness and Child Support in Illinois: Incompatible Goals or Unreasonable Expectations? By Nancy Chausow Shafer Family Law, January 2020 A look at the income shares method of computing child support guidelines.
DCFS Safety Plans: How Best to Represent Your Client When DCFS Proposes a Safety Plan By Elizabeth Butler Family Law, December 2019 Attorneys representing parents during Department of Child & Family Services investigations can offer valuable assistance in guiding the parents through the drafting and implementation of the safety plan to ensure the most successful and speedy resolution of the investigation.
Suggestions for Fair Play By Matthew A. Kirsh Family Law, December 2019 In family law, although judges are the ultimate decision makers, it often feels to our clients that we have turned their lives over to a guardian ad litem or a mental health professional who will render opinions and make recommendations.
Jurisdiction Under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act By Howard Feldman & John S. Morse Family Law, October 2019 Family law practitioners serving clients whose work takes them out of the state or country or who have relocated to Illinois from a foreign jurisdiction must be cognizant of the provisions of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act and principles of civil procedure and jurisdiction not often front-of-mind in dissolution and support cases.
Tips from an international family lawyer By David N. Schaffer International and Immigration Law, July 2019 Insights, protocols, and lessons learned from one attorney's international practice.
Beware! Drafting tips for post-Jan. 1, 2019 maintenance modification orders By Rory T. Weiler Family Law, June 2019 Tips for the divorce lawyer seeking to take advantage of the new non-taxability law.
Illinois Supreme Court reaffirms the continued viability of Eckert in relocation cases after the 2016 statutory amendments By Arnold F. Blockman Family Law, June 2019 In In re Marriage of Fatkin, the Illinois Supreme Court dealt for the first time with the parameters of relocation under the January 1, 2016, rewrite of the Dissolution Act.
Another playing field to level By Kevin H. Saville Family Law, May 2019 All family lawyers have receivables problems, and there can be a number of solutions if we think outside the box.
Tips from an international family lawyer By David N. Schaffer Family Law, May 2019 Insights, protocols, and lessons learned from one attorney's international practice.
A few things to consider when your client or opposing party is an Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services client By Jessica Patchik Family Law, April 2019 Tips for working with Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services clients.
The use of document assembly software in family law By Wesley A. Gozia Family Law, April 2019 Document assembly software is one way to help increase efficiency and accuracy in document preparation.
Does the decree provide for long-term success and stability? By Rob Zuiker Family Law, March 2019 When you resolve a divorce for your client and the decree is finalized, are you confident that your client is now properly positioned for the next stage?
Is cryptocurrency the new Swiss bank account? By Janice L. Boback & Stephanie L. Tang Family Law, March 2019 The basics of bitcoin trading and tips for lawyers to help protect and educate their clients.
1 comment (Most recent April 1, 2019)
Unintended consequences By William Scott Family Law, March 2019 Summaries of cases that demonstrate the problems that arise when a client does not remove their ex-spouse as the beneficiary.
Is it income? Depends who is counting By Richard D. Felice & Joseph M. Beck Family Law, February 2019 After considering the new maintenance formula, the repeal of the Illinois deduction, and changes in section 505 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, attorneys are now confronted with an ever-changing landscape as to what defines a party's income for child support and maintenance calculations.
Seeking decision-making after an award of child support in parentage cases By Marilyn Longwell Family Law, February 2019 A look at how section 802(c) of the Parentage Act has been interpreted.
Enforcement of prenuptial agreements following Kranzler and Woodrum By Stephanie L. Tang Family Law, December 2018 Two recent cases—In re Marriage of Woodrum and In re Marriage of Kranzler—help clarify the criteria courts will consider when determining enforceability of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement.
‘Fee,’ fie, foe … fee? Fee awards under 750 ILCS 5/508(a) By Stephanie Capps Family Law, December 2018 According to the second district, clients cannot sue their former attorneys for fees under 750 ILCS 5/508(a)(3).
In re Marriage of Hodges: Equitable estoppel revisited By Arnold F. Blockman General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, December 2018 A summary of In re Marriage of Hodges, in which the court found equitable estoppel to be a valid defense to an enforcement proceeding to collect a child support arrearage.
New programs in Cook County’s Domestic Relations Division By Grace G. Dickler Family Law, November 2018 In light of recent changes in family law in Illinois and an uptick in the number of litigants navigating cases without assistance of an attorney, multiple committees have been assembled to ensure that Cook County's Domestic Relations Division offers programs and policies appropriate to meet the changing needs of families.
Alleging and defending dissipation: Cheating, gambling, and jet-setting—oh my! By Marie Sarantakis Family Law, September 2018 When allocating spouses’ property under 750 ILCS 5/503 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, courts are to assess whether a spouse engaged in the dissipation of marital assets.
In re Marriage of Hodges: Equitable estoppel revisited By Arnold F. Blockman Family Law, September 2018 A summary of In re Marriage of Hodges, in which the court found equitable estoppel to be a valid defense to an enforcement proceeding to collect a child support arrearage.
Not so fast, Buddy—Retirement and termination of maintenance By Marilyn F. Longwell & Anne L. Mueller Family Law, September 2018 Not unlike the issue of the award of maintenance at the time of dissolution, the totality of the circumstances must be considered as to whether retirement justifies a termination of maintenance.
My life as a guardian ad litem and children’s representative—so far, quite good! By Kevin H. Saville Family Law, June 2018 A first-person account of what it's like to be a guardian ad litem and children's representative.

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