Illinois Family Law Blog

Family law blog by Patrick Markey, Attorney at Law

Welcome to our divorce and family law blog, updating you on the law, trends and issues affecting relationships and families.

What Makes the Best Divorce Lawyers Different?

When people think about hiring a divorce lawyer, they want to hire the best lawyer for their case. Sometimes people think best means someone who is aggressive, relentless, and ready to battle in court. But the qualities that truly set the best divorce lawyers apart go far beyond [...]

Don’t Let Your Divorce Break the Bank

While some divorce costs are inevitable, there are clear ways to save money throughout the process. Here are 4 easy tips to keep the cost of a divorce down. 1. Get Organized with Your Financial Documents One of the most effective ways to cut costs is by organizing [...]

Tax Issues to Consider in Divorce

For anyone going through a divorce, taxes are not the first thing on your mind. However, overlooking tax consequences can lead to costly mistakes. Taxes are embedded in many aspects of property division, retirement accounts, investments, and even real estate. Failure to consider tax implications can result in [...]

The #1 Reason For Divorce

When couples walk into my office, they cite various reasons for the breakdown of their marriage—infidelity, financial struggles, or irreconcilable differences. However, at the core of almost every divorce case lies what I believe to be one fundamental issue: communication failure. The Communication Breakdown Poor communication seeps into [...]

The Respectful Divorce Podcast Features Illinois Attorney Patrick Markey

Patrick Markey was recently a guest on The Respectful Divorce podcast highlighting Collaborative Divorce and Divorce With Respect Week®. Markey is a Chicago divorce attorney and president of Collaborative Divorce Illinois. “What I hear when I talk to someone about divorce is that they just don’t know how [...]

Why Using Mediation for Your Divorce is Better

Choosing the right path for your divorce can make all the difference in the end-result of your divorce. Mediation offers many advantages for resolving conflicts efficiently, collaboratively, and cost-effectively. Here are 7 reasons why Mediation is a better option than going to court. 1. Active Participation and Swift [...]

Divorce: Why Does it Take So Long?

The divorce process can seem like it will never end and there are some divorces that can even stretch out for several years. Why does this happen? The answer lies in a mix of human factors, legal system dynamics, and the approach chosen to resolve disputes. The Human [...]

Divorce: What is Equitable Distribution?

Property division is often one of the most challenging issues to resolve in a divorce. In Illinois, this division is guided by the principle of “equitable distribution,” a term that doesn’t necessarily mean a strict 50/50 split of marital assets. Instead, equitable distribution refers to a fair allocation [...]

Pros and Cons of Mediation for Divorce

Mediation is an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional divorce process that ends up in court. Resolving disputes outside of court offers several benefits. However, like any divorce process, Mediation has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding both the pros and cons can help you decide if mediation is [...]

Health Insurance in Divorce: Key Considerations

An important, yet overlooked, aspect of a divorce is how to handle health insurance for both the divorcing spouses and their children. During the divorce process, you will need to make decisions about how you, your spouse and your children will continue to be covered by a health [...]

Why No-Fault Divorce Matters

One of the benefits of a no-fault divorce is that it simplifies the legal process. Prior to no-fault divorce becoming the law, there was a requirement that for a divorce to be granted that fault had to be assigned to you or to your spouse. Which is to [...]

Common Divorce Fears: Will My Divorce Harm Our Children?

One of the most common fears people have about divorce is the potential harm it may cause to their children. While it is true that divorce is hard on children, staying in a toxic relationship can also have detrimental effects. So how can you protect your children during [...]