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 Happens If Your Spouse Is Hiding Assets During a Divorce? Understanding Your Legal Options and Protecting Your Financial Interests

Dividing assets is one of the most important parts of the divorce process. To reach a fair resolution, both spouses must have an accurate understanding of the family’s finances, including income, property, accounts, and debts. Unfortunately, some divorces involve concerns that one spouse may be hiding assets [...]

When Can You Modify Spousal Maintenance After Divorce?

Divorce does not always mark the end of financial obligations between former spouses. In some cases, one spouse may be required to pay spousal maintenance (also known as alimony) to the other after the divorce is finalized. However, life circumstances can change over time. Income may increase [...]

How Divorce Affects Your Will, Trust, and Beneficiary Designations

After a divorce is finalized, many people focus on dividing assets, adjusting finances, and moving forward with their new lives. However, one important step that is often overlooked is reviewing and updating estate planning documents. A divorce can impact decisions about who controls your assets, who makes [...]

Can a Divorce Court Require Parents to Pay for College in Illinois Even After a Child Turns 18?

Many parents assume that their financial obligations automatically end when their child turns 18. However, in Illinois, divorce-related responsibilities may continue beyond a child’s legal adulthood, including potential contributions toward college expenses. Understanding how Illinois handles college expenses after divorce can help parents plan ahead and avoid [...]

Preparing for Life After High School: Co-Parenting Older Teens After Divorce

As children get older, the challenges of co-parenting after divorce often shift. While younger children may require detailed parenting schedules and frequent coordination between parents, older teens are preparing for major life changes, including college, employment, financial independence, and adulthood. For divorced parents, this stage can bring new [...]

Debts and Divorce: Understanding Your Liability for Credit Cards, Loans, and Tax Debt After the Split

When a divorce is finalized, many people focus on dividing assets and moving forward with their new lives. However, understanding how debts are handled after divorce is just as important. Credit card balances, loans, and tax obligations can continue to affect your financial future if they are [...]

Life After Divorce: A Legal Checklist for Updating Your Will, Beneficiaries, and Power of Attorney Documents

After a divorce is finalized, many people focus on moving forward emotionally and financially. However, one of the most important post-divorce steps is often overlooked: updating estate planning and legal documents. Without these updates, an ex-spouse may still remain listed in roles that control financial, medical, or [...]

Understanding the Costs of Divorce: Traditional Litigation vs. Collaborative Divorce

Divorce is often viewed as an emotional process, but it is also a financial one. One of the first questions many people ask is, “How much will this cost?” The answer depends largely on the path a couple takes to resolve. In Illinois, divorce can proceed through traditional [...]

Modifying Court Orders: When and How You Can Change Child Support or Parenting Time After Divorce

Even after a divorce is finalized, life rarely stays the same. Jobs change, incomes go up or down, children’s needs evolve, and parenting schedules that once worked smoothly can become difficult over time. In Illinois, divorce judgments are not always permanent when it comes to child support and [...]

High-Conflict Divorce Strategies: Managing an Uncooperative Spouse During Divorce

Not every divorce involves two people calmly working toward a resolution. In some cases, one spouse may be highly combative, emotionally manipulative, or unwilling to cooperate throughout the legal process. These high-conflict divorces can quickly become exhausting, expensive, and emotionally draining for everyone involved, especially when children are [...]

Relocating with Children: Understanding Illinois Rules for Moving After Divorce

After a divorce or custody case, life circumstances can change quickly. A new job opportunity, remarriage, family support, or financial needs may make one parent want to move with their child. But in Illinois, relocating with children is not as simple as packing up and leaving—especially when the [...]

“Equitable Distribution” Explained: Why a 50/50 Split Isn’t Guaranteed in Illinois

“Equitable Distribution” Explained: Why a 50/50 Split Isn’t Guaranteed in Illinois One of the biggest misconceptions people have about divorce is the belief that everything automatically gets split equally between spouses. Many assume that divorce means a simple 50/50 division of all assets and debts. In Illinois, however, [...]