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.

How to Divorce With Respect

First Understand your Divorce Options? Traditional Litigation. Most people have never even heard the term “Collaborative Divorce.” Instead, when they think of divorce, they think of the traditional litigation process which pits the spouses against each other, with each spouse striving to be the “winner” of the court [...]

Divorce: Should You Wait Until The Kids Are Grown?

There are differing views on whether a couple who want to get a divorce should wait until their children are grown and have moved out of the house before they actually file for divorce and moving apart. There are pros and cons to both opinions. Pros of Waiting [...]

Why Should I Have a Lawyer in my Divorce?

No one gets married with the expectation that someday they will be divorced, but couples get divorced every year in Illinois. If it happens that you and your spouse decide to go this route, do yourselves a favor and find family law attorneys who focus their practice on [...]

What Should Be in a Prenuptial Agreement?

Prenuptial agreements, also known as premarital agreements, often get a bad rap. One spouse may resist entering into the agreement, viewing it as a document prepared with an expectation of divorce. That stigma needs to disappear, and a premarital agreement should be viewed as an insurance policy. [...]

Divorce: When One Spouse Wants Out and the Other Does Not

The divorce rate in the U.S. is high and in a large percentage of cases we see at The Law Offices of Patrick Markey, P.C., one spouse wants a divorce and the other on does not. We are just as likely to represent the person who does not [...]

Key Questions To Ask Your Prospective Divorce Attorney

Selecting a divorce attorney is not always easy. You are likely upset and emotionally reeling from the fact that you have decided to get a divorce, but you need to set aside your emotions and choose to work with an attorney you trust and believe is looking out [...]

How to Know When It Is Time for a Divorce

Marriage is complicated. Some spouses have thought about divorce for years before they take the step and file a petition for divorce. As for a list of reasons why a person should get a divorce, there is no one-size-fits-all criteria. Each case is unique, and the best advice [...]

How to Get a Divorce in Illinois

If you have decided to get a divorce in Illinois, there are some decisions you need to make about how you want to get divorced. There are also legal steps you then take depending on the specific divorce process you have decided to pursue. Most people think that [...]

Woman Drinking Wine - Law Offices of Patrick Markey Chicago

How Can Alcohol, Marijuana, and Other Drugs Affect an Illinois Divorce?

If you are considering a divorce in Illinois, you’ll also want to think about how the use of marijuana, alcohol, drugs, and other substances could impact your separation. How the Law Views Marijuana, Drugs, and Drinking Though it’s not legal on the federal level, marijuana is can be [...]

After the Divorce: Tidying Your Post-Settlement To-Do List

A lot of people think that when the final documents of the divorce settlement are signed, everything is over and complete. Not quite—there’s a good deal of financial, personal, and legal housekeeping that still needs to be done. Start with Your Divorce Settlement or Agreement It’s critical to [...]

The Advantages of Having a Financial Neutral in a Collaborative Divorce

A financial neutral has an important role on the Collaborative Divorce team, especially when the parties have complicated business, financial, or tax issues. They have experience in running financial scenarios, understanding maintenance buyouts, or other complex matters. Financial neutrals are usually CPAs or professionals with extensive financial background. [...]

Charlotte Bliss Joins Chicago Law Firm

DePaul University College of Law graduate, Charlotte Bliss, has recently joined the Law Offices of Patrick Markey as a new Junior Associate Attorney. Bliss will bring a diverse background not only in the legal field but also with non-profits and with a wide range of volunteer experience. Bliss [...]

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