Posted on July 30, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

Many people don’t immediately report sexual harassment. Some hope the behavior will stop. Others are afraid they will lose their jobs, damage their careers, or be blamed for what happened. Some may also need time to fully understand that the behavior they faced was serious enough to violate the law.

Not making an immediate report does not always prevent you from bringing a claim. However, the delay can change how a case is handled because it might affect what evidence is available, whether the employer is responsible, and whether legal action can be taken now.

If you are considering a sexual harassment claim in 2026, speak with a DuPage County sexual harassment lawsuit attorney as soon as possible.

Do I Have to Report Sexual Harassment to Human Resources First?

You do not always have to report harassment to human resources before filing a charge with a government agency. A company’s internal complaint system and the formal legal process are separate.

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 Posted on July 25, 2026 in Family Law

What to do about parenting time and decision-making can be difficult to decide when parents tell very different stories about what is best for their child. A judge may need more information than the parents and their lawyers can provide. In these cases, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem or order a professional child custody evaluation.

These jobs may seem similar, and in some ways they are. Both can investigate a family and give the judge useful information. However, they have different training, duties, and methods. If you are involved in a custody dispute in 2026, our DuPage County child custody attorneys can help you understand who might be involved and what they can do to help your case.

What Does a Guardian ad Litem Do in an Illinois Custody Case?

A guardian ad litem, often called a GAL, is a lawyer appointed by the court to investigate a child’s best interests. The GAL does not represent either parent. The GAL also does not simply repeat what the child says he or she wants.

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 Posted on July 20, 2026 in Family Law

Learning that your spouse wants a divorce can be shocking. You may still love your spouse, believe the marriage can be fixed, or feel that the decision came without warning. You may want to know whether you can refuse to sign the papers or ask the court to stop the case.

Unfortunately, one spouse cannot prevent an Illinois divorce by themselves. If your spouse has filed or is threatening to file in 2026, your most important step is to speak with a Kane County divorce lawyer. Even if you cannot stop the divorce itself, you can still protect your children, property, income, and future.

Can I Refuse to Let My Spouse Divorce Me in Illinois?

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. This means your spouse does not have to prove that either of you did anything wrong.

Under 750 ILCS 5/401, the legal ground for divorce is that "irreconcilable differences" have caused the marriage to break down and that attempts to make it better have failed or would not be practical. If the spouses have lived separately for at least six months, the law creates a firm presumption that irreconcilable differences exist.

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 Posted on July 15, 2026 in Family Law

Divorce issues, including spousal support, are usually complex and emotional. When you add a non-citizen spouse into the mix, the complexities can grow exponentially. Green card holders are immigrants to America who have permanent residence status rather than full American citizenship. This status is often obtained through marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Few U.S. citizens who marry a non-citizen fully understand the long-term implications of signing a USCIS Form I-864, also known as an Affidavit of Support. Once signed, the I-864 form creates a sponsor obligation that requires the U.S. citizen to annually support the immigrant at an amount equal to 125 percent of the U.S. Poverty Guidelines.

The sponsor/spouse must continue to support the non-citizen spouse until he or she becomes a U.S. citizen, permanently leaves the United States, earns 40 work quarters (10 years) credited to Social Security, or dies. You may have noticed that divorce is not on the list. So, does this mean that when a U.S. Citizen divorces a spouse who has permanent residence status, the immigrant spouse will have to be supported…forever?

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 Posted on July 10, 2026 in Family Law

There are numerous legal and financial considerations that need to be addressed during a divorce, particularly when children are involved. One of these is child support, which is used to ensure that parents share the costs of raising their children.

However, in addition to the support paid while children are minors, parents may also be required to provide assistance as a child pursues a college education after graduating from high school. Illinois law provides guidance on how college expenses may be divided between divorced parents. An experienced Kane County Family child support attorney can help parents understand these provisions and determine their financial responsibilities during and after divorce.

Illinois Law on College Expenses After Divorce

Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), courts have the authority to order divorced parents to contribute to their children's college expenses. The types of expenses that may be addressed as children pursue a college education include:

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 Posted on July 05, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

Every human being, no matter how enlightened, accepting, or empathetic, has biases. Biases can be enhanced by stereotypes, which together can cause prejudices, which lead us to discriminate (positively or negatively) against others.

This cognitive bias exists for a reason; it allows human beings to analyze a new situation quickly. This helps our brains sift through the millions of pieces of information we receive, but it can also lead to errors in reasoning.

While stereotyping others can be relatively innocuous, it can also cause serious consequences for those who are stereotyped. A prime example is the fact that sexual harassment claims by "non-typical" women are often perceived as less credible. In short, less "feminine" women, overweight women, LGBTQ women, or other non-stereotypical women may not be believed when they report sexual harassment.

Imagine being the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace, yet your story is brushed off because you do not look like others think a female harassment victim "should" look. If you are the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace in 2026, it is crucial that you speak to a knowledgeable Wheaton, IL sexual harassment lawyer. At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we will strongly advocate on your behalf, fighting against any stereotypes to seek the justice you deserve.  

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 Posted on June 30, 2026 in Family Law

One of the most damaging forms of sexual harassment is commonly called "quid pro quo" harassment. This is when an employer ties benefits of some kind to acceptance of sexual advances.

Despite the fact that Illinois law offers strong protections for victims of sexual harassment, many employees are unaware of their rights. They also may not know how to identify if their experiences qualify as sexual harassment.

If you believe that you have experienced sexual harassment at your workplace in 2026, A DuPage County, IL sexual harassment lawyer can help you understand if you have a case.

What Is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?

Quid pro quo sexual harassment occurs when a person of authority in a company uses his or her position to leverage sexual interactions with an employee (or prospective employee). "Quid pro quo" is a Latin phrase that translates approximately into "this for that."

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 Posted on June 25, 2026 in Family Law

For some couples, discussing a prenuptial agreement either gets lost in the mix of wedding plans or never comes up at all. Individuals may feel uncomfortable about broaching the subject. They may worry that their partner will take offense or accuse them of "planning for divorce."

However, prenuptial agreements can be a valuable way to avoid disputes down the road. They can also open the door to candid conversations around values and finances. Prenuptial agreements can greatly benefit couples considering marriage.

If you are preparing to get married in 2026, a Wheaton, IL family law attorney can help you decide if a prenup is right for you.

What Is a Prenuptial Agreement?

A prenuptial agreement is a contract that a couple creates. It outlines how the couple will handle financial matters in the event of divorce. This includes the division of marital property, such as the house, bank accounts, and marital debt.

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 Posted on June 20, 2026 in Family Law

In some cases, it may be in the best interests of a child to live with someone other than their parents. The US Department of Labor reports that 3.2 percent of children across the country are being raised by their grandparents. Courts often favor a child living with other family members, including grandparents, if their parents cannot take care of them.

To be granted guardianship of a grandchild, grandparents will need to prove to the court that the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to care for their child. If you have questions about whether your situation qualifies in 2026, a Kane County, IL guardianship lawyer can help.

What Is Guardianship of a Minor in Illinois?

Guardianship of a minor is a legal arrangement that gives an adult other than a parent the authority to care for a child. They can also make decisions on the child's behalf. The Illinois Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/11-5) allows a court to appoint a guardian if doing so is in the child's best interests.

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 Posted on June 15, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

Workplace sexual harassment is a familiar topic. Unfortunately, there are still some common misconceptions about the forms it takes and who can be affected by it. These misunderstandings negatively impact victims of workplace harassment.

Clearing up these myths helps employees understand their rights. It can also help employers prevent problems before they start. If you have questions about potential harassment at work in 2026, a DuPage County, IL sexual harassment attorney can help you understand your options.

Does Harassment Have to Be Physical to Be Considered Sexual?

Sexual Harassment does not have to involve physical contact to be considered unlawful. This idea keeps many employees from understanding that they may actually have a sexual harassment claim.

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000e) and the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/), sexual harassment includes a wide range of conduct. Employers and employees are responsible for keeping a work environment from becoming hostile. Creating a hostile environment can mean:

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