Posted on August 30, 2026 in Family Law

Divorce mediation gives spouses a chance to settle disagreements without asking a judge to make every decision. However, even when both spouses enter mediation hoping to reach an agreement, they may find that some issues are too difficult to resolve.

An unsuccessful mediation does not mean your divorce process has to start over. If your divorce mediation stalls, a Kane County divorce attorney can help you decide what to do next.

What Happens When Spouses Cannot Agree During Illinois Divorce Mediation?

A mediator helps spouses work through disputed issues and explore possible solutions. Unlike a judge, the mediator cannot make decisions for you or require either of you to accept an agreement.

When mediation reaches a standstill, the divorce can still move forward. You and your spouse may continue negotiating through your attorneys. If you still cannot reach an agreement, the court can decide the remaining issues.

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 Posted on August 25, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

Most of us are more familiar with sexual harassment in the workplace coming from a co-worker or a boss. In many instances, sexual harassment in the workplace is from clients or customers of the business. This is more common among those in the hospitality industry, but it can also occur in many other industries.

A waitress could be sexually harassed by a customer, a grocery store cashier could be inappropriately touched by a customer, or a nurse could have a patient who constantly makes sexually inappropriate jokes. Sexual harassment by customers, clients, and patients occurs more often than most people would think.

Those who suffer the sexual harassment may be unsure whether their employer can be held liable in these instances. If you have been sexually harassed by a client, customer, or patient, it is important that you speak to an experienced Wheaton, IL sexual harassment lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.  

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 Posted on August 20, 2026 in Family Law

Many unmarried fathers want to be involved in their child’s life but are unsure what legal rights they have. A father may provide support and have a close relationship with his child, but he may still have questions about what happens if the other parent disagrees about parenting decisions.

In Illinois, an unmarried father’s rights begin with legal parentage, also known as "paternity." Once parentage is established, a father can ask for parenting time and decision-making responsibilities. If you have questions about your rights as an unmarried father in 2026, a DuPage County family law attorney can explain your options.

Does an Unmarried Father Automatically Have Parental Rights in Illinois?

Being a child’s biological father does not always create immediate legal rights. Illinois law uses the term legal parentage to describe the legal relationship between a parent and child.

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 Posted on August 15, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

Work does not always stay inside the office. Employees may attend conferences, travel with coworkers, go to company parties, or talk with supervisors after hours. When inappropriate behavior happens outside your usual workplace, it can be difficult to navigate what rights you have.

Workplace sexual harassment does not have to happen at your workspace or inside your employer's building. Illinois law may cover conduct outside the workplace when it is connected to your job. If you experienced sexual harassment, a Wheaton, IL sexual harassment attorney can help you understand whether you may have a legal claim.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Harassment Outside the Workplace?

The Illinois Human Rights Act defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other sexual conduct that meets certain legal rules. Under 775 ILCS 5/2-101, this can include conduct that affects a person's job or creates an intimidating or offensive work environment.

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 Posted on August 10, 2026 in Family Law

After a divorce, a parenting plan is meant to give both parents clear rules for raising their child. However, problems can arise when one parent stops following those terms.

If your ex keeps violating your parenting plan in 2026, you should file a motion to ask the court to enforce it. Our DuPage County, IL family law attorney can explain what you can do to protect your rights and your time with your child.

The appropriate enforcement procedure may depend on which provision of the parenting plan has been violated. Illinois law provides a specific expedited procedure under Section 607.5 for violations involving allocated parenting time

What Steps Can I Take if My Ex Is Not Following Our Parenting Plan in Illinois?

Start by reviewing your parenting plan to make sure you understand what it requires. A disagreement between parents does not always mean that someone has violated the court order.

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 Posted on August 05, 2026 in Kane

A divorce can take a long time, but your household expenses and responsibilities as a parent don’t stop while the case is pending. You may need to decide how you will support yourself or how you and your spouse will divide parenting time long before the divorce is final.

Illinois courts can enter temporary orders to address these concerns while a divorce is underway. If you are going through an Illinois divorce, a Kane County divorce attorney can help you determine what temporary relief may help provide stability until the court enters a final judgment.

What Financial Support Can You Request During a Divorce in Illinois?

Under 750 ILCS 5/501 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, either spouse may ask for temporary maintenance or child support.

Temporary maintenance can help a spouse who does not have enough income to pay regular expenses. This could be particularly relevant for a parent who stayed home with the children during the marriage and may need help paying for groceries and utilities after the spouses separate.

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 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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