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Who Pays for Children's College Expenses After a Divorce?
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:
Stereotypes and the Credibility of Sexual Harassment Claims
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.
Frequently Misunderstood Truths About Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment

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."
Prenuptial Agreements Protect Property Rights
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.
How Can a Grandparent Get Guardianship of Their Grandchild in Illinois?
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.
6 Common Myths About Workplace 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:
How Is Property Divided According to Illinois Divorce Law?
In an Illinois divorce in 2026, property will be classified as "marital" or "non-marital." The marital property will then be divided between the spouses in a way that the court considers fair.
Knowing what is likely to be divided can help you set your expectations appropriately. It can also help you understand what documents you may need to have available during the division process. The more property you have, the more complex your divorce may be, but our DuPage County, IL divorce attorneys can help.
What Counts as Marital Property in an Illinois Divorce?
Marital property is typically whatever you and your spouse acquired during your marriage (750 ILCS 5/503(a)). The most common marital property includes:
- Income either spouse earned during the marriage
Things to Consider When Undertaking a High Net Worth Divorce
Divorces among high-net-worth individuals often involve more complications than the average divorce. Asset division in particular may be more complicated. It’s important to get these valuations right. Whatever is put down in the divorce decree will often affect both spouses for years, and possibly for the rest of their lives.
If you're approaching a high-asset divorce in 2026, a Kane County, IL asset division lawyer can help you protect what you've built.
What Makes a High-Net-Worth Divorce Different from a Typical Divorce?
A high-net-worth divorce differs from other divorces because of the type and complexity of the assets involved. The legal framework is the same. Valuing and dividing the property, however, is far more involved.
Illinois is an "equitable distribution" state. Under 750 ILCS 5/503, the court determines what marital or personal property is. It then divides marital property based on factors like each spouse's financial contributions, the length of the marriage, and each person's financial circumstances. In high-asset divorce, determining the value of assets and then who should receive them can be complicated.
Can Remote Workers Experience Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment?

Technology has allowed many more people to work from home. However, it doesn’t always prevent workplace issues like sexual harassment from following them there. If a coworker, supervisor, or manager is making inappropriate advances through virtual channels, you may have a legal claim just like any in-office employee would in 2026.
A DuPage County, IL, sexual harassment lawyer can help you understand what options you have as a remote employee.
How Are Remote Workers Protected from Sexual Harassment by Illinois Law?
The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-102(D)) prohibits any action by an employer or employee that creates a hostile environment. This includes unwelcome sexual conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. The law also prohibits employers or supervisors from tying someone’s job, benefits, or continued employment to accepting sexual advances or favors.
Should I Try to File for Divorce Before My Spouse Does?
There are many reasons spouses could want to be the first one to file for divorce. It may be based on emotions. For example, you’d rather leave than be left. It could be practical, like the relationship isn’t working, but your spouse isn’t going to file. Someone has to get the ball rolling.
It’s common to assume that filing first will give you an advantage going into the rest of the divorce proceedings. However, filing first doesn’t typically change the final divorce settlement. However, there are a couple of things that the filing spouse gets to decide on. A Wheaton, IL divorce lawyer can help walk you through the entire filing process in 2026 and decide if filing first matters to you.
Does Filing for Divorce First Give You a Legal Advantage in Illinois?
Under 750 ILCS 5/401, the only grounds needed for divorce are irreconcilable differences. This means the marriage cannot be salvaged. Divorce proceedings aren't meant to punish either spouse, even if something like infidelity led to it. The court also doesn't reward whoever filed first when dividing assets, setting support amounts, or allocating parental responsibilities and parenting time.


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