Blog

Divorce impacts people in many different ways. I’ve represented spouses with little financial knowledge who suddenly had to take charge of the household budget and parents navigating the complexities of raising children across two separate homes. These challenges are often intensified by the strong emotions that accompany the process. To help address these demands, many […]

Despite the rise in emerging electronic payment methods like Apple Pay, Venmo and Zelle, it may sound surprising that cash is still the most common form of payment. While cash has its advantages, it can complicate divorce cases, especially for a spouse divorcing a partner who is paid in cash at work or primarily handles […]

It’s been more than five years since it became legal for adults aged 21 and older to possess, purchase and consume limited amounts of cannabis in Illinois. In that time, usage appears to have become more common, or at least more readily disclosed, and it is increasingly becoming an issue in divorce cases involving children.  […]

Divorce is a life-altering event for the entire family, not just for the spouses but for the child(ren) caught in the middle as well. Unfortunately, I’ve seen parents engage in conduct that is clearly detrimental to their children. Even parents who mean well make choices that add to their children’s anxiety and fear. Speaking negatively […]

Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP are more than just financial buzzwords. These forms of cryptocurrency have become part of everyday vocabulary. Although it’s difficult to definitively say how many American adults own cryptocurrency, one source estimates it could be as high as 28%. Yet, these items have already become a point of contention in divorces. Until […]

Our second Educate Empower Roundtable event explored the intersection of addiction and divorce. It featured an informative conversation with panelists Gibson Smith, a recovery coach with 16 years of sobriety who shared his personal story of divorce and addiction; Mike Gammel, President and CEO of TrueTest Labs, which specializes in family law drug and alcohol […]

Some of the most emotionally charged divorces that I have guided my clients through have involved a spouse struggling with addiction. Whether the addiction is to alcohol, drugs or gambling, both parties begin the divorce process with intense emotions of fear, shame, anger and safety concerns. My mother-in-law passed away from alcoholism, so I have […]

Is mediation right for you? Depending on your circumstances and goals, it can be an effective setting for mitigating conflict, reducing costs and offering you and your spouse control over the outcome of your divorce. It’s also a more private process than court that can save you and your family the stress of litigation. However, […]

There was a lot of talk throughout the 2024 election about no-fault divorce and the future of this legal process. Critics claim it has broken down the institution of marriage by making divorce much easier. Others, like myself, believe no-fault divorce has helped make modern divorces less emotionally toiling, expensive and detrimental to couples and […]

It’s hard to forget the housing frenzy that quickly took shape when mortgage interest rates hit historic lows in 2021. Many couples took advantage of this unique opportunity and either bought a new home or refinanced an existing home loan. Now, these ultra-low rates are posing new challenges to spouses who are getting a divorce. […]