Posted on November 21, 2025 in Family Law

Suppose a parent goes to pick up his or her child on a Friday evening for weekend parenting time, only to find the house cleaned out, with no trace of the other parent or child. A surprise move like this can disrupt a child’s education, relationships, and stability, not to mention wreaking havoc on the parenting plan. You might be surprised to find that this scenario happens more often than many people imagine, particularly in high-conflict cases.

Many parents believe they are within their rights to move, so long as they remain within the state of Illinois. So, what happens when a divorced Illinois parent moves the couple’s child to another city in Illinois without notifying the other parent?  Illinois relocation laws (750 ILCS 5/609.2 and 750 ILCS 5/600) are strict, and secretly relocating a child can trigger severe legal consequences, including the loss of parenting time, court-ordered returns, and being held in contempt.

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 Posted on November 20, 2025 in Family Law

Thanks to the rise in alternative work arrangements, a decline in union membership, and shifts in the labor market driven by globalization and technology, there are far fewer "traditional" wage earners. Some parents may receive housing, a company car, food stipends, business travel perks, or other non-cash benefits as part of their overall compensation.

When it comes to child support, these forms of in-kind compensation can significantly affect child support calculations under the Illinois Income Shares model. However, not all perks qualify as "income," and courts must determine whether an in-kind benefit is substantial, regular, and economically valuable to the paying parent.

Both parents must understand how Illinois treats in-kind pay when determining child support. If you or your spouse receives "non-traditional" forms of compensation, you must ensure you have a knowledgeable Wheaton, IL child support attorney who understands how in-kind compensation is treated.

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 Posted on November 19, 2025 in Sexual Harassment

A new study is shedding light on the different behaviors bystanders may exhibit when they witness sexual harassment in the workplace. The study identifies three distinct types of bystander intervention profiles, which offer insights for workplace sexual assault prevention programs. The choices made by those who witness workplace sexual harassment are shaped by the overall culture of the organization as well as the individual’s emotions and moral code.

If an organization has a zero-tolerance response to sexual harassment, the reaction of witnesses is far more likely to respond with confrontation and anger against the harasser. Organizations that avoid dealing with sexual harassment (775 ILCS 5/), particularly when it involves higher-level employees, tend to have workers who also refrain from intervening.  If you have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, you must seek legal assistance from a Wheaton, IL sexual harassment attorney as quickly as possible to ensure your rights are protected.  

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 Posted on October 30, 2025 in Divorce

Over the past few years, cryptocurrency and NFTs have moved from out-of-the-ordinary to mainstream investments. Because of this, Illinois divorce courts are seeing a new wave of concealed assets between spouses. One spouse can now hide significant value in digital collectibles, blockchain wallets, or decentralized exchanges – none of which appear on a traditional bank statement.

Under Illinois law (750 ILCS 5/503), all marital property must be disclosed and equitably divided, including digital assets. However, tracing crypto or NFTs may require forensic experts, subpoenas to trading platforms, and a technical understanding of digital assets. If you suspect your spouse is hiding digital assets from you, it is essential to understand how Illinois family courts handle these assets. An experienced DuPage County, IL divorce attorney can help you navigate this relatively new area of financial assets.

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 Posted on October 30, 2025 in Family Law

As discussions regarding gender identity and gender-affirming care grow in intensity across the nation, Illinois has emerged as a state that explicitly protects access to gender-affirming care. Those same protections, however, can create difficult legal questions when divorced or separated parents disagree about treatment for their minor child. Under Illinois family law, decision-making authority over medical care is determined in parenting plans or under the allocation of parental responsibility (750 ILCS 5/602.7) judgments.

Despite this, disputes over gender-affirming therapy, puberty blockers, or social transition test the limits of parental rights and the child’s best interests. Should you find yourself in such a position, being aware of the evolving legal protections under Illinois law is crucial. An experienced Kane County, IL family law attorney can help you navigate these issues, always looking out for your child’s best interests.

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 Posted on October 30, 2025 in Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is not always confined to the office. Many employees are sexually harassed by a co-worker or superior outside the office, but within professional contexts (networking events, trade shows, bar events, conferences, and business travel). Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, harassment that occurs "in connection with work," even when it takes place off-site or after hours, can expose the harasser and the employer to serious consequences.

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 Posted on October 21, 2025 in Divorce

In Illinois divorces – especially high-asset divorces – long-term maintenance or spousal support can feel like a financial tether between exes that will never end. For some, the solution is a maintenance buyout, which is a one-time, lump-sum payment that replaces future monthly spousal support (750 ILCS 5/504). A maintenance buyout is not the right choice for every situation, but in some instances, it can offer tax predictability while firmly closing a door to the past.

Illinois courts tend to be cautious when considering maintenance buyouts, since a lack of legal clarity or using the wrong valuation method can result in disputes down the line. If you are wondering whether a maintenance buyout could be right for you, speaking to an experienced St. Charles, IL spousal support lawyer is your best course of action.

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 Posted on October 21, 2025 in Sexual Harassment

Workers in hotels and casinos often face unique safety risks and higher levels of sexual harassment. Because these employees frequently perform duties alone in guest rooms, restrooms, and on the casino floor, they are vulnerable to sexual assault, harassment, and other threats. Illinois was one of the first states to recognize this fact, enacting the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act (820 ILCS 325).

This Act mandates protections and reporting procedures for hospitality workers. The industry itself often prioritizes customer experience, leading to a culture where sexual harassment is normalized and employees feel pressure to "deal with it." Most surveys show that a high percentage of hotel and casino workers have experienced sexual harassment from guests, managers, co-workers, or all three.  

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 Posted on October 21, 2025 in Family Law

Allegations of parental alienation and emotional abuse are among the most complex disputes in Illinois family courts. While both parental alienation and emotional abuse affect the well-being of the child as well as a parent’s relationship with that child, there are differences between the two.

Determining parental responsibilities and parenting time can be difficult enough during a divorce. After these decisions are made, other situations that pit one parent’s word against the other’s may arise.  One parent may claim parental alienation while the other asserts that limits are necessary to protect the child. Illinois family court judges must be able to distinguish genuine emotional abuse from alienation, manipulation, or retaliation.

Psychological experts, guardians ad litem, and Section 604.10(b) evaluations can help make those decisions. If you and your ex are involved in allegations of parental alienation or emotional abuse, you must speak to a knowledgeable Wheaton, IL family law attorney to help you determine your best course of action.

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 Posted on September 30, 2025 in Family Law

Child custody – now known in Illinois family courts as the allocation of parental responsibilities – can be impacted by any number of issues. But can a parent’s "alternative" living arrangements affect the allocation of parental responsibilities or parenting time? There are many choices today when it comes to living arrangements. A parent might choose a tiny home, a multi-generational household, a co-housing community, or any number of other options.

While these living arrangements may be innovative, supportive, and/or cost-effective, they may also raise questions in family court. If one parent believes the other has strayed too far from "traditional" housing, he or she may attempt to use this to gain an advantage in court. Although all Illinois family courts make decisions based on the best interests of the child, alternative housing choices can definitely introduce yet another consideration when these decisions are being made.

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