Posted on February 28, 2026 in Family Law

Parenting time for special needs children can be much more complicated than for other kids. Unfortunately, marriages involving special needs children are much more likely to end in divorce. A study from the National Library of Medicine shows that parents of children with autism had almost twice the divorce rate of a control group.

Is a 50/50 parenting time arrangement going to be good for your child with unique medical, emotional, or developmental needs? If you're not sure, a Kane County family law attorney can help you with a parenting plan that prioritizes your child's wellbeing in 2026 and beyond.

Does Illinois Law Say Anything About Parenting Time for Special Needs Children?

There are no separate legal rules about special needs children. The question is not whether your child deserves equal time with both parents; it's whether equal parenting time serves their best interests. Under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, courts must consider the best interests of any child when making decisions about parenting time. This includes looking at the child's needs, each parent's ability to meet those needs, and the child's adjustment to their home, school, and community.

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 Posted on February 11, 2026 in Family Law

When parents disagree about parental responsibilities or parenting time, the court sometimes needs help deciding what is best for the child. In these cases, a guardian ad litem may be helpful.

When parents cannot agree on custody terms, or when there are concerns that one parent may be improperly awarded custody, a party may seek the appointment of a guardian ad litem (GAL). Understanding the role of a GAL, the circumstances under which a court may appoint one, and how that appointment can affect a custody case can help parties better anticipate the process and prepare as the case proceeds. If you have questions about your parenting case in 2026, a St. Charles custody attorney can explain your options.

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

A Guardian ad Litem, (GAL), is a neutral, professional person chosen by the court to represent a child's best interests during the case. Illinois requires GALs to be licensed attorneys. A GAL will investigate the child's situation and make recommendations to the court. The GAL does not represent either parent.

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 Posted on February 11, 2026 in Family Law

Many couples live separately before deciding whether they should divorce. This is often easier than jumping straight into the divorce process. Separating can give you the feeling that there is still time to figure things out. It may also be hard for you to give up the financial benefits of being married. However, long-term separations can create some legal and financial problems that make your situation worse, not better.

If you have been separated from your spouse for months or years in 2026, it may be time to decide if divorce is the better choice. Understanding the risks of extended separation can help you make an informed decision about your future. A DuPage County divorce attorney can help you look at your situation and determine the best path forward.

Separation Versus Divorce in Illinois

While there is a legal process called "legal separation" under law 750 ILCS 5/402, most couples who separate never go through this formal process. Instead, they simply move into different homes and live separately. This is called "informal separation."

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 Posted on February 11, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

While sexual harassment has been officially illegal since the 1980s, it has remained an issue in workplaces. In recent years, sexual harassment has led to worker strikes and outside reviews of companies. Everyone from celebrities to ordinary workers have become advocates against it. About 10 years ago, there was a surge of sexual harassment reform, started largely by the #MeToo movement.

Many companies have responded with updated policies. The question now is: Are things better in 2026? Have the statistics on workplace sexual harassment improved?

Even if the answer is "yes," that doesn’t mean it has stopped altogether. If you are currently experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace, a DuPage County harassment attorney can help you understand your rights and legal options.

Have Sexual Harassment Reports Decreased?

There is evidence that reports of sexual harassment have dropped. Different sources give somewhat different pictures of the situation. The Clayman Institute for Gender Research says that reports in federal workplaces declined by more than 50 percent between 1987 and 2016. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) reported that in the two years after #MeToo kicked off, reporting increased.

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 Posted on January 23, 2026 in Family Law

Sometimes a parent cannot care for their child due to substance abuse, incarceration, or financial hardship. Other times, a parent may want their child to grow up with family members who can give them a better life with more opportunities.

Illinois allows adoption by other family members. The process can actually be easier than other types of adoption, but you will still want to understand the ins and outs. If you’re thinking about adopting your sibling's child or other family member, our DuPage County family law attorneys can guide you through each step of the process.

How Does Relative Adoption Work in Illinois?

Relative adoption, also called "kinship adoption," is when a family member legally adopts a child related to them. In Illinois, relatives who can adopt include grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and step-parents. The state generally wants to keep children with family if possible. According to the American Bar Association, kinship adoption reduces trauma for children, improves their wellbeing, and improves behavioral and mental health.

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 Posted on January 23, 2026 in Family Law

When a family member cannot make important decisions on their own due to a disability, you may want – or need – to become their legal guardian. "Guardianship" is a big responsibility that gives you legal authority to make decisions for someone who cannot make them alone.

In 2026, many Illinois families are caring for disabled adults. These family members need help managing their finances, healthcare, and daily living. If you are considering guardianship for a disabled adult, our Kane County guardianship attorneys can help you understand the process.

What is Guardianship for a Disabled Adult?

"Guardianship" is where a court gives one person the authority to make decisions for another person who cannot make those decisions themselves. The person who needs help is called the "ward," and the person making decisions is the "guardian."

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 Posted on January 23, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

Having coworkers who are dating can be complicated, to say the least. It’s not uncommon to hear about coworkers who are dating and whose unprofessional behavior makes everyone around them uncomfortable. Especially for those higher up the chain of command, it can be hard to know what to call this behavior or how to address it. 

If you have coworkers or employees creating an unpleasant environment in 2026, our Wheaton sexual harassment attorneys can help you understand what the situation is and if you have legal grounds to address it.

What Qualifies as Sexual Harassment Under Illinois Law?

Sexual harassment at work happens when unwelcome sexual conduct interferes with your ability to do your job or creates a difficult work environment. Under the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-102), sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

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 Posted on January 08, 2026 in Family Law

Life keeps moving after divorce. You might switch jobs, one parent may need to move to a new city, and no matter what, your children continue to grow and change.

When these life changes happen, you may find that your parenting plan no longer fits your family's needs. If you are wondering if you can adjust your parenting arrangement in 2026, a DuPage County child custody lawyer can help you understand Illinois modification laws and help you plan your next steps.

What Parts of a Parenting Plan Can Be Changed?

Illinois law divides parenting plans into two main parts:

• The "allocation of parental responsibilities" covers who makes important decisions about your child's education, health care, religion, and other activities. Before, this was called "legal custody." 

• "Parenting time" is the schedule when your child stays with each parent. This used to be called "visitation." 

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 Posted on January 08, 2026 in Family Law

Separation and divorce can be very difficult for children. The way parents treat one another can make a huge difference in how a child processes the parents' separation. If negative feelings between parents continue after a divorce, some parents may do something called "parental undue influence."

If you have recently gotten divorced and are worried that your child’s other parent is influencing them against you, contact our Kane County family law attorneys right away.

What is Parental Undue Influence?

In some divorces, one parent may try to manipulate a child's thoughts and feelings about the other parent in negative ways. The parent might speak badly about the other parent, tell lies about them, or pressure the child to take sides. This is called "parental undue influence." It is closely related to "parental alienation," and it can cause serious psychological damage to children.

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 Posted on January 08, 2026 in Sexual Harassment

If you are dealing with sexual harassment at work in DuPage County, new changes to Illinois law offer you stronger protections. On January 1, 2026, important updates to the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act took effect. These changes make it harder for employers to silence you if you speak up about harassment.

Understanding these new protections can help you feel more confident about reporting what is happening to you. Whether you are facing unwanted touching, inappropriate comments, or other forms of harassment, you now have more tools to protect yourself.

Our DuPage County sexual harassment attorneys take time to listen to our clients’ cases. When our clients are ready, we work to ensure cases of serious workplace harassment are brought to justice. Call us today for a private consultation.

What is the Workplace Transparency Act, and What Does It Do?

The Illinois Workplace Transparency Act (820 ILCS 96) is a law, first created about five years ago, that is meant to stop employers from trying to force you to stay quiet about workplace harassment and discrimination. Some employers used to make workers sign non-disclosure agreements or confidentiality clauses that prevented them from talking about harassment that happened at work. This made it difficult for victims to get help or warn others about dangerous situations.

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