Anderson Boback & Marshall Blog
DIY Maintenance Agreements: 5 Expensive Mistakes to Avoid in Illinois
You want to finish your Illinois divorce without surprises. One vague sentence in your maintenance agreement can cost you thousands or trap you in payments you never intended. In Illinois, the difference between ‘non-modifiable’ and ‘non-modifiable amount’ isn’t just semantics. It’s the difference between certainty and years of litigation. Problems we see again and again are calling a
How to Protect Your Child When Parenting Time Feels Unsafe in Illinois
When your child’s safety is at risk during parenting time, you need to act quickly and correctly. Illinois courts will restrict parenting time when serious endangerment is proven, but vague concerns or disorganized evidence will not be enough. This article explains what serious endangerment means in plain English, how judges weigh best-interest factors, the types of limits a
Does Your Child Need a Guardian Ad Litem or Child Representative?
Protecting the best interests of the child is paramount in child-related cases. In most Illinois family law cases involving children, the child’s best interests are usually protected by at least one parent or by both parents. In the case where neither parent can agree on what is in the best interest of their child, the court on its
Holiday Parenting Time in Illinois: A Practical Guide for Divorced and Separated Parents
Divorced parents face many challenges during the holidays. Planning can be difficult, especially when it’s unclear where the children will be for specific holidays. Even a temporary order with a holiday parenting schedule helps provide certainty. Holidays are already challenging in a family with separate households, and uncertainty only adds stress for the children. Cooperation and planning are
The Parent’s Documentation Checklist: Building Your Custody Case in Illinois
If you’re preparing for an Illinois custody case (allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time), your documents tell the court what day-to-day life looks like for your child. This Illinois custody documentation checklist maps directly to the “best interests” factors in 750 ILCS 5/602.7 so you gather what matters and gather it lawfully. Inside, you’ll find a factor-by-factor list of
Communication, Compassion, and Clarity in Family Law
When I first thought about law school, I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to practice law. Psychology was the other path I considered, and I spent a lot of time going back and forth between the two. I’ve always been drawn to helping people: listening, offering guidance, being the person others come to when they need advice. Psychology
Cheap vs. Value in Illinois Divorce: Why the Lowest Price Can Cost You More
When you’re staring at divorce costs, the lowest price can look like relief. In Illinois, that “deal” often means thin drafting and little analysis. The result? Support you can’t adjust, parenting terms that spark repeat fights, or a 401(k) share that never pays because the order isn’t plan-ready. Value isn’t about paying more; it’s about paying once for terms that work in
