What happens if I am held in contempt of court in Illinois?

A judge can hold you in contempt if you willfully fail to follow a court order. Penalties include fines, wage garnishment, and jail time. In family law cases, contempt can also affect your parenting time or custody arrangement. Acting through the legal system is always safer than ignoring an order.

How long do I have to file a motion to reconsider a court order in Illinois?

You have 30 days from the date the judgment is entered to file a motion to reconsider. Missing this deadline can eliminate your ability to challenge the order at the trial court level. If you believe a ruling was incorrect, contacting an attorney quickly is essential.

Can a court order be changed if both spouses agree in Illinois?

Yes. If both parties agree to new terms, they can submit an agreed order or modified judgment for the court's approval. However, the court must still find the agreement reasonable and in the best interests of any children involved. An attorney can help ensure the modified order is properly drafted and enforceable.

What counts as a substantial change in circumstances to modify a court order?

Common examples include a significant change in income, job loss, a serious health issue, or a major shift in a child's needs or living situation. The change must be material and ongoing, not temporary. Courts do not grant modifications based on minor fluctuations or circumstances that existed at the time of the original order.

What is the difference between a motion to modify and an appeal in Illinois?

A motion to modify asks the same court to update an order based on changed circumstances or new information. An appeal asks a higher court to review whether the lower court made a legal error. Modifications address what has changed; appeals address what went wrong. They serve different purposes and have different deadlines and standards.

How long does it take to modify a court order in Illinois?

The timeline varies depending on complexity, court scheduling, and whether both parties agree. An uncontested modification can sometimes be resolved in a few weeks. A contested modification involving hearings and evidence can take several months. Acting quickly after circumstances change improves your position and reduces exposure to enforcement actions.

What if my ex is not complying with a court order in Illinois?

You can file a petition for a rule to show cause, asking the court to hold the non-compliant party in contempt. If granted, the court can impose fines, modify custody or support terms, or order jail time in serious cases. Documenting each violation thoroughly strengthens your petition.

Laura Darby, Author at Anderson Boback & Marshall

What if I Don’t Want to Comply With a Court Order?

Posted By Laura Darby

Published June 22, 2026

Categorized as Divorce, Family Law, Illinois Divorce

Let me start with some crucial advice: If a court orders you to do something, you need to comply with a court order in Illinois, whether you agree with the order or not. Ignoring it could result in serious consequences, such as fines, wage garnishment, or even jail time. If you believe an order is

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Posted By Laura Darby

Published June 16, 2026

Categorized as Divorce, Prenuptial Agreements

If you are considering a prenuptial agreement, you are probably not looking for a broad definition. You want to know whether it can protect the business you built, the inheritance your family expects to pass down, the retirement you have already earned, the home you owned before marriage, or the financial structure you want in

How Are Millennial Prenuptial Agreements Different?

Posted By Laura Darby

Published June 4, 2026

Categorized as Prenuptial Agreements

From our experience as Chicago family law attorneys, prenuptial agreements between or involving millennials look different than prenuptial agreements from earlier generations. Millennials tend to focus closely on risk versus reward, and they are marrying later in life, which means they bring more of everything into the marriage, including both assets and debt. What has

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Posted By Laura Darby

Published May 12, 2026

Categorized as Property Division

You fought hard for your divorce settlement. The judge signed the judgment. You thought the hardest part was over. Now your ex-spouse refuses to follow through, and you are left wondering if your divorce decree is worth the paper it is printed on. Illinois courts have authority to enforce divorce judgments. Under 750 ILCS 5/508,

How Child Custody Cases Work in Cook County Family Court

Posted By Laura Darby

Published May 5, 2026

Categorized as Child Custody

You are about to go through one of the most stressful legal processes a parent can face. If you have never been inside the Daley Center or dealt with Cook County’s Domestic Relations Division, you probably have no idea what to expect. That is understandable. The process is complex, the rules are county-specific, and the

What to Bring to Your Illinois Family Law Trial

Posted By Laura Darby

Published September 6, 2025

Categorized as Child Custody, Divorce, Family Law

If you’re heading into a family law trial, you may be feeling stressed, uncertain, or even intimidated by what lies ahead. That’s completely normal. Whether your case involves parenting time, financial matters, or dividing property, trial day can feel like the moment everything comes to a head. This blog post outlines what to bring, what

Author: Laura Darby

What if I Don’t Want to Comply With a Court Order?

What an Illinois Prenuptial Agreement Can and Cannot Cover

How Are Millennial Prenuptial Agreements Different?

Your Divorce Is Final, But Your Ex Will Not Comply. What Are Your Options?

How Child Custody Cases Work in Cook County Family Court

What to Bring to Your Illinois Family Law Trial