It seems like a paradox: in order for children to be safe, they need less autonomy. Not in the way of chores, or homework, or walking to a friend's house alone. Rather, children should not be put in a position to make adult decisions--decisions that give them power over adults. One of my favorite analogies for this comes from Dr. Becky Kennedy, a parenting advice expert. If an airline pilot announces that there are mechanical issues and the plane needs to make an emergency landing, the...

January is one of the busiest months for divorce in Illinois. The holidays are over, routines are back, and a lot of people quietly realize: I can’t do another year like this. If that’s you, pause for a moment. Filing first and thinking later is one of the most expensive mistakes people make in divorce. What you do before you file can have a major impact on your finances, your parenting time, and how much control you keep over the process. Here’s what you should know before filing for...

Thanksgiving can be one of the hardest holidays for divorced or separated families. Expectations are high, emotions run deep, and extended family members often have strong opinions about what should happen. If you share parenting time with an ex, the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving can be stressful and sometimes the day itself doesn’t go as planned. As family law attorneys that work with parents across Northern Illinois, we see the same themes every year. Here are some practical strategies...