Stay-at-Home Parents and Divorce in Illinois
Being a working parent is tough. Being a stay-at-home parent? That’s a full-time job without vacation days, sick leave, or a paycheck—and yet, it's one of the most valuable roles in any household. If you’ve dedicated yourself to raising your children and managing your home while your spouse built a career, you may now be facing a painful question: What happens to me if we divorce?
What Is Implied Consent in Illinois?
Implied consent means that when you drive on Illinois roads, you are automatically agreeing to submit to chemical testing (breath, blood, or urine) if a law enforcement officer suspects you of driving under the influence (DUI). Illinois has legal limits for blood alcohol content (BAC). The state assumes that if you’re driving, you’re doing so within those limits.
Illinois Uncontested Divorce: Is This Right For You?
An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse are able to agree on all the major aspects of your separation—without needing a judge to decide for you. This includes:
A parenting plan (including who makes major decisions)
Parenting time (custody and visitation schedules)
Child support
Spousal support (if any)
Division of marital property
Division of debts
Underage DUI Laws in Illinois
If you’re under 21 and caught driving with any trace of alcohol in your system in Illinois, you’re in serious legal territory. Illinois follows a Zero Tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving. That means any amount of alcohol in your system can land you with a DUI charge and license suspension.
Divorce in Illinois: Keeping the Family Home
If you want to keep your home after a divorce in Illinois, understanding the legal, financial, and practical considerations is key. With the help of an experienced divorce attorney, you can protect your interests and make informed decisions about your future. Deciding whether to keep, sell, or co-own your home is a major decision during divorce. Understanding your legal rights and financial situation will help you make the best choice for your future.
Charged With a Hit & Run in Illinois?
A hit-and-run occurs when a driver leaves the scene of an accident without offering help or sharing their information—especially when someone is injured or killed. Illinois law requires you to stay at the scene if there’s any injury, death, or property damage. In Illinois, this isn't just a traffic ticket—it could be a felony offense with serious legal consequences.
Firearms Restraining Orders in Lake County, Illinois
The Firearms Restraining Order Act is a new Illinois law that lets you ask the court to temporarily take away firearms from someone in your family or household if they pose a danger to themselves or others. This isn’t about punishing someone—it’s about preventing violence before it occurs.
Breath Activated Ignition Interlock Devices (BAIID) in Illinois
A BAIID Device is a small breathalyzer installed in your car. In Illinois, anyone convicted of DUI may be required to install a BAIID on any car they drive. This is often a condition for regaining driving privileges after a suspension. This device is provided by a private company and comes with a monthly fee and possibly added fees for installation, monitoring, calibration, and removal.
3 Key Child Custody Terms in a Lake County, Illinois Divorce
If you’re a parent considering divorce for the first time, you’re not expected to be an expert. But understanding the basics can go a long way toward helping you make confident, informed decisions for yourself and your children. That's why we're breaking down the most common child custody terms you’re likely to hear in Illinois family law court.
Missing Your Traffic Court Date in Illinois
Maybe you forgot. Maybe something came up. But missing your traffic court date can lead to some serious consequences in Illinois. Whether it's a speeding ticket or something more serious, not showing up in court isn’t something you want to ignore.
Can My Ex Move Out of Illinois With Our Child?
What happens when your ex wants to pack up and move out of Illinois with your child? Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, a custodial parent (or one with majority parenting time) can’t just move anywhere they want with your child.
Parenting Plans in An Illinois Divorce
One of the most important legal documents in a divorce involving children is the parenting plan. This agreement outlines how you and your ex-spouse will share responsibilities and make decisions regarding your child’s upbringing. Understanding what goes into a parenting plan is essential for creating a smooth co-parenting relationship and ensuring that your child’s best interests are protected.
Prescription Drugs & DUIs in Illinois
Most people assume that DUIs only apply to alcohol or illegal drugs, but in Illinois, you can be charged with a DUI for legally prescribed medications if they impair your ability to drive. Even if a doctor prescribes your medication, you are still legally responsible for ensuring it doesn’t impair your ability to drive.
Divorce and College Tuition in Illinois
In Illinois, divorced parents can be legally required to help pay for a child’s college education, even after the child turns 18. Illinois family law is built around one major goal: minimizing the negative impact of divorce on kids. The courts try to ensure that children of divorced parents have the same opportunities they might have had if their parents stayed together—including higher education. So while married parents can choose not to contribute to college, divorced parents might not have that luxury
Should You Refuse a Breathalyzer in Illinois?
In Illinois, the law states that by simply driving on public roads, you give implied consent to blood alcohol content (BAC) testing. However, there’s a major catch—this consent only applies if you’ve already been arrested for DUI. Whether you take the test or refuse, the most important step is to contact an experienced DUI defense attorney immediately.
How Social Media Can Impact Your Illinois Divorce
Understanding the potential impact of social media on your divorce can help you make smarter decisions, both online and in court. What you post online—no matter how harmless it may seem—can become evidence that affects everything from asset division to child custody. A few small changes in your online behavior could save you time, money, and stress.
Field Sobriety Tests In Illinois
Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) are designed to help police officers determine whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol. But here’s what most people don’t realize—these tests aren’t foolproof. Even sober individuals can fail due to medical conditions, nervousness, or uneven pavement. Knowing your rights and understanding how these tests work can make all the difference if you ever find yourself in this situation.
Understanding No-Fault Divorce in Illinois
Divorce is never easy, but in Illinois, the process has been simplified to focus on resolution rather than blame. In the past, one spouse had to prove "fault"—whether it was adultery, abandonment, or cruelty—to justify ending a marriage. Today, that’s no longer the case. Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, meaning the only reason you need to cite is "irreconcilable differences."
When Does Illinois Restrict Parenting Time?
The Illinois family court strives to ensure that children maintain strong connections with both parents, even after a divorce or separation. In most custody cases, both parents are granted parenting time with their child—though it may not always be an equal split. Courts generally believe that spending time with both parents is in the child’s best interests. However, in some cases, the court may find it necessary to impose restrictions on one parent’s parenting time.
Misdemeanor & Felony DUI Charges in Illinois
Getting charged with a DUI is terrifying—but if you’re facing a felony DUI in Illinois, the stakes are even higher. A felony conviction could mean years in prison, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record. While most DUIs are misdemeanors, certain circumstances automatically elevate the charge to a felony—even for first-time offenders. An experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to reduce your charges or even get them dismissed.