by Gwendolyn Sterk | Apr 23, 2026 | All Posts, Divorce, General Family Law, Other Legal Matters
Most people think filing for divorce is the starting line, but once the process is started, it also activates a pause button. The moment a dissolution case is filed in Illinois, something important kicks in behind the scenes: it is called an automatic stay, or an...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Apr 13, 2026 | Other Legal Matters
We hear this more often than you would think: “I recorded it just in case I needed proof.” We understand that people are trying to protect themselves and are trying to make sure their side of the story is heard. However, in Illinois, recording conversations without...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Mar 30, 2026 | Divorce, Family, Finance
There’s a moment in almost every divorce where things stop feeling theoretical and get very real. For most, it is once they retain, but for many, it usually happens when they are tasked with completing a financial affidavit. The financial affidavit is a document that...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Mar 26, 2026 | Estate Planning, Family
We all like to think we have plenty of time. It’s a lie that we tell ourselves so we can focus on day-to-day. The truth is that life doesn’t always give you a heads-up. A single phone call or one accident on the highway can change everything. In the span of a...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Mar 26, 2026 | Child Support, Family, Financials
When people think about divorce or parenting plans, they think about schedules. Holidays. Child support. School pickups. Tax credits usually do not make the list, until tax season arrives. In 2026, the Child Tax Credit increased and when tax benefits increase,...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Mar 2, 2026 | Divorce
We hear this all the time: “Isn’t everything automatically just split down the middle?” No. Not in Illinois. Illinois is what’s called an equitable division state. That means property is divided fairly, not automatically 50/50. Sometimes fair looks equal and...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Feb 17, 2026 | Divorce, Financials
If you live in Illinois, you know that property taxes and state income taxes can quickly become a heavy burden. In the past, the federal deduction for these costs, known as the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, was limited and left many families paying more than...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Feb 12, 2026 | All Posts, Divorce
How Mortgages and Refinancing Impact Illinois Divorce Deciding who keeps the “marital home” is one of the most emotional hurdles in a divorce. While much of this desire is centered on memories and stability for children, the financial reality is often...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Feb 3, 2026 | All Posts, Family, Paternity & Parentage
The Equality for Every Family Act updates Illinois parentage laws to better reflect how families are legally formed today. The Act includes expansions to incorporate LGBTQ+ families, blended families, and families created through assisted reproduction, such as...
by Gwendolyn Sterk | Jan 16, 2026 | All Posts, Domestic Violence
Illinois Law Expands Domestic Violence Protections for Employees Beginning January 1, 2026, Illinois employees will have legal protection if they use a work-issued phone, computer, or other device to document domestic violence or another violent crime committed...
