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New Illinois Laws Expand Protections for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors
Reaching out for help after domestic violence or sexual assault is often difficult, and it is often not a single step. A survivor may need help from multiple resources, such as law enforcement, the courts, a hospital, and a local advocacy organization, sometimes all...
Illinois’ New Property Tax Sale Law: Why It Matters During Family Changes
A home is often one of the most valuable assets a family owns. It can also become one more bill that gets missed during a divorce, death, illness or other major life change. Illinois changed its property tax sale law on July 10, 2026. Public Act 104-0553 gives many...
When Debt Is Part of the Abuse: Illinois’ New Coerced Debt Laws
Gwendolyn J. Sterk speaks with consumer protection attorney James “Jim” Smith, Co-Founder of Fair Credit Attorneys, about what coerced debt is, how it differs from traditional identity theft, and what the new law may mean for survivors of domestic violence and...
Illinois Expands Domestic Violence Protections to Include Digital Harassment
Abuse does not always end when a relationship does because sometimes it may move online. A person may leave the home, block a phone number, and change their passwords, only to find out they are still being tracked through an app or vehicle. An ex may create new...
Who Gets the Dog After a Breakup in Illinois? How Rosie’s Law Changes Pet Custody in 2027
When a relationship ends, deciding who keeps the pet can quickly become one of the most emotional parts of the separation. It does not matter whether the couple was married for 20 years, engaged, living together, roommates, or simply sharing a home. To the people...
What Are Mental Health Living Rooms in Illinois?
When people hear the term "living room", most people assume the room in a home that is used for relaxing, socializing, or entertaining. But there is another type of living room that has slowly been emerging in communities, and it is time more people started talking...
Illinois’ Digital Asset Tax Act: What Crypto Owners Should Know Before 2027
Crypto Isn't Just for Tech Enthusiasts Anymore A few years ago, owning cryptocurrency felt like something reserved for tech enthusiasts, seasoned investors, or that one friend who couldn't stop talking about Bitcoin at every backyard barbecue. Today, is a different...
Life After Divorce: Relief, Grief, and Everything In Between
When you think about divorce, your mind probably goes straight to the legal side of things: the paperwork, court dates, splitting up bank accounts, making the parenting schedule and of course, signing that final judgment. Those milestones matter, and they're a big...
Illinois Minimum Wage Increase: Could It Affect Child Support or Spousal Support?
When the minimum wage goes up, most people think about one thing: bigger paychecks. If you have a parenting agreement for child support or a spousal maintenance agreement in place, you may be wondering whether a minimum wage increase could affect what you pay or...
Illinois May Change How Child Support Is Calculated in 2027
When people hear “child support changes,” the reactions are usually immediate: “Does this mean a 50/50 schedule will result in no child support?” “Do I need to change my parenting schedule?” “Should I start counting overnights?” Proposed Illinois child support changes...