Illinois Divorce Guide | Expert Advice for Navigating Divorce in Illinois

Divorce doesn’t have to drag on for months (or even years) but the way you approach it can make all the difference. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast, we’re celebrating one full year of the show and diving into a powerful, solution-focused conversation: how to keep your divorce moving forward instead of getting stuck in frustration, conflict, and costly delays. If you’re in the...

Divorce horror stories are everywhere, especially the ones that seem to drag on for years. But does it really have to be that way? In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , we’re breaking down the truth about divorce timelines and why some cases move quickly while others feel like they never end. If you’ve ever wondered what actually causes delays in the divorce process (and how to a...

Divorce can be one of the most emotional and overwhelming experiences in life and while support from others can be incredibly valuable, too many voices can sometimes make the process even harder. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast, Greer Howard and family law attorney Bobby Buchanan discuss how to set healthy boundaries during a divorce and why being selective about who you conf...

When you’re going through a divorce, the news rarely stays private for long. Once friends, family, and even distant acquaintances hear about it, opinions start pouring in — advice, stories, warnings, and sometimes pressure about what you “should” do next. But not all advice is helpful. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , we talk about how your inner circle can influence your di...

Calling a divorce attorney can feel like crossing a line you can’t uncross. For many people, that first consultation represents a pivotal and emotional moment — a realization that the marriage may truly be ending. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Bobby Buchanan and Greer Howard break down exactly what to expect in your first meeting with a divorce lawyer and how to determine...

When parents go through a divorce, one of the most emotionally charged words that comes up is “fair.” In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and Bobby Buchanan continue their conversation about fairness in divorce—this time through the lens that matters most: the children. They break down why divorce often feels unfair, why that feeling is completely normal, and why t...

When people begin the divorce process, one word comes up again and again: fair . But what does “fair” actually mean under Illinois divorce law and is it even something the court is designed to deliver? In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and Bobby Buchanan unpack why the idea of fairness can be one of the most emotionally charged (and misleading) expectations in di...

Divorce doesn’t just change your relationship — it reshapes your finances in ways many parents don’t expect. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard is joined by top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan to break down one of the most misunderstood (and emotionally charged) financial realities of divorce: how parenting time and child support directly impact your fina...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , host Greer Howard and Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan continue their conversation on the hidden financial “money drains” that can quietly derail a divorce. This week’s focus zeroes in on one of the most expensive and underestimated costs of divorce: conflict. Bobby explains how even small disagreements can snowball into months of lit...

Divorce is emotionally hard but for many people, the financial shock is what hits the hardest. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast, host Greer Howard sits down with Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan to kick off a new series on the 10 harsh financial truths of divorce starting with the realities no one likes to talk about. Together, they break down four critical financial t...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast, Greer Howard and Bobby Buchanan wrap up their series on temporary parenting time hearings by focusing on what happens after the hearing and how to move forward calmly, strategically, and child-focused. Bobby explains what to expect once a judge issues a temporary ruling, how to live out a court-ordered schedule, and how these temporary decisio...

Stepping into a courtroom for the first time can feel intimidating especially when the stakes involve your children. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan continue their conversation about temporary parenting time hearings, focusing on what actually happens inside the courtroom and how to prepare yourself mentally and emot...

Going to court for a temporary parenting time hearing can feel intimidating especially when your kids are involved. In this episode, top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan walks you through exactly what to expect before a temporary parenting plan hearing so you can show up prepared, confident, and child-focused. They cover how to prepare for court, what documents actually matter (and which o...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and top Illinois family law attorney Bobby Buchanan dive deep into one of the most confusing parts of child support: add-ons. These extra expenses like health insurance, uncovered medical bills, childcare, daycare, extracurricular activities, and school costs can often make up the bulk of the financial impact during and after div...

Child support is one of the most confusing and most emotionally charged parts of the divorce process. In this eye-opening episode, Greer and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan break down exactly how child support is calculated in Illinois using real numbers, real examples, and the actual state calculator. Bobby walks through how the “income shares” model works, why net income—not gross—m...

Deciding whether to move out during a divorce is one of the most emotional and confusing questions people face. Will you lose time with your kids? Will moving out impact custody or child support? What happens to the mortgage, bills, or the equity in your home? In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan break down the myths,...

In part three of our 90-day divorce roadmap, Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan break down what to expect in days 61–90 of the process when things start to get real . This stage is all about negotiation, potential mediation, and deciding whether discovery is necessary. Bobby shares why this is the “meaty” part of a divorce case, how most uncontested divorces can still wr...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive into the second phase of the divorce process - what to expect and what to prioritize between days 31 and 60 after the case officially begins. Bobby breaks down what an “appearance” actually is, why it matters, and how this simple document signals that the divorce is officially...

The first 30 days after filing for divorce can feel like a whirlwind — full of emotions, unanswered questions, and new realities. In this episode, Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan break down what really happens during this crucial first phase of the process. From understanding what it means to “serve” your spouse and how long they have to respond, to managing communica...

If you’re approaching the final stretch before filing for divorce, you’re not alone and chances are, you have a lot of questions. In this episode, Greer Howard and Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan tackle the 10 most common questions people ask during the crucial “pre-divorce” period. From whether you should move out, open a separate bank account, or start dating again, to how long the proc...

Divorce can feel like a pressure cooker—emotions are high, stress is constant, and one wrong move can turn everything into chaos. In this episode, top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan shares how to take control of the storm and choose diplomacy over drama in the crucial 90 days leading up to divorce. Bobby explains why emotional regulation is the foundation of a smoother divorce process, h...

In this listener Q&A episode of The Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan tackle real questions from listeners navigating the challenges of divorce. From whether to shut down a joint bank account before filing to how courts handle kids’ extracurricular costs, Bobby breaks down the “smart, fast, and private” approach to making sound legal...

In today’s world, nearly every part of our lives is online from our phones and tablets to streaming accounts and shared calendars. But when divorce enters the picture, all that digital connectivity can turn into a source of stress, confusion, and even conflict. In this episode, Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive into how to protect your digital privacy during a divo...

Life doesn’t stand still after divorce—kids grow up, jobs change, and circumstances shift. But what happens when your divorce agreement no longer fits your reality? In this episode, Greer Howard and family law attorney Bobby Buchanan dive into what you can and cannot modify after a divorce is finalized.  They cover: The difference between property division (final) vs. custody, parenting time, and...

When divorce involves a business, the stakes and the questions grow quickly. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide , Greer Howard talks with top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan about how owning a business affects the divorce process and what steps can help protect both your livelihood and your peace of mind. In this episode:  Determining whether a business is marital or non-marita...