Illinois Divorce Guide | Expert Advice for Navigating Divorce in Illinois

What happens when you’re ready to move forward with a divorce but your spouse isn’t? In this episode, Greer Howard and Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive into one of the most emotionally charged situations in family law: when one spouse wants out, and the other wants to stay. They break down: Why emotional timelines rarely match up between spouses The importance of clarity before filing...

Your home can feel like the heart of your family and during divorce, decisions about it can be emotional and confusing. In this episode, Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan unpack the most common myths about what happens to the house when a marriage ends. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: Why “I bought it before marriage, so it’s mine” isn’t always true under Illi...

Choosing the right divorce attorney can set the tone for your entire case. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan break down what really matters when hiring a lawyer. They discuss the different “types” of attorneys you might encounter - from aggressive litigators to collaborative strategists and why having the right fit...

When divorce is underway, the process can take months or even longer before everything is finalized. But what happens in the meantime? That’s where temporary orders come in. In this episode, Greer Howard and Bobby Buchanan break down the most common types of temporary motions, including child support and spousal maintenance.  They discuss: How child support is calculated in Illinois during separat...

Divorce is rarely simple and the challenges that come up can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide , top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan tackles real-life inspired hypothetical scenarios that shed light on some of the toughest situations divorcing couples face. From discovering a hidden bank account, to coping with the heartbreak of parental alienation, to figur...

When it comes to divorce, financial transparency is everything. But what happens when one spouse isn’t playing fair? In this episode, Greer Howard and Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive into the world of hidden assets - what they are, how they show up, and the steps you can take to uncover them. From cash-heavy businesses to undisclosed accounts, Bobby explains the red flags to watch fo...

Thinking about moving out during your divorce? Not so fast. In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide , Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan break down one of the most common and misunderstood questions in divorce: when is it actually the right time to move out? They explore the emotional, legal, and financial implications of leaving the shared home before your divorce...

In this spicy episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , hosts Greer Howard and Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive deep into one of the most emotionally charged topics in divorce: alimony also known as maintenance in Illinois. They break down: Who qualifies for alimony and why How Illinois courts determine whether maintenance is appropriate The formula used to calculate alimony pay...

“Why is divorce so expensive?” It’s one of the first questions people ask and unfortunately, the answer isn’t always straightforward. But in this episode, we’re breaking it all down. Greer Howard and Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan walk through the real numbers behind different types of divorces - what they cost, why they vary so much, and how to avoid surprise expenses along the way. Whe...

Thinking about handling your divorce on your own to save money or keep things amicable? You’re not alone—but before you opt out of legal representation, it’s important to understand what’s really at stake. In this episode, Greer Howard and Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive deep into one of the most common questions people ask when facing divorce: “Do I need a lawyer?”  From real-life h...

In this Q&A-style episode, Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive into some of the most common (and often overlooked) questions people have when facing divorce. From staying in the marital home to unexpected financial moves by a spouse, Bobby breaks down what you really need to know to protect yourself—legally and emotionally. Listen in as they explore real-life hyp...

Being served divorce papers can feel like a punch to the gut—unexpected, overwhelming, and filled with confusing legal language but it doesn’t have to send you into a tailspin. In this episode, attorney Bobby Buchanan and host Greer Howard break down exactly what to do when you're served with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.  They cover: What those documents actually mean Why staying c...

Serving divorce papers might be the legal way to start a divorce—but it’s not always the best way. In this episode, attorney Bobby Buchanan explains why serving your spouse should be a last resort, not your first move. Bobby walks through seven practical and respectful alternatives to serving papers that can help you start the divorce process without escalating tensions or creating unnecessary dra...

Dividing assets is only one part of the financial puzzle in a divorce—what about the debt? In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan break down how debt is handled during a divorce in Illinois. From mortgages and credit cards to medical bills and tax liabilities, they discuss the emotional weight and legal complexity of sp...

The marital home is more than just a financial asset—it’s where memories live, routines are built, and families grow. But what happens to that home when a marriage ends? In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide , host Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive deep into one of the most emotional and complex aspects of divorce: what to do with the marital home. They exp...

High-conflict divorces can drain your energy, finances, and emotional well-being—but they don’t have to. In this episode, host Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan break down the five most common mistakes people make during high-conflict divorces and share practical strategies to avoid them. From letting emotions take over, to mismanaging finances, to losing sight of what’...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , host Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan tackle one of the most complex and misunderstood aspects of divorce: distinguishing between marital and non-marital property. Bobby answers real listener questions covering scenarios like: If a spouse invests in a home you owned before marriage, do they gain ownership? What ha...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan dive into one of the most important financial aspects of divorce: understanding the difference between marital and non-marital property. From inherited assets and retirement accounts to real estate and debt, Bobby breaks down what gets divided during a divorce—and what doesn’t. You...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide , host Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan unpack one of the most critical—and often urgent—phases of the divorce process: temporary orders and emergency relief. Whether it’s about securing parenting time, protecting your finances, or staying in your home, Bobby breaks down when and why these legal tools are necessary, how the...

In Part 2 of our deep dive into litigation, Greer Howard and Bobby Buchanan continue unpacking what really happens when your divorce case heads to court. This episode focuses on the critical players and pivotal moments of trial proceedings in Illinois. Bobby explains the roles of attorneys for children—including Guardian ad Litems (GALs) and Child Representatives—and how their involvement can sign...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide , Greer Howard and family law attorney Bobby Buchanan unpack one of the most common—and complicated—questions in divorce: When should you file? Together, they explore how timing can impact financial outcomes, custody arrangements, and even your emotional well-being.  Bobby offers strategic insights into why waiting might be wise in some cases and how a...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , host Greer Howard is joined by top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan to explore the powerful alternative of collaborative divorce. Together, they break down how this non-adversarial approach empowers couples to settle their divorce outside of court with the support of a professional team—including attorneys, financial experts, divorce...

In this follow-up to our deep dive on the benefits of mediation , Greer Howard and top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan walk you through the actual steps of the mediation process . From initiating a conversation with your spouse to finalizing your agreement in court, this episode breaks it all down into practical, manageable phases. You'll learn: How to approach your spouse about medi...

In this episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast , Greer Howard sits down with top Chicago divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan to explore the crucial topic of divorce mediation in Illinois. Discover how mediation can be a cost-effective, faster, and less stressful alternative to courtroom litigation—helping couples reach a divorce settlement with less conflict and more collaboration. Bobby breaks...

Navigating a divorce can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process can make it less daunting.  In this first episode of the Illinois Divorce Guide Podcast, host Greer Howard sits down with top Illinois divorce attorney Bobby Buchanan to break down the key steps of getting divorced in Illinois. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The importance of a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) and w...