Illinois Family Law Insider

Are you worried about being labeled an unfit parent in your Illinois custody case? In this episode, Sterling Lawyers lead attorney Jeff Hughes explains what "unfit parent" actually means under Illinois law and how to protect your parental rights from false or exaggerated allegations. Legal definition: 750 ILCS 50/1(D) requires clear evidence What actually concerns judges: patterns versus...

Are you worried about Illinois divorce costs and confused about billing models? In this episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen and senior associate Jacqueline McClellan break down everything you need to know about divorce costs and the critical differences between fixed fee and hourly billing that could save you thousands.  We discuss: Illinois divorce costs: thousands to hundre...

Are you sharing your marital home with your ex-spouse during an Illinois divorce and feeling trapped by intimidation, passive-aggressive behavior, or emotional abuse? In this episode, Sterling Lawyers lead attorney Jeff Hughes explains exactly when Illinois courts will grant exclusive possession of the marital home and which legal strategies work best. Illinois divorce motion (750 ILCS 5/501(c)(2)...

Are you worried about getting your fair share in your Illinois divorce? In this episode, Sterling Hughes attorneys Katie VanDeusen and Jacqueline McClellan explain how Illinois divorce courts determine asset values and what strategies protect you from unfair division through proper valuation methods.  They discuss:  How Illinois divorce courts determine values for homes, businesses, and retirement...

Is your marriage feeling over, but divorce seems too final? In this episode, Sterling Lawyers lead attorney Jeff Hughes explains the five key differences between legal separation and divorce in Illinois, helping you understand which option better protects your health, finances, and family while preserving future flexibility.  We explore: How legal separation keeps reconciliation doors open vs. req...

Are you confused about Illinois alimony or spousal maintenance and wondering what you might owe or receive in your divorce? In this episode, Sterling Hughes attorneys Katie VanDeusen and Jacqueline McClellan explain Illinois spousal support or maintenance law, including the three types of support, how judges make determinations, and strategic considerations.  We talk about: Three types of Illinois...

Are you facing a guardian ad litem appointment in your Illinois custody case and unsure of what to expect? In this episode, Sterling Hughes lead attorney Jeff Hughes explains what a guardian ad litem is, their role in Illinois custody cases, and essential strategies for successful guardian ad litem interactions.  We discussed: What a guardian ad litem is and why their recommendations carry signifi...

Are you dealing with unpaid child support in Illinois or worried about falling behind on your child support obligations? In this episode, Sterling Hughes attorneys Katie VanDeusen and Jacqueline McClellan explain Illinois child support enforcement procedures, termination rules, and consequences for non-payment.  They discuss: When to seek legal help for child support enforcement (2-3 month guideli...

Are you planning to relocate with your children in Illinois and concerned about child custody implications? In this episode, Sterling Hughes attorneys Katie VanDeusen and Ryan Shope explain Illinois child custody relocation laws and the essential requirements for moving with children more than 25 miles from their current residence.  We explore: How the 25-mile rule triggers formal child custody re...

Are you worried about losing credibility with Illinois divorce judges? In this episode, Sterling Lawyers CEO Jeff Hughes reveals the four fastest ways to destroy your credibility in Illinois divorce court and shares strategies to avoid these costly mistakes that can impact parenting time and financial outcomes. Why financial games and asset hiding always backfire with Illinois judges How to respon...

How do Illinois orders of protection impact divorce and paternity cases? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Senior Associate Ryan Shope to break down the complex intersection of domestic violence protection and family law proceedings.  We explore: Three types of Illinois orders: emergency, interim, and plenary Why absolute n...

Why should you consider a prenuptial agreement in Illinois? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Senior Associate Ryan Shope to break down everything you need to know about prenups. They explain how these agreements function as financial insurance policies that provide control over your future rather than leaving critical deci...

Are you worried about being labeled an unfit parent in your Illinois custody case? In this episode, Sterling Lawyers lead attorney Jeff Hughes explains the serious legal standards for unfitness determinations and helps distinguish between minor parenting mistakes and actual grounds for unfitness under Illinois law. What actually constitutes "unfit" versus common parenting challenges How...

How does Illinois child support really work when it comes to income calculations? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Senior Associate Ryan Shope to break down the income shares model and dispel common misconceptions about who pays child support.  They explore: How the income shares model considers both parents' proporti...

How do Illinois child support and maintenance really work? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Senior Partner Ali Isroff to break down the complexity of Illinois support obligations.  We explore: The common misconceptions about what parents and spouses can actually expect from support calculations How the income shares model...

Fighting for custody in Illinois, but worried your evidence won't hold up in court? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes’ lead attorney Jeff Hughes reveals why loving parents lose custody battles—not because they're wrong, but because they can't prove they're right.  Jeff breaks down the four evidence types that win custody cases: How to transform weak t...

What's the difference between a guardian ad litem and a child representative in Illinois family law? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Senior Partner Ali Isroff to clarify these crucial court-appointed roles that can significantly impact your family law case outcome.  We explore: How guardian ad litems investigate and...

When does Illinois family law require litigation instead of negotiation? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Senior Partner Ali Isroff to break down the litigation process from start to finish. They explain when court intervention becomes necessary and share strategic insights from their extensive trial experience.  We explor...

Filing for divorce in Illinois? The financial damage might already be done before you even walk into court. In this episode, Sterling Hughes’ CEO and lead attorney, Jeff Hughes, reveals the six critical money moves that could save you thousands—because what you don't protect, you'll likely lose.  We cover: How to document assets properly to prevent thousands in losses during property div...

Facing paternity or parentage issues in Illinois? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Partner Nina Kelly to break down everything unmarried parents need to know about establishing parental rights and obligations.  They explore: How to establish paternity through voluntary acknowledgment, birth certificates, or DNA testing Why...

Facing paternity or parentage issues in Illinois? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Partner Nina Kelly to break down everything unmarried parents need to know about establishing parental rights and obligations. They clarify common misconceptions and explain the strategic considerations that can make or break your case.  We...

Are you worried about losing your family home in an Illinois divorce? In this episode, Sterling Lawyers CEO and Co-Founder Jeff Hughes breaks down five critical strategies to help you keep your home and protect your financial future during Illinois divorce proceedings. Why the "divorce buyout loan" myth could cost you your home How to qualify for refinancing with post-divorce income chan...

Confused about child custody in your Illinois divorce? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Partner Nina Kelly to break down the child-related legal issues you'll face in divorce proceedings. They clarify Illinois's modern approach to what was once called "custody" and explain why this isn't a one-size...

Confused about how finances work in an Illinois divorce? In this Illinois Family Law Insider episode, Sterling Hughes Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen sits down with Partner Nina Kelley to break down the key financial issues you'll face. They dispel common misconceptions about this critical aspect of divorce. Unlike some states with automatic 50/50 divisions, Illinois takes an "equitable...

Are you worried about losing half your life's work in an Illinois divorce? In this video, Sterling Hughes CEO and Co-Founder Jeff Hughes breaks down critical steps to safeguard your finances during an Illinois divorce. Whether you're concerned about protecting inheritance, retirement accounts, or pre-marital assets, understanding Illinois' approach to property division is essential....