Resource Sessions: Legal and Resource Podcasts by Sterk Family Law Group, P.C.

Your estate is more than your home, your finances, or your will. These days, it also includes your digital life. In this episode of our Seasons of Life series, Kelly Garver, estate planning attorney Terry M. Fogarty, and family law attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk discuss why passwords, online accounts, digital assets, email, photos, subscriptions, and cloud storage have become an integral part of plan...

Estate planning is not just for retirement, wealthy families, or some far-off version of your life. In this episode, Attorneys Gwendolyn J. Sterk and Terry M. Fogarty talk about the decisions families often assume will happen automatically, including who can make healthcare or financial decisions, who would care for children, and what happens when life changes. They chat about wills, trusts, power...

Our latest Non-Profit Hero spotlight features The Maddog Strong Foundation. Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk joins Dr. Cyndi Grobmeier Strong to discuss how their family turned loss into action, and they continue to create a lasting impact through organ donation awareness. Founded in honor of their daughter Maddie “Maddog” Grobmeier, Maddog Strong was created to inspire the next generation to learn abo...

Planning does not mean expecting the worst. In the first episode of our Seasons of Life series, Kelly Garver and Gwendolyn J. Sterk of Sterk Family Law Group talk about why so many of us put planning off until life forces the conversation and why preparing ahead is often more about creating options than predicting outcomes. From estate planning and healthcare decisions to beneficiaries, retirement...

Gwendolyn J. Sterk recently sat down with Dan Miller from K9s for Veterans, our latest Non-Profit HeroDan shared the incredible work this organization does to pair rescue dogs with military veterans living with PTSD. What makes K9s for Veterans so special:Saving Two Lives at Once: K9s for Veterans rescues dogs from kill shelters and trains them as service dogs for veterans. These dogs are given a...

Our latest Non-Profit Hero feature is Boxes of Hope, a program through Firehouse Chapel in Orland Park, IL, focused on providing weekend food support for local children and families. Thank you to Alexis Rodriguez and Jason Riha for joining us to share how Boxes of Hope works behind the scenes. Through the help of volunteers, they pack and deliver food boxes to local schools, where they are distrib...

Subpoenas sound scary. In this episode, Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk chats with Becky Sampson from OnlySubpoenas to discuss what a subpoena actually is and why they’re a normal part of the legal process. Much of the stress surrounding subpoenas stems from a lack of understanding about what they are and their meaning. In reality, they’re just a way to get information like financial records, employme...

Our latest Non-Profit Hero feature is ⁠A Call to Shoulders⁠ , an organization doing work with veterans as they transition back into civilian life. Thank you to Greg Zilioli for sharing how through woodworking and skilled trades, veterans are able to build something tangible, earn income, and regain a sense of purpose and direction. It’s not just about the work itself, it’s about having structure,...

In our latest Non Profit Heroes feature, Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk sat down with Ines Kutlesa from Guardian Angel Community Services of domestic violence and assault. Guardian Angel does far more than provide emergency shelter. They offer comprehensive, long-term support through their core programs, including crisis shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, transitional housing, a Partner Abuse Inter...

Our latest Non-Profit Hero features guest Colleen Connolly of Catherine’s Cause , an organization dedicated to supporting families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Catherine's Cause supports families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant loss by providing comfort items, keepsakes, and care packages for healing. Listen to learn about how to support them, vo...

Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk and Caroline M. Powell of ⁠Sterk Family Law Group, P.C.⁠ discuss the ⁠Equality for Every Family Act (HB 2683)⁠ and recent Illinois parentage law updates, focusing on why legal parentage matters far beyond names on a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage. They explain how the shift from paternity to parentage expands who can be legally recognized as a parent, how these c...

Our latest Non Profit Hero feature includes Kristine Cain, founder of Building Bright Futures, and the work they are doing to support parents before they hit a breaking point. Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk and Kristine discuss real concerns families face, including safety, anxiety, and the pressure to “just figure it out” when it comes to parenting. Building Bright Futures exists to change that by o...

In this episode, Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Troy Westercamp take on one of the most painful challenges a relationship can face: the loss of trust. Whether it’s infidelity, financial secrecy, or broken promises, betrayal shakes everything a couple thought was solid. Gwen and Troy discuss what can happen emotionally in those first moments of discovery an...

Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Troy Westercamp chat about life shifts that can completely shake a person’s sense of identity. Divorce, career changes, becoming an empty nester, moving, or starting over in a new chapter all sound like milestones from the outside, but on the inside, they can feel confusing, emotional, and downright overwhelming. Gwen and Tro...

Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk sits down with Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Troy Westercamp of  Pathway Professional Counseling  to have a conversation about what happens when life becomes so overwhelming that even basic responsibilities start to feel impossible. Work, parenting, relationships, and finances can stack up fast, and the result is not a lack of caring but a sense of emotional...

Our latest Non-Profit Heroes feature, we highlight the incredible work of Norma Peterson, Executive Director of Document The Abuse, an organization born from her collaboration with the late Susan Murphy-Milano and inspired by the call for change following the Drew Peterson case. Norma shares how Document The Abuse is helping victims of domestic violence take back control through secure, web-based...

We’re proud to feature Park Lawn Charity as our latest Non-Profit Hero! For 70 years, Park Lawn has been creating opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive and reach their full potential. From residential living and day programs to supported employment, their services empower individuals to live with dignity, independence, and purpose. At Sterk Family Law...

Co-Parenting Strategies for Healthy Communication In this episode, Gwendolyn J. Sterk sits down with Kris Anderson, a licensed clinical social worker and life coach, to unpack practical strategies for co-parenting with less conflict and more intention. Together, they explore how to shift the focus from your ex to your children, creating a child-centered approach that models healthy communication a...

Our latest Non-Profit Hero is LARC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Chicagoland. Since 1956, LARC has grown from the Lansing School of Special Education into a trusted community resource, supporting about 100 individuals in living self-directed, enriched lives. Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk speaks with Ernest Gonzalez, Executive D...

In this episode, we discuss some tips on how to effectively communicate during emotionally charged family law matters. Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk, Sterk Family Law Group, P.C., speaks with Virginia Torres Ryan, LCSW, JD, Family Horizons Counseling , about how to respond with purpose, even when facing high-conflict situations. They discuss ways to reduce emotional reactivity, improve tone in writt...

Gwen Sterk sits down with Sierra Dockery of nViZion Rise Academy , our latest Non-Profit Hero, to highlight the incredible work being done to support children with visual impairments and additional disabilities. Sierra shares how the Academy’s specialized instruction, innovative tools, and nurturing environment help students build essential academic and life skills. Their mission goes beyond the c...

We’ve all been there: putting things off, avoiding the uncomfortable, or feeling stuck. In this episode, Gwendolyn J. Sterk and Dr. Sue Denk discuss why we procrastinate, particularly when emotions are high or significant decisions need to be made. They’ll walk through what avoidance can look like during family law matters, how it affects your mental health, and why even small steps forward can ma...

In this episode, Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk of Sterk Family Law Group, P.C., is joined by advocates in the domestic violence prevention field to explore Karina’s Law, an Illinois law designed to strengthen firearm enforcement for individuals subject to orders of protection. Guests include: Maralea Negron , Director of Policy, Advocacy and Research at The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Viole...

Some changes came to Illinois family law in 2025. In this episode, Kelly Garver and Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk chat about some of the updates to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) and explain what these changes mean. New relocation rules and how distance is now measured Imputing income for child support or maintenance cases What happens to parenting plans if a divorce i...

Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk talks with coach Kris Anderson about how to rebuild your identity after divorce. They explore the emotional crossroads of bitterness versus growth, the power of perspective, and why self-care is more than just spa days. Learn how to set new goals and step into the next version of yourself. Learn more about Kris Anderson: comealiveandthrivewithkris.com Learn more about S...