Posted on August 12, 2026 in Divorce

If your marriage is coming to an end after many years, alimony (or spousal maintenance, as it’s known in Illinois) can offer you security as you transition into a new phase of life.

Maintenance is not automatic after any divorce. Courts take into account the length of the marriage and the circumstances of each spouse before making a decision about whether to award maintenance or not. A Cook County, IL alimony attorney can help you understand what a court will factor into its decision during your 2026 divorce.

Is Alimony Automatic After a Long Marriage in Illinois?

Maintenance is never automatic in Illinois divorces. Under 750 ILCS 5/504, the judge first makes a decision about whether an award of maintenance is appropriate. Specific points for the judge to consider are outlined in the statutes. If a court decides that maintenance is needed, it will decide on the amount and duration.

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 Posted on July 31, 2026 in Personal Injury

Accidents involving a driver whose lights were not on when they should have been raise serious questions about fault. In Illinois, it is illegal to drive at night without headlights. Someone who hits another driver whose headlights were not on may not be entirely liable for the accident. However, how fault is assigned depends on the circumstances of each case.

If you were involved in this kind of crash in 2026, a Kendall County personal injury lawyer can help you understand what factors will be considered in your case.

Is Someone Driving Without Headlights Automatically at Fault for an Accident in Illinois?

Driving without headlights on at night does not automatically put the driver at fault for an accident, but it can weigh heavily against them. Illinois law under 625 ILCS 5/12-201 requires drivers to use their headlights from sunset to sunrise, when weather conditions require windshield wipers, and whenever people or vehicles cannot be clearly seen from 1,000 feet away.

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 Posted on July 20, 2026 in Family Law

Variable income does not exempt you from child support. It does, however, change how the calculation works. Rather than deciding on a fixed amount based on your monthly pay, Illinois courts look at the larger picture of your earnings over time.

If your income fluctuates because you're self-employed, work on commission, or earn seasonal income, it’s important to understand how the court will determine your support orders in 2026. A Kendall County, IL child support lawyer can walk you through the process.

How Does Illinois Calculate Child Support When Your Income Isn't Consistent?

Illinois uses an income shares model to calculate child support (750 ILCS 5/505). This model bases child support on the combined net income of both parents. The statute requires courts to consider "all income from all sources."

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 Posted on June 25, 2026 in Estate Planning

A trust can protect assets for minor children, and it is one of the most effective tools available for doing so. Without a trust in place, a child who inherits money or property outright has no legal ability to manage those assets until they turn 18. At that point, they receive everything at once with no restrictions. A trust changes that entirely. If you want to make sure your children are truly protected, the Will County, IL estate planning lawyers at SpyratosDavis LLC can help you put the right plan in place.

Why Can't Minor Children Simply Inherit Assets Directly?

Under Illinois law, minors generally cannot legally manage significant inherited property on their own. If a child inherits assets without a trust or other legal structure in place, a court will typically appoint a guardian of the estate to manage those assets until the child turns 18. That process involves court oversight, ongoing reporting requirements, and legal fees that can eat into what you intended your child to receive.

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 Posted on June 08, 2026 in Divorce

When you file for divorce, joint bank accounts do not automatically get split in half or frozen. What happens to them depends on when the account was opened, how the money was earned, and what you and your spouse agree to, or what a court orders if you cannot agree. In Illinois, the law has specific rules about how shared money is handled, and knowing those rules early can help protect you. If you are going through a divorce in 2026 and have questions about property division, the Kane County divorce lawyers at SpyratosDavis LLC can help you figure out where you stand.

Are Joint Bank Accounts Considered Marital Property in Illinois?

Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS 5/503, property acquired during the marriage is generally marital property. That typically includes money in a joint bank account. If the funds were earned during the marriage, they are often considered marital property regardless of whose name is on the account.

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 Posted on May 22, 2026 in Business & Contract Disputes

Change orders are a normal part of almost every construction project. Scope changes, unexpected site conditions, and design revisions happen all the time. The problem is not that changes occur. The problem is what happens when those changes are not handled properly.

A change order that seems minor in the moment can turn into a major legal dispute over unpaid work, broken timelines, and significant financial losses for your business. If you are a construction company owner dealing with a change order dispute in 2026, our McHenry County commercial litigation lawyers can help you understand your options and protect what you have worked hard to build.

In Illinois construction disputes, a change order generally refers to a modification to the original contract that adjusts the scope of work, the cost, or the timeline. When these modifications are handled correctly, they keep your projects moving and your cash flow protected. When they are undocumented, disputed, or ignored, they become the foundation of some of the most expensive and time-consuming construction litigation cases in Illinois courts.

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 Posted on May 09, 2026 in Family Law

If your child is refusing to go to court-ordered visitation, you are probably caught between wanting to support your child and knowing you are legally required to follow a court order. It is a hard position to be in, and it is more common than many parents realize. The important thing to know is that a child cannot legally refuse court-ordered visitation in Illinois. A court order is binding on the parents, and it is the parents' job to take real steps to make the visit happen.

Letting the child stay home is not typically something that Illinois family courts will accept. This is true even when your child is angry at their other parent or otherwise resistant. If you are dealing with this situation in 2026, our DeKalb, IL child custody lawyers can help you figure out the right approach, protect your rights, and find a path forward that works for your family.

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 Posted on April 20, 2026 in Personal Injury

Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation after a bicycle accident in Illinois. The driver who hit you is still responsible for causing the crash. Illinois law gives you the right to seek compensation for your injuries regardless of whether you were wearing a helmet. If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in 2026, our DeKalb, IL personal injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and fight for what you deserve.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Fault in Bicycle Accident Cases?

Illinois does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets under state law. Because there is no legal requirement for adults to wear one, not wearing a helmet cannot be treated as a violation of the law. That is an important fact that works in your favor. However, helmet use may still come up during the claims process, and knowing how that argument works and how to respond to it matters.

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 Posted on April 13, 2026 in Family Law

In Illinois, how far a parent can move without court approval depends on where the child currently lives. Some counties set the distance further than others. Moving beyond those limits requires either getting the other parent's written agreement or asking a court for permission first.

Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, these rules apply to any parent who has been given the majority of parenting time or an equal share of parenting time. Knowing exactly where the line is can be the difference between a smooth move and a serious legal problem. If you have questions about a relocation situation in 2026, the Cook County, IL family lawyers at SpyratosDavis LLC are here to help.

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 Posted on March 27, 2026 in Business & Contract Disputes

In Illinois, probate is required when an estate is worth more than $100,000 or includes real estate titled solely in the deceased person's name under the Illinois Probate Act of 1975. A properly structured trust can help your family skip that process entirely. If you want to protect your loved ones from the time, cost, and stress of probate, the Kendall County, IL estate planning lawyers at SpyratosDavis LLC can help you put a plan in place in 2026.

What Is Probate, and Why Do People Want to Avoid It?

Probate is a legal process that takes place in court after someone dies. The court reviews the person's will, confirms it is valid, appoints someone to manage the estate, pays off debts, and then distributes what remains to the beneficiaries.

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