Recent Blog Posts
Can I Challenge an Alimony Petition in Illinois?
Alimony, also known as spousal support, can be a sensitive subject during your divorce. For one reason or another, you may object to the idea of making routine payments to your ex-spouse. In order to challenge your ex’s alimony petition, you should strongly consider seeking legal representation from a Joliet, IL divorce lawyer.
At the Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., our attorneys can provide you with personalized service to protect your rights during the divorce proceedings. Our team of litigators with over a century of combined experience will take the time to understand your situation so that we can more effectively advocate for you in court.
How Do Illinois Courts Decide if Alimony Is Appropriate?
When a spouse requests alimony during the divorce proceedings, the judge will take different factors into account before making a final decision (750 ILCS 5/504). In particular, the court will prioritize what is "just and equitable" for all parties involved. At the Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., we can make a case for a fair outcome on your behalf, considering your own financial situation and needs.
How to Effectively Co-Parent After a Divorce
When parents get divorced, they will likely have to work together until their child becomes an independent adult. Depending on how the relationship ended, working together as co-parents may be a tall order. A Plainfield, IL family law attorney can represent you in legal disputes with your co-parent and help you reach a mutual agreement about how parenting decisions should be handled.
At the Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., we have decades of combined legal experience, and in that time, we have handled many sensitive child custody cases. We can provide you with strong counsel for mediation sessions with your co-parent, and if a disagreement escalates, we can represent you in a trial.
Prioritize Your Child’s Best Interests While Co-Parenting
After your divorce is finalized, you and your ex might disagree on how certain decisions are handled. For instance, you might object to your co-parent proposing to relocate with your child. In another case, you might have reservations about letting your child participate in certain extracurricular activities.
Should I Consider Mediation for My Divorce?
Every divorce case presents differently. There is no single approach that can possibly address every couple’s unique needs when a marriage falls apart. In more troubled divorces, litigation is sometimes the only way to move forward. But if you are open to other methods, you and your spouse could benefit from mediation.
With assistance from a Will County family law attorney, you can work toward an agreeable settlement in out-of-court negotiations. The Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C. represents clients going through contested divorces, and we can advocate for you in mediation to make sure that you are fairly represented.
Mediation as an Alternative to Litigation
In highly contested divorces, some couples turn to litigation as a first resort. In litigation, you and your spouse can argue to the judge for a preferred ruling in your divorce. However, there is no guarantee that a judge will see things your way in your divorce. Combined with the difficulties of scheduling a court date and the expensive legal fees, litigation is not always the optimal way to resolve a divorce.
Do I Have a Right to Parenting Time?
Whether you are going through a divorce with children or are involved in a post-divorce custody dispute, you may have some pressing concerns about the allocation of parenting time (formerly known as "visitation"). Inevitably, you will have to juggle exercising your rights as a parent while also doing what is best for your child. During this stressful time, a skilled Will County, IL child custody lawyer can work to ease your concerns.
At the Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., we have the experience and legal knowledge to advocate for you in all matters of child custody. Our attorneys can advise you of your parental rights and negotiate for an appropriate split of parenting time.
What Illinois Law Says About Child Custody
In Illinois, neither fathers nor mothers are given special treatment in regard to child custody. The law presumes that both parents are fit to take care of the child unless proven otherwise, giving both parents an equal right to see and take care of the child.
College Expenses in Divorce: What Parents Need to Know
College Expenses in Divorce: What Illinois Parents Need to Know
One of the most complex and emotionally charged financial issues divorced or divorcing families face is determining how to handle the cost of a child’s college education. While child support obligations typically conclude when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, college expenses occupy a legal gray area—unless you live in a state like Illinois, where the law specifically addresses this issue.
If you are in the process of divorce or reviewing your parenting plan in Illinois, understanding your legal rights and obligations is essential.
Are Divorced Parents in Illinois Required to Pay for College?
Yes—under Illinois law, courts can order divorced or unmarried parents to contribute to their child’s college expenses. This authority comes from Section 513 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/513), which allows courts to allocate costs related to post-secondary education, even after child support has ended.
What if My Spouse Drains Our Bank Account During Our Divorce?
Until it happens to you, it can be nearly impossible to imagine the panic that sets in from finding out that your spouse has drained your joint bank account during a divorce. Unfortunately, this sort of thing happens more often than you might realize. It is illegal and Illinois law provides options for how to handle it, but it is important to act fast. If you are a victim of this type of financial misconduct, speak with a qualified Will County, IL family law attorney who can help you navigate it.
What Is Dissipation of Marital Assets in Illinois?
Dissipation of marital assets is when one spouse uses marital funds for a purpose unrelated to the marriage while the marriage is breaking down. It occurs when your spouse takes or spends marital money after the divorce process has begun. Common examples include draining accounts, excessive spending, gambling, or giving away money to friends or family.
Dividing a Lifetime of Savings and Investments in a Grey Divorce
Divorce later in life — often called a "grey divorce" — presents unique legal and financial challenges, especially when it comes to dividing retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and long-held savings. As of June 2025, Illinois divorce courts continue to apply equitable distribution principles to all marital property, regardless of the couple’s age or how long they have been married. That means every dollar saved or invested during the marriage is subject to division.
For couples divorcing later in life, the financial stakes are high. After decades of shared financial planning, the wrong decisions during divorce can disrupt retirement, trigger unexpected taxes, or unfairly shift long-term risk onto one spouse. If you are navigating a grey divorce, speak with an experienced Joliet, IL family law attorney to understand your options and how to protect your interests.
Tips for a Smooth Uncontested Divorce
Not all marriages end with a dramatic falling out. Sometimes, people simply fall out of love or realize that they are not the right fit for each other. In these cases, it is natural for a couple to want to resolve a divorce with minimal conflict. If you need help getting through an uncontested divorce, an Illinois family law attorney can provide you with legal advice and representation for your needs.
Although uncontested divorces are much less intense, having an attorney at your side can still make the process much easier. At the Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., we will take the time to understand your priorities so we can help you smoothly transition out of married life.
Avoid Casting Blame
Maintaining a civil dialogue with your spouse is important for getting through an uncontested divorce. If you level harsh accusations at your spouse, whether they are credible or not, a previously uncontested divorce can quickly spiral into conflict. Since Illinois is a strictly no-fault divorce state, there is little point in instigating a fight by alleging that your spouse ruined your marriage — at least, not during the legal proceedings.
Terms You Need to Know in Your Child Custody Case
When you divorce as a parent, you will inevitably have to go through the legal proceedings of splitting up custody. This is not an easy task for any parent to grapple with, especially if you are not familiar with the courtroom jargon. An Illinois family law attorney can help clarify the most confusing parts of this process, advocating for your parental rights all the way through.
Having a knowledgeable lawyer at your side during a child custody dispute can be invaluable. At Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., we have over 100 years of combined experience shared between our team of attorneys, which has given us deep insights into the inner workings of child custody cases.
What Are The Child’s Best Interests?
During a child custody case, you will likely hear the term "best interests" used frequently in court. Naturally, most parents want what is best for their children, but you should know that the child’s best interests play a specific role in family law. When making decisions for the child’s welfare, the court may consider different factors regarding best interests, such as:
What Keeping the Marital Home Means for Your Divorce
In the midst of a divorce, you may have strong feelings about keeping the marital home you once shared with your spouse. Securing the marital home is possible with skilled negotiation, and can provide a source of long-term security and comfort. However, you should keep in mind that retaining ownership of your house comes with numerous considerations and possible drawbacks. An Illinois family law attorney can advise you of your options and help you pursue an ideal outcome. At Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., our experience in and outside the courtroom helps us support our clients by engaging in aggressive negotiation.
Keeping the Marital Home Affects Property Division
Often, keeping the marital home comes with strings attached. This is true whether you settle out of court or take the issue to a judge. If you want to keep your marital home, you may have to make some concessions to compensate your spouse. This could mean surrendering other assets, like a greater portion of your shared bank account.
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