Posted on July 07, 2026 in Divorce

Before a divorce can be completed, spouses must address multiple issues, including the division of marital assets and debts, parental responsibilities, parenting time, and spousal support. Some spouses reach a decision through methods like mediation. Others can negotiate a settlement through their attorneys. However, when all else fails, a divorce case may advance to trial.

Whether you have just filed for divorce or you are well into the process, it is important to know how divorce trials work in Illinois. At Goostree Law Group, our St. Charles, IL divorce attorneys have decades of experience. We are highly familiar with contested divorce proceedings, and we are more than prepared to represent you at trial.

How Do You Begin the Divorce Process in Illinois in 2026?

Filing for divorce in Illinois starts with submitting a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage to the circuit court in the county where you or your spouse lives. The petition sets out the grounds for divorce, which in Illinois is only irreconcilable differences, along with basic information about the spouses and any children. Once the petition is filed, your spouse must be formally notified through a legal process called "service of process." 

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 Posted on June 27, 2026 in Property Division

When you receive an asset from a deceased loved one – whether in the form of a monetary gift or something physical like real estate – you might naturally want to protect it. However, divorce can raise questions about property ownership that have to be addressed during the division of assets. A Yorkville, IL divorce attorney can discuss your options to protect your inheritance and work to protect your long-term stability.

At Goostree Law Group, we have decades of experience handling complicated divorce and family law cases. We know how to approach contested cases when valuable property is on the line, whether the matter needs to be resolved in litigation or negotiation.

Is an Inheritance Marital or Separate Property in Illinois?

Illinois law classifies property as either marital or non-marital. Property acquired by either spouse through inheritance is considered non-marital property (750 ILCS 5/503). That means it generally belongs to the spouse who received it, not to both spouses together.

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 Posted on June 20, 2026 in Divorce

It is no secret that divorce can be messy. Emotions and tensions can run high, causing stress that not everyone can handle. In some situations, a spouse may end up just fleeing or leaving the state entirely to get away from the situation or in an attempt to avoid getting a divorce. In other situations, a person may end up filing for divorce because their spouse has already disappeared.

Whatever the situation, an absent spouse can be frustrating and can add steps to the divorce process. However, it is still possible to complete the divorce, even if you are not sure where your spouse is located. At Goostree Law Group, our DuPage County, IL family law attorneys have decades of combined experience. You can rely on our lawyers to guide you through your case to make the process as painless as possible.

How Do You Get a Default Divorce in 2026?

In any divorce case, the process is started by filing a petition for divorce with the court in the county in which you reside. Typically, your spouse would then have 30 days from the filing of the petition to respond and notify the court of their appearance (or non-appearance) at the initial hearing. If they do not respond to the petition, or you do not know their whereabouts to serve their petition, it is still possible to get a divorce through alternate methods in Illinois.

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 Posted on June 15, 2026 in Child Custody

Parenting is hard work, regardless of your marital status. But co-parenting kids with an ex comes with additional challenges. If you are planning to divorce or you are an unmarried parent sharing custody of your kids with an ex, you may already have experienced some of these difficulties. Parents may disagree about parenting time schedules, their child's education or participation in extracurricular activities, healthcare, and much more.

Every co-parenting relationship is bound to experience problems, but there are steps you can take to lessen co-parenting disagreements. At Goostree Law Group, we have decades of legal experience, and we have helped many parents with delicate family law matters. You can trust our Wheaton, IL child custody attorneys to help you through the most difficult parts of an ongoing co-parenting disagreement.

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 Posted on June 05, 2026 in Property Division

When a couple chooses to end their marriage, they will need to address a variety of issues during the divorce process. Foremost among these is the division of marital property. All assets and debts that a couple owns together must be divided fairly and equitably. In addition to marital property, each spouse will likely have certain assets that are considered separate property, including items they owned before getting married, assets received through inheritances, and property excluded from the marital estate by a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. 

Separate property will not be divided between spouses, and each party will be able to retain ownership of the assets they originally possessed. However, there are many situations where marital and separate property may become mixed together or "commingled." At Goostree Law Group, our St. Charles, IL divorce lawyers have represented clients in difficult property division cases for decades. 

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 Posted on June 02, 2026 in Property Division

As any small business owner can attest to, running your own company is not an easy task. This is especially true presently. Between inflation and labor shortages, many business owners are struggling to keep their businesses afloat.

Getting divorced while simultaneously running a small business is even more complicated. Business owners must determine whether their business is partially or fully marital property and address the business during asset division. To do this, they will first need to determine the value of the company. Fortunately, business owners facing divorce do not have to handle all of these complex issues on their own. 

A Kane County, IL divorce lawyer skilled in business valuation and division can provide direction and personalized assistance throughout the divorce process. At Goostree Law Group, we have decades of shared divorce experience, and we are not afraid to take on complex issues like business valuation.

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 Posted on May 29, 2026 in Divorce

No one wants to deal with a long, drawn-out divorce and all the fees that come with it. Yet, despite the spouses’ best efforts, some cases end up prolonged for a year or longer before they are resolved. Every divorce case is different, with varying reasons for blockages or delays. A Kendall County, IL family law attorney can help you take measures to keep your divorce moving smoothly.

At Goostree Law Group, we have decades of divorce experience. We can use our deep understanding of divorce law to your advantage, looking for ways to streamline the process while still protecting your best interests. 

Are Longer Divorces More Expensive in Illinois?

The longer a divorce takes, the more it tends to cost. Attorney fees accumulate over time. Court filings add up. When both spouses are paying separate lawyers to negotiate, litigate, and respond to each other for months or years, the total expense can grow significantly.

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 Posted on May 21, 2026 in Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

When you see wedding bells in your near future, there are probably a hundred things on your mind – and a prenuptial agreement is not likely to be one of them. Though it can seem unromantic, and it may feel like you do not trust your future marriage, signing a marital agreement can be a beneficial tool in the event that you and your spouse ever get divorced.

A prenuptial agreement is a legal document that allows you and your spouse to basically plan your divorce before it happens. These contracts allow you to address issues such as property division, spousal maintenance, and ownership of businesses or professional practices.

At Goostree Law Group, our Wheaton, IL family law attorneys have decades of legal experience, and Attorney Tricia Goostree has been recognized as a Super Lawyer for her exceptional skills. We can review your agreement and help lay your worries to rest with a thorough review.

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 Posted on May 15, 2026 in Order of Protection

Domestic violence victims in Illinois have the option to get an order of protection to protect themselves, their children, and their property. A protection order is often the first step in leaving an abusive marriage or relationship. Protection orders can also provide legal protection if the abuse is at the hands of an ex-romantic partner, current or former household member, or family member. Unfortunately, many domestic violence victims are unaware of their rights and options under Illinois law. This leads them to suffer in silence and without the legal protection they need.

At Goostree Law Group, our DuPage County, IL family law attorneys can be your fiercest advocate at a protective order hearing. We have decades of legal experience, endowing us with the confidence and legal knowledge to represent you in court. Always keep in mind that some people may react erratically to being served with a protective order. If you are in immediate danger of domestic violence, go to a safe place like a domestic violence shelter or the home of a trusted friend or relative and call 911.

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 Posted on May 07, 2026 in Divorce

For those who have never been divorced, the divorce process can seem daunting and confusing. How do I file for divorce? What happens if my spouse serves me divorce papers? Can I refuse to sign the divorce petition? These are just some of the many questions that people seeking a divorce in Kane County, Illinois, may ask.

Divorce is a complicated, multi-step process where any small error can delay the proceedings. For legal help, consider working with a St. Charles, IL family law attorney at Goostree Law Group. We have decades of legal experience handling difficult divorces, so you can rely on us to provide you with clear guidance.

What Does the Divorce Petition Do in an Illinois Divorce?

The first official step in the divorce process is filing the divorce petition or "Petition for Dissolution of Marriage," as it is called in Illinois. Either spouse may file for divorce. Illinois is currently a no-fault divorce state, so there is no need to list the specific reasons for seeking a divorce. The only ground for divorce in Illinois is irreconcilable differences.

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