Posted on January 28, 2026 in Family Law

When going through a divorce, dividing assets can be complicated. There may be retirement accounts, one or more homes, businesses, intellectual property, and more. But what happens to the college savings plan you started for your child years ago?

The answer depends on several things, including when the account was opened and who contributed to it. If you have questions about your child's education funds during your divorce in 2026, a DuPage County divorce lawyer can help you understand your options.

Are College Savings Plans Considered Marital Property in Illinois?

The Education Data Initiative says that 35 percent of families have college savings funds. College savings accounts like 529 plans can be considered marital property, separate property, or a mix of both. In Illinois, courts follow "equitable distribution" when dividing property in a divorce. This means the court divides marital property fairly, but not always equally. Under 750 ILCS 5/503, this includes most assets acquired during the marriage.

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 Posted on January 28, 2026 in Personal Injury

Some people love night driving. For others, the reduced visibility makes night driving a stressful and frightening experience. These feelings are justified: statistics show nighttime driving really is much more dangerous.

Understanding why nighttime accidents happen more often can help you stay safer on the road. If you are injured in a nighttime car accident in 2026, a DuPage County auto accident attorney can help you understand your legal options.

What Are the Stats for Nighttime Auto Accidents?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, half of fatal car crashes happen at night, even though only about 25 percent of all driving happens after dark. This statistic shows that night driving is substantially more dangerous than driving during the day.

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 Posted on January 25, 2026 in Immigration

People planning to work, live, or reunite with family in the United States are hearing about new visa delays and pauses. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of State announced a pause on issuing certain immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries. While applications and interviews may still move forward, visas are not being issued for affected nationalities during this pause. This update has created uncertainty for many families and workers waiting for decisions.

If your immigration plans are affected by delays or you are planning to apply soon, we can help. Our DuPage County, IL immigration lawyer can explain how this visa pause may impact your case and what options may still be available.

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 Posted on January 15, 2026 in Personal Injury

It is always shocking to hear about someone dying from a dog attack. The family of the deceased is often left with their grief and questions about how such a thing happened. For your own and others safety, it is important to know what kinds of situations are most likely to result in fatal attacks. If you have lost a loved one to a dog attack in 2026, you will also want to know what legal choices you have. A Naperville personal injury attorney can help you understand your options.

Does Breed Matter in Fatal Dog Attacks?

Whole online forums are dedicated to whether dogs are aggressive because of their breed or not. However, the relationship between breed and fatal attacks is complicated.

While certain breeds show up more often in fatal attack statistics, the American Veterinary Medical Association has found that breed is responsible for only a small part of dog behavior. Since 2016, over 83 different breeds have been involved in fatal attacks. Owner responsibility, training, socialization, and supervision matter more than breed alone.

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 Posted on January 14, 2026 in Family Law

If you are going through a divorce in 2026, you may be worried about whether your spouse is being honest about their finances. Our DuPage County divorce attorney helps clients when hidden assets threaten a fair settlement.

Hiding assets during divorce is more common than many people realize. According to the National Endowment for Financial Education, about 41 percent of adults who have combined finances admit to hiding money from their spouse. Knowing the warning signs and how to protect yourself can make the difference between a fair settlement and being taken advantage of.

What Does Illinois Law Say About Hiding Money During Divorce?

Under Illinois law, both spouses have to provide complete and honest information about their income, assets, and debts during divorce. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act at 750 ILCS 5/501 requires a full financial report to be sure of fair property division. Failing to disclose assets is not just unfair; it breaks the law and can lead to serious consequences.

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 Posted on January 08, 2026 in Immigration

Asylee and refugee status both protect people who cannot safely return to their home country, but they are granted through different legal processes. The key difference depends on where a person is located when they seek protection. That distinction affects how a case is filed, which agency reviews it, and what deadlines apply.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s 2025 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, the United States continues to grant humanitarian protection to tens of thousands of people fleeing persecution and instability worldwide.

As of 2026, immigration agencies have expanded in-person asylum interviews, strictly enforced the one-year asylum filing deadline, and continued enhanced screening for refugee admissions. These updates make it important to understand which status applies before taking action. Our Lombard, IL immigration lawyer can help you determine the correct path.

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 Posted on December 28, 2025 in Family Law

As you prepare to end your marriage, you may be worried that your case will involve heated battles in the courtroom and ongoing arguments with your spouse. However, there are alternatives to divorce litigation that can help you and your spouse resolve your differences faster and more easily.

One such alternative is divorce mediation. This form of alternative dispute resolution is often used by divorcing couples. It allows you and your spouse to work together with the help of a neutral third party to reach solutions. If you are considering divorce mediation, our Lombard divorce attorneys can help. 

10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Divorce Mediation: 

1. Understand the mediator’s role as a neutral professional who guides discussions but does not take sides or make decisions for you.

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 Posted on December 27, 2025 in Immigration

As of 2025, removal proceedings still follow federal immigration law and court procedures set by the Executive Office for Immigration Review. These cases move through a specific process, and understanding that process can reduce uncertainty. If you have questions about removal proceedings and how they relate to your circumstances, our Naperville, IL immigration lawyer can help.

What Are Removal Proceedings?

Removal proceedings are formal court cases held in immigration court. They are used to decide whether a non-citizen may stay in the United States or must be removed. These cases are governed by federal law under 8 U.S.C. § 1229a. Immigration court is civil, not criminal. This means the focus is on immigration status, not any type of criminal guilt. An attorney from the Department of Homeland Security represents the government. The individual appears before an immigration judge.

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 Posted on December 12, 2025 in Family Law

If you anticipate that your divorce will be difficult, consider which of these two options sounds better:

You and your spouse each choose an aggressive lawyer who will fight out your issues in court. Consider which of you has more money to spend and is more likely to drag the legal process out of spite.

Or:

You and your spouse agree to resolve your divorce without going to court. You work together with a team of professionals who will give you recommendations with a focus on the best interests of your family.

If you want to file for divorce in DuPage County in 2026 and the latter approach sounds better, then the collaborative divorce process might be right for you. Our Bloomingdale, IL divorce attorneys are here to help. 

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 Posted on December 12, 2025 in Immigration

A federal judge recently ruled that the Trump administration cannot impose mandatory detention on thousands of immigrants held by U.S. immigration authorities without giving them the opportunity to provide a bond to secure release. A nationwide class of immigrants who were already living in the United States when they were detained is now legally entitled to a hearing to determine whether they can be released on bond while their deportation cases move forward, according to U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes in Riverside, CA.

As of a week ago, about 65,000 people were being held in immigration detention across the United States. For thousands of families and asylum seekers, this ruling restores a crucial due-process safeguard. Immigration detention operates in a "gray" area between civil proceedings and punitive penalties. For many detained immigrants, a bond hearing can mean the difference between returning to their families or remaining in detention for months. If you or a loved one is currently in ICE detention, an experienced Lombard, IL immigration attorney may be able to help.  

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