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When Are Orders of Protection Issued by Illinois Courts?

Orders of protection — also known as restraining orders — are issued by courts to prevent domestic violence. They restrict an alleged abuser from coming into contact with the complainant, who is typically a member of the same household or family unit. Illinois broadly defines the relationships that entitle a person to seek an order Read More

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How Illinois Courts Allocate Parental Decision-Making Authority

Beginning in 2016, Illinois changed its child custody laws by, among other things, discarding the term “child custody.” To better comport with modern views on co-parenting, Illinois courts now grant “allocation of parental responsibilities” with a view toward creating the best home environments for children. The new laws are intended to minimize adversity and encourage Read More

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Tips for Achieving a Positive Divorce Settlement

A settlement agreement is often the best way to resolve a divorce proceeding efficiently and with minimal conflict. Unfortunately, when people are going through this trying time in their lives, coming to terms on a divorce settlement can be challenging. However, divorces that are contested and require litigation are generally much more costly, lengthy and Read More

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How Long Does Spousal Support Last?

In Illinois, a family court may award spousal support — also known as maintenance — in any proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, declaration of invalidity of marriage or dissolution of a civil union. The court can determine that spousal support is justified based on either spouse’s financial need, without considering any marital misconduct Read More

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Proving Paternity in Illinois

Paternity of a child can be a contested issue in family court. Proving paternity is sometimes essential for a mother enforcing her right to child support or for a father seeking custody or visitation. The legal process of establishing a child’s paternity in Illinois can be simple or complex, depending largely on the cooperativeness of Read More

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How is Parenting Time Allocated in Illinois?

Since 2016, Illinois law has used the term “parenting time” to define what was once called physical custody and visitation. In a divorce proceeding, a court will allocate parenting time between the former spouses, either by developing a parenting plan or by approving one agreed to by the parties. The overriding consideration guiding the family Read More

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How is Child Support Calculated in Illinois?

Illinois has made a significant change in how child support is calculated in divorce proceedings. Formerly, one parent would be obligated to pay a percentage of his or her net income based on the number of children being supported. Now, in recognition of the fact that both parents have a duty to support their children, Read More

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How Illinois Courts Award Shared Decision-Making Authority Over Children

When parents get divorced, they have to make arrangements not only for where their children will live, but also for how they will be raised. Who will make decisions about their education, religious training, health care, cultural exposure and social activities? In Illinois, this authority — formerly known as legal custody — is now called Read More

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How to Change Custody and Parenting Time Orders in Illinois

There are many reasons why a child custody order may need to be modified. A parent might get a new job in a different town, become injured or suffer emotional trauma. Or a parent might be violating the current parenting time arrangement. Whatever the reason, there are situations in which when one or both parents Read More

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What Is the Primary Caretaker Presumption in Child Custody Cases?

When parents split up, both of them may seek, and receive, physical custody of their children. Ideally, parents reach an out-of-court agreement regarding custody, but when they can’t, a family court judge will step in. When a judge gets involved, preference often goes to the parent who is the child’s primary caretaker. The issue, then, Read More

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Paul Chatzky
Founder

Born in Havana, Cuba, Paul Chatzky is fluent in Spanish and English, enabling him to effectively represent a wider range of individuals and families. He is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and is listed among Illinois Super Lawyers, which is a reflection of his high ethical standards and exceptional legal knowledge. As a…

Deborah E. Chatzky Attorney Photo
Deborah E. Chatzky
Paralegal

Prior to joining the firm as a paralegal, Debbie was employed by major banking institutions as a loan processor and as an executive secretary. Debbie was also employed as an administrative assistant for the Board of Jewish Education. Having majored in Sociology, Debbie graduated from the University of Florida in 1980. Debbie completed her studies…

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