Posted on December 14, 2025 in Divorce

Illinois divorce courts determine a business's value by reviewing financial records, examining how the business operates, and applying accepted valuation methods. The goal is to understand the true economic value of the company so the court can divide property fairly.

As of December 2025, Illinois continues to follow an equitable distribution model that requires accurate business valuations. If your divorce involves a business, a West Chicago, IL divorce attorney can help you understand how the court reviews these records and what to expect as the case moves forward.

What Is Considered Marital vs. Non-Marital Business Property in Illinois?

Before the court decides how much a business is worth, it must determine whether the business is marital property, non-marital property, or a mix of both. Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, specifically 750 ILCS 5/503, marital property includes assets gained during the marriage. This means a business that was started during the marriage is usually considered marital.

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 Posted on November 15, 2025 in Divorce

You know your spouse makes good money. You have lived a comfortable life together. But now that divorce is on the table, the financial picture your spouse is presenting does not add up. Bank accounts seem smaller than they should be. Assets have disappeared. You have a gut feeling that money is being hidden, but you do not know how to prove it.

Hiding assets during divorce is more common than most people think. Some spouses start moving money months or even years before filing. Others wait until divorce papers are served and then scramble to hide what they can. Either way, marital assets must be divided fairly and hiding assets is illegal. Our Warrenville, IL divorce attorney can help you find hidden assets and get a fair divorce decree.

Why Do Spouses Hide Assets During Divorce?

Money equals power in divorce. The more assets your spouse can hide, the less they figure they will have to share with you. Under 750 ILCS 5/503, marital property gets divided equitably. This means fairly, while taking many factors into consideration.

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 Posted on October 16, 2025 in Divorce

During a divorce, some of the most pressing issues to address are often related to the division of marital property. Disputes over property division can get heated, especially if one spouse purposely wasted, destroyed, or misused marital assets before or during the divorce. In Illinois, this behavior is known as asset dissipation, and it can directly affect how the court divides property.

If you are going through a divorce and believe your spouse has dissipated marital assets, an experienced DuPage County, IL divorce attorney can help you understand your legal options. By addressing asset dissipation correctly, you can hold your spouse responsible for their actions and take steps to protect your financial interests.

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 Posted on September 12, 2025 in Divorce

When facing a divorce, many people picture a long, drawn out court battle. In Illinois, however, the vast majority of divorce cases do not go straight to trial. Judges expect spouses to try mediation first, especially when children are involved. Mediation is a less confrontational way to resolve a case, and it usually saves time, money, and stress.

At the same time, going through mediation does not mean you do not fight for your rights or that you do not need an attorney to look out for your interests. At Hensley Sendek Law, our Naperville family lawyer guides clients through divorce mediation. But first, we offer free consultations to help you understand whether mediation may be the right step for you.

What Is Divorce Mediation?

Mediation is when an unbiased third party, called a mediator, helps spouses work through issues like property division, parenting time, child support, and alimony. The mediator does not make decisions or take sides. Instead, the mediator helps along the discussion, points out possible compromises, and helps the couple reach agreements.

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 Posted on August 17, 2025 in Family Law

For high-net-worth couples, marriage often involves more than emotional commitment; it also merges substantial assets, business interests, investments, and sometimes multiple real estate holdings. A prenuptial agreement, or "prenup," is the most effective way to define how those assets will be treated if the marriage ends. When written carefully, it protects both parties, avoids expensive disputes, and provides both spouses clarity and strategy from the start.

Attorney Sendek has nearly 20 years of experience practicing law, with a background in complex divorce, high-asset cases, and business valuation. She is a Warrenville family lawyer who truly understands the intricacies of protecting substantial wealth while preserving fairness in the agreement. If you are planning your marriage and your life together as a new couple, contact our firm today to learn about your options for creating the perfect prenup. 

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 Posted on July 18, 2025 in Divorce

When a marriage ends, dividing property is often one of the most emotional and complicated parts of the process. In Illinois, property division is not as simple as splitting everything in half. The law requires a careful analysis of what belongs to the marital estate and what does not, and for couples with significant or complex assets, the process can become even more challenging.

DuPage County, IL divorce attorney Jessica Sendek has extensive experience with high-asset and complex divorces. Understanding how Illinois law treats property division can help you prepare for what lies ahead.

Marital Property vs. Non-Marital Property in Illinois

Illinois is an equitable distribution state, which means that property is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, between spouses. The first step is to determine which assets are marital property and which are non-marital property.

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 Posted on June 20, 2025 in Divorce

One of the most common questions people going through a divorce ask is how long the process will take to finalize. The answer depends on a variety of factors, including how contested the issues are and how cooperative both spouses are. Some divorces can be finalized in just a few months, while others may take over a year to complete.

As of June 2025, Illinois law does not require a mandatory separation period for most divorce cases. However, the timeline for your divorce will still depend heavily on your specific situation and where your case is filed. To learn more about the Illinois divorce process, speak with a Wheaton, IL family law attorney who can answer your questions and help you form realistic expectations.

What Affects the Timeline of an Illinois Divorce?

Under 750 ILCS 5/306, otherwise known as the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, there is no required timeline for every divorce in Illinois. However, a few factors play a major role in determining how long your case may take:

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 Posted on May 17, 2025 in Child Custody

When a parent takes a child out of the United States without the other parent’s permission and refuses to return, the result can be terrifying. Many parents feel helpless when dealing with another country’s legal system, especially when language barriers and unfamiliar laws are involved. Fortunately, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction provides a legal process to help bring the child back.

If your child has been taken to another country, our West Chicago, IL family law attorney can help. We offer free consultations and have experience handling international custody disputes under the Hague Convention.

What Is the Hague Convention?

The Hague Convention is an international treaty that protects children from being wrongfully removed or kept away from their home country. The United States is a party to this treaty, along with more than 100 other nations.

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 Posted on April 29, 2025 in Child Support

Child support in Illinois is designed to ensure that both parents contribute financially to their child’s well-being, regardless of how much time the child spends with each parent. But what happens when the parent receiving support starts earning more money than the parent paying it? Can you stop paying child support in that situation?

The short answer is no — not automatically. However, you may be able to request a modification of your support obligation. Contact our Winfield, IL child support lawyer to learn more. 

How Is Child Support Calculated in Illinois?

Illinois uses an "income shares" model to calculate child support. This method uses the combined income of both parents, the number of children, and the amount of parenting time each parent has. The goal is to provide the child with the same proportion of financial support the child would have received if the parents still lived together.

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 Posted on March 20, 2025 in Divorce

Divorce can be an emotionally taxing process, but for some, it is also a chance for a fresh start. Whether you are sure you are ready to remarry a new partner or are considering reconciling with your former spouse, you may be wondering: Can you get married immediately after your divorce is finalized? Our Illinois family law attorney explains.

Is There a Waiting Period for Remarriage in Illinois?

Unlike some states that have a waiting period before a divorced person can remarry, Illinois has no such restriction. Once the judge signs your final divorce decree and the court enters the judgment, you are legally free to marry again. However, while the law may allow for a quick remarriage, there are personal and practical considerations to keep in mind.

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