Essig Law Blog | Family Law, Estate Planning & More

10 Feb 2023

Many Essig Law clients often ask our laywers, “Do I need a realtor to sell my house?” The simple answer is no. No real estate…READ MORE

Starting the Conversation: Estate Planning for Your Parents

12 Aug 2022

No one likes to admit to getting old. Even when we hit younger milestones of 21 or 30, it's our favorite complaint: "I'm getting too…READ MORE

Keeping Parents Accountable: What to Do When Your Ex Doesn’t Pay Child Support

13 Jun 2022

After a divorce is finalized and child custody arrangements are agreed upon, you and your children can move on to a new chapter in your…READ MORE

Secure Visitation Rights with Help from Essig

24 Feb 2022

While a divorce is never a pleasant process, it can be made more challenging with the negotiation of child custody and visitation. Even with children…READ MORE

What NOT to Do During a Contested Divorce

29 Nov 2021

Divorce isn’t a subject most people like to talk about. Even as a family law office, Essig Law takes no joy in the dissolution of…READ MORE

3 Scary Tales of Estate Planning Gone Wrong

14 Oct 2021

As we settle into the "spookiest" month of the year, what better time to share some horror stories of estate planning gone wrong? The popular…READ MORE

What Can Be Done for a Smoother Divorce Process?

8 Dec 2020

No one’s ever said divorce would be easy. A separation between you and your spouse can be one of the most traumatic, most stressful moments…READ MORE

What happens at your real estate closing?

26 Jul 2019

You found the Illinois home of your dreams. You made an offer to purchase it and the seller accepted your offer. You found a mortgage…READ MORE

Buying a home with or without a realtor

12 Jul 2019

With the spring season in full swing now, many more signs advertising homes for sale are likely seen throughout neighborhoods in Illinois. If you are…READ MORE

Why do short sales take so long?

12 Jul 2019

The short sale process in Illinois is nothing if not detailed. These are not standard real estate transactions. Realistically, most people should prepare for delays…READ MORE

Facing foreclosure? Here are some possible alternatives

29 Jun 2019

Chances are, your Illinois home is one of your most valuable assets, and you may find yourself feeling uneasy and stressed out if anything threatens…READ MORE

What happens to home equity when you divorce?

28 Jun 2019

When you go through a divorce in Illinois, you will undoubtedly need to untangle many elements of your life from that of your ex, and…READ MORE

Traditional alimony is slowly disappearing

7 Jun 2019

It used to be the case that when a couple got divorced in Illinois, the male was primarily responsible for making alimony payments to the…READ MORE

A closer look at the defining points of your real estate contract

2 Jun 2019

Whether you are preparing to purchase your first home in Illinois or have just finished the preparations for buying an additional property, understanding the contract…READ MORE

Planning and being proactive can help you pay mortgage

27 May 2019

When you are signing the closing documents for your home, you cannot help but feel proud and excited about your future in your new place.…READ MORE

Will your foreclosure destroy your financial future?

19 May 2019

Building your financial foundation and planning for your future requires consistency and regular monitoring to identify areas where you can improve to prevent debt. However,…READ MORE

When the divorce process impacts your career

4 May 2019

People often focus on the emotional impact of their divorce, or they may think about property division, how their children will be affected by the…READ MORE

What can go wrong when closing on a home?

30 Apr 2019

Buying a home is a dream of most people, so it's natural to be quite excited once closing day rolls around. However, be aware that…READ MORE

Moving into a new home due to divorce

19 Apr 2019

The divorce process can bring up many challenges, from legal issues that raise questions and concerns to emotional hardships such as depression. Moreover, someone’s life…READ MORE

What makes a prenuptial agreement invalid in Illinois?

14 Apr 2019

Prenuptial agreements are not just for the ultrarich or celebrities. If you have any personal or business assets you wish to protect, or if you…READ MORE

Tackling debt during a divorce

13 Apr 2019

Divorcing spouses in Illinois often put a lot of time and energy into figuring out how they split up their marital estate. This may include…READ MORE

Steps to take in preparation for closing on a property

30 Mar 2019

Whether it is someone's first time buying a home or they have purchased one in the past in Illinois, the excitement and anticipation can be…READ MORE

Simplifying your divorce

22 Mar 2019

People often have negative connotations come to mind when they think about the divorce process, especially if they are preparing for a divorce or are…READ MORE

Understanding divorce from the perspective of your children

16 Mar 2019

One of the most difficult parts of your pending divorce may be seeing the effect it is having on your children. Despite the growing divide…READ MORE

Can you stop your ex-spouse from taking the kids out of state?

15 Mar 2019

As a parent, you may have a difficult enough time as is saying goodbye to your children for the weekend, knowing full well that they…READ MORE

Debt division in a divorce

3 Mar 2019

For many people in Illinois, the mention of a divorce may conjure up challenging negotiations between spouses about how they will split up their marital…READ MORE

Can you go to jail for not paying child support in Ilinois?

28 Feb 2019

The loss of a job, changes in family situations, purposeful action or any other number of reasons may contribute to people falling behind on their…READ MORE

Can you take your share of a 401k now?

24 Feb 2019

As you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse work your way through your property division proceedings, one of the more complex assets you are both going to…READ MORE

Can you get your child support changed?

17 Feb 2019

Like most custodial parents in Illinois, you rely on child support to help you make ends meet. However, finances can be challenging, even when you…READ MORE

How do courts enforce alimony payments?

8 Feb 2019

When the Illinois courts make support orders, they do not do so lightly. For this reason, when a party to divorce fails to uphold his…READ MORE

Keeping your emotions under control during your divorce

28 Jan 2019

As your divorce begins, experiencing the emotional turmoil of your uncertain future is bound to become a prevalent burden. At Essig Law Office, we understand…READ MORE

What should you know about your lender?

19 Jan 2019

When you are buying or selling properties in Illinois, one of the professionals you will need to negotiate with is your lender. Your lender will…READ MORE

Parental alienation can be incredibly harmful for everyone

11 Jan 2019

When parents in Illinois are staring down a divorce, the thought of how their relationship change will affect their own relationships with their children can…READ MORE

Learning how to prevent legal issues in real estate

5 Jan 2019

The real estate industry in Illinois is full of competition with people strategizing on many different levels to get their properties bought and sold. As…READ MORE

Can an unsecured creditor collect debts when you sell your home?

4 Jan 2019

If you plan to sell your Illinois home for a profit so that you can pay off any outstanding debts you have incurred, you may…READ MORE

Is your inheritance subject to distribution in divorce?

28 Dec 2018

Because Illinois is an equitable distribution state, divorce judges typically split marital assets in as fair a manner as possible. "Fair" does not always equate…READ MORE

What expenses does child support cover?

26 Dec 2018

There is a gross misconception amongst the general public and newly divorced individuals that child support should only cover the necessities such as food, clothing…READ MORE

How easements work

9 Dec 2018

People in Illinois who are looking to buy a home will need to carefully evaluate not only features like the condition of the home, square…READ MORE

Who can put a lien on my home?

4 Dec 2018

If you try to sell your home in Illinois, you may run into trouble if there is a lien on it. A lien is a…READ MORE

What are seller disclosure requirements in Illinois?

1 Dec 2018

If you plan to sell residential real estate in Illinois, there are certain legal requirements of which you should be aware. One such requirement is…READ MORE

How does standard of living affect spousal support?

29 Nov 2018

It is common knowledge among the general population and Illinois courts that married couples enjoy certain financial advantages that disappear once that couple gets divorced.…READ MORE

How do you prepare your home for sale?

14 Nov 2018

When you are thinking about selling your home in Illinois, the lyrics to an old song may give you some guidance on how to prepare:…READ MORE

The different types of alimony in Illinois

7 Nov 2018

It often seems that as soon as the issue of divorce comes up between you and your spouse, so too does the matter of alimony.…READ MORE

Increasing the chances of a favorable custody decision

28 Oct 2018

For many parents, a child custody dispute is one of the most stressful experiences they will ever have. After all, there is a great deal…READ MORE

Can child support continue after a child turns 18?

26 Oct 2018

18 seems to represent a magical age in that once one reaches it in Washington, they are officially independent and no longer reliant on the…READ MORE

What costs will I pay when buying a home?

16 Oct 2018

Before you embark on the process of buying a home in Illinois, you may want to familiarize yourself with the different expenses involved. Most people…READ MORE

What assets are not marital property?

9 Oct 2018

One of the most complex parts of a divorce is the division of property. This is because the law has specific ideas about what is…READ MORE

What factors impact how much alimony is required?

28 Sep 2018

With your divorce a certain decision, you are now facing the task of rebuilding your life as an independent person. Depending on the length of…READ MORE

Mediation leads to a healthy divorce

25 Sep 2018

If you and your spouse have recently decided to end your marriage, you may be dreading the prospect of appearing in Illinois divorce court. Fortunately,…READ MORE

Tips for dealing with a delinquent ex

16 Sep 2018

Despite the fact that you and your ex arranged a child custody agreement that clearly disclosed the amount of money your ex owes you each…READ MORE

Making room in your budget for child support payments

9 Sep 2018

As you continue to work through your divorce in Illinois, you are beginning to realize that the way you spend your money needs to change…READ MORE

Emotional funeral service held for slain mother and children

2 Sep 2018

Domestic violence is a prevalent problem that often goes unrecognized by friends and family of the victim. In fact, sometimes it can be so well…READ MORE

Can you get a property lien removed?

28 Aug 2018

For one reason or another, you have a lien on your property. While a seemingly small issue at first, liens can actually be quite the…READ MORE

Deciding if selling your home is right for you

20 Aug 2018

You have toyed with the idea of selling your home in Illinois, but you cannot decide if the decision is right for you. Selling your…READ MORE

Tips for successfully borrowing money for your home

14 Aug 2018

You are just beginning the process of buying your first home in Illinois. You are excited at the thought of being able to own some…READ MORE

Domestic situation to blame for deadly shooting

6 Aug 2018

While divorce is rarely a pleasant process for many Illinois couples, there are times when excessive emotional trauma, jealousy and anger can lead to dangerous…READ MORE

How can you help your child through relocation?

29 Jul 2018

You and your spouse have made the difficult decision to part ways and pursue a divorce in Illinois. A consequence of this decision means that…READ MORE

What you need to know about selling your house without a realtor

22 Jul 2018

You have recently decided to list your home for sale and are trying to determine whether or not you should do it independently or with…READ MORE

Is divorce seasonal?

18 Jul 2018

There are certain times of year when you may feel like you hear about divorces more often in Illinois. Is this just your imagination or…READ MORE

How can I cope with a difficult ex during a divorce?

10 Jul 2018

A divorce is rarely ever an easy process. It becomes even more difficult when your ex does not want to cooperate. This can create tension…READ MORE

Coordinating child visitation without compromising your sanity

3 Jul 2018

Following your recent divorce in Illinois, you are now working hard to coordinate a functional child visitation agreement with your ex. Both of you agree…READ MORE

When to request a modification to your alimony agreement

3 Jul 2018

You have been divorced for quite some time and during the initial court proceedings, you and your ex reached an agreement that you would be…READ MORE

Technology is changing the way the real estate market functions

26 Jun 2018

Over the years, the way that people buy and sell property has become exponentially more efficient and effective as newer methods of transferring property have…READ MORE

How can you effectively negotiate with creditors?

17 Jun 2018

You are interested in starting to accumulate properties around Illinois to turn around and sell and to rent to some great tenants. Your decision will…READ MORE

Failing to pay child support could mean consequences for you

12 Jun 2018

You have just been issued a recommendation for child support that you will be paying continuously to your ex-spouse in order to help provide for…READ MORE

What do I do if a neighbor encroaches on my property?

1 Jun 2018

Neighbors can often be great. In fact, you can make life long friendships just by getting to know your neighbors. However, other times, neighbors can…READ MORE

As gender equality improves, more women paying alimony

20 May 2018

When couples decide to pursue a divorce in Illinois, they are immediately faced with a barrage of important decisions to make. Choices that will ultimately…READ MORE

Can you be an effective parent even if you do not have custody?

14 May 2018

You are relieved that your divorce is nearing the end in Illinois. However, now you are faced with the challenge of continuing to parent your…READ MORE

Understanding how title issues could affect a home sale

5 May 2018

For people looking to buy or sell property in Illinois, issues with the transfer of a title can result in time-consuming confusion. Often, especially if…READ MORE

Will the new tax law affect your alimony payments?

3 May 2018

You may feel that your marriage is coming to an end, but financial issues or other matters may be keeping you from filing for an…READ MORE

What you should know about selling your home on your own

21 Apr 2018

You have decided to sell your home, but you are not interested in working through third parties to find a new owner. The thought of…READ MORE

Domestic disturbances over child support

13 Apr 2018

Child support can generate a number of concerns, from a parent’s inability to pay what they owe to legal hurdles related to the establishment of…READ MORE

Making it through the holidays after your divorce

7 Apr 2018

You feel like you have done considerably well coping with your divorce and the whirlwind of changes it has brought with it. However, a holiday…READ MORE

Your obligations to buyers when selling your home

4 Apr 2018

If you own a home in Illinois and decide to sell, there is a significant amount involved with this process. After putting a sign in…READ MORE

What should you do with your finances after a divorce?

3 Apr 2018

Working your way through divorce can be time consuming as you make impactful decisions regarding your future as an independent individual. For one, adjusting your…READ MORE

Dealing with a home sale following a divorce or separation

26 Mar 2018

For many Illinois couples who are coping with a volatile marriage, the idea of divorce is often a solution that allows both parties to eventually…READ MORE

Understanding how courts calculate child support payments

19 Mar 2018

For divorcing couples in Illinois who have had children together, the idea of continuing to raise their children without a martial relationship can be exceptionally…READ MORE

How much of your inheritance you may keep in the divorce

16 Mar 2018

When you received your inheritance, it was a windfall for your family. However, now that you and your spouse are getting an Illinois divorce, you…READ MORE

Who is responsible for a mold problem in your new home?

8 Mar 2018

Building a home or purchasing a home for your Illinois family is exciting, but it can be devastating to learn there are potential complications with…READ MORE

What happens at the closing?

8 Mar 2018

The last step before you finally own your home in Illinois is the closing, and as the day approaches, you may be looking forward to…READ MORE

Will a judge order an unemployed parent to pay child support?

2 Mar 2018

If your spouse is unemployed and you are headed for an Illinois divorce, you may wonder whether you will receive any child support at all.…READ MORE

Do I have to let my neighbor drive across my property?

21 Feb 2018

If you have recently purchased an acreage in Illinois, and a neighbor has an access road across the property, you may wonder if you have…READ MORE

What to do if you are the non-custodial parent

12 Feb 2018

If you are going through a divorce in Illinois, you may have already been faced with some of the challenges of separating from your ex-spouse.…READ MORE

Can an Illinois divorce be stopped once it is started?

8 Feb 2018

Every marriage goes through rough patches, and you may have thought that the issues you and your spouse are facing are things the two of…READ MORE

Protect your future today with a prenuptial agreement

7 Feb 2018

Engaged Illinois couples have much to look forward to, and few of them likely consider what will happen in case their marriage does not end…READ MORE

Before you spend your first alimony check

2 Feb 2018

Receiving an alimony award in an Illinois divorce may make a person feel relieved that he or she will be taken care of. However, there…READ MORE

Can you avoid losing your business during a divorce?

22 Jan 2018

If you and your spouse are seeking a divorce in the state of Illinois, you may have already begun to think about the list of…READ MORE

If you cannot pay your child support payment

12 Jan 2018

As the noncustodial parent, you have been making your child support payments regularly since your divorce was finalized in Illinois. However, you suddenly find yourself…READ MORE

Do you need an attorney when you sell your home?

8 Jan 2018

Your house in Illinois is more than a home; it is an investment. While selling it can be emotional as you pack up the memories…READ MORE

Is your family hoping to move forward with stepparent adoption?

5 Jan 2018

Many Illinois families grow and expand through adoption. There are a few different types of adoption, and in your case, you may not want to…READ MORE

Before signing a commercial lease

2 Jan 2018

Committing to a location is a major factor for business owners in Illinois. Even when someone finds the storefront that has the right foot and…READ MORE

How do you know if an item is worth fighting for?

28 Dec 2017

You expect to downsize as you go through the Illinois divorce process, but that does not mean you are willing to give up some of…READ MORE

New GOP bill could complicate divorce for people paying alimony

16 Dec 2017

Couples who have run into irreconcilable differences in their marriage may turn to divorce as a promising solution to ending volatile relationships and creating newfound…READ MORE

Can a premarital agreement prevent an alimony award?

15 Dec 2017

Before you and your spouse married in Illinois, you sat down and talked about the future of your finances together. Both of you agreed that…READ MORE

Reducing the complications in a high-asset divorce

6 Dec 2017

If you are planning to file for divorce in Illinois, you know that you are facing a potentially complex and lengthy process, especially if there…READ MORE

The importance of an honest disclosure report

6 Dec 2017

The house has curb appeal, and on the inside, it looks pristine. However, Illinois homebuyers should not fall in love with a home based on…READ MORE

Suggestions for maintaining mental health through a divorce

27 Nov 2017

Often, many divorcing couples in Illinois become so focused on what their ex is doing, how things are unfolding and achieving desirable outcomes, that they…READ MORE

Can unpaid child support affect passport applications?

21 Nov 2017

Many people realize that unpaid child support can affect families in a variety of negative ways, from creating financial hardships for children and custodial parents…READ MORE

What to know when selling your home by yourself

13 Nov 2017

If you are looking to sell your home in Illinois, you may have started to consider your options when it comes to preparing your home…READ MORE

What is and is not covered by title insurance

8 Nov 2017

When making a real estate purchase in Illinois, a buyer receives the title that proclaims him or her the new owner and the recipient of…READ MORE