Essig Law Blog | Bankruptcy, Family Law, Estate Planning & More

Should you hire a lawyer when you buy a house?

5 Oct 2017

The largest purchase that most Illinois residents make is buying a house. After spending a significant amount of time finding the house that's perfect for…READ MORE

The eviction process in Illinois

3 Oct 2017

Landlords in Illinois may run into a situation where they need to evict a renter. The eviction process is highly regulated by the law. It…READ MORE

Coping with emotional turmoil during a divorce

28 Sep 2017

For many divorcing Illinois couples, the decision to separate is not one that is taken lightly or without deep thought. However, despite the feeling that…READ MORE

Getting rid of a troublesome renter is not always easy

7 Sep 2017

Property ownership and management has its rewards and drawbacks. Whether you have owned rental property for years or are just beginning your career as a…READ MORE

Does back child support affect taxes?

1 Sep 2017

Whether you are a non-custodial parent who is obligated to pay child support or you are responsible for raising a child and are not receiving…READ MORE

Financial support should not be a gender issue

30 Aug 2017

In marriage, spouses in Illinois may have to make some major compromises in their careers for the sake of their relationship. When the relationship ends,…READ MORE

Dealing with a mortgage in a divorce

25 Aug 2017

When a couple divorces in Illinois, one of the main tasks to accomplish is dividing property. This is often difficult not only because couples may…READ MORE

Illinois lawmakers adopt new child support model

17 Aug 2017

Financial challenges are a focus for both parents when they are planning their Illinois divorce. Both the parent who has to pay child support and…READ MORE

What are some signs that I should divorce my spouse?

11 Aug 2017

Most Illinoisans go into their marriages with the mindset that they will be with their spouses forever. However, all marriages are not built to last.…READ MORE

What does your divorce mean for your small business?

7 Aug 2017

When an Illinois couple decides to file for divorce, it will certainly initiate several significant changes in the lives of both parties. While the end…READ MORE

The basics of residential real estate

2 Aug 2017

In addition to holding one of the trendiest cities on the map, the state of Illinois is home to a plethora of up-and-coming suburban housing…READ MORE

For sale by owner: Considerations to make

31 Jul 2017

If you are putting your house up for sale, you may feel completely confident about it. However, at Essig Law Office, we often work with…READ MORE

Will you be required to pay alimony to your spouse after divorce?

17 Jul 2017

If you and your spouse have decided to follow through with divorce under Illinois law, you may be well aware that a barrage of decisions…READ MORE

Should you consider mediation for your divorce?

11 Jul 2017

Illinois couples facing the prospect of divorce may feel overwhelmed by the thought of a long, complicated and contentious court battle. For many couples, a…READ MORE

What should you include in a co-parenting agreement?

10 Jul 2017

Once you and your spouse have decided to divorce, you are immediately faced with a barrage of decisions to make. Choices related to child custody…READ MORE

What you need to know about short-sale deals

6 Jul 2017

Real estate transactions are legal processes, and before you make a purchase in Illinois, it is essential for you to have the information you need.…READ MORE

How can I safeguard my finances in a divorce?

28 Jun 2017

If you are getting a divorce, you are probably aware that a main point of contention will be finances. It is not uncommon for accounts…READ MORE

Can I avoid an order to pay alimony?

20 Jun 2017

If you are ordered by an Illinois court to pay alimony, then you must pay. However, you can try to prevent this order in the…READ MORE

Navigating the difficult world of parenting after divorce

13 Jun 2017

If you and your ex have had children together, your separation is the beginning of learning how to parent together despite living separate lives. Often,…READ MORE

Does genetic testing need to be done for child support?

8 Jun 2017

If you are seeking child support in Illinois, you may wonder whether or not the father of your child needs to take a DNA test…READ MORE

Making a plan when things don’t go as planned

6 Jun 2017

While getting a fair division of your assets is probably important to you, your foremost concern during your divorce is most likely your children. As…READ MORE

What is the eviction process in Illinois?

30 May 2017

As with most states, Illinois has very specific laws about eviction. If you live in a rental, your landlord must follow the guidelines set by…READ MORE

What should I disclose when selling my house?

26 May 2017

When you decide to sell your home in Illinois, you need to do more than highlight the amenities and include your asking price and photos…READ MORE

What is equitable distribution?

16 May 2017

Most states, including Illinois, are considered equitable distribution states. If you are getting divorced, you have probably heard this term. It refers to how your…READ MORE

What can I actually include in a premarital agreement?

11 May 2017

Creating a prenuptial agreement is becoming an increasingly common legal step for couples to take before getting married. This type of agreement essentially establishes both…READ MORE

What is FSBO?

9 May 2017

FSBO stands for “for sale by owner.” It is a term that you may see when you are looking at real estate in Illinois. It…READ MORE

Common mistakes made in a divorce

2 May 2017

Mistakes have a way of slowing down the process of finalizing a divorce settlement. Many Illinois couples will find that if they avoid common divorce…READ MORE

What factors affect alimony decisions?

25 Apr 2017

If you are getting divorced, you may wonder if you can get alimony. Spousal support, as it may be referred to, is allocated in Illinois…READ MORE

Child support laws are changing this July

20 Apr 2017

Perhaps your marriage has been struggling for a while and you are considering divorce. Or maybe you are in the divorce process and it could…READ MORE

What is a short sale?

18 Apr 2017

Perhaps as you are looking for a new Illinois home to purchase, you have come across something called a short sale. A short sale, as…READ MORE

Separate property vs. marital property

14 Apr 2017

Going through the divorce process is often emotional and may seem overwhelming to some. People are forced to negotiate terms of the divorce settlement that…READ MORE

The essential elements of residential sales contracts

7 Apr 2017

Once you've put an offer on a home, and the buyer accepts it, then it is time to draft a sales agreement. This process is…READ MORE

Manage your finances successfully during and after a divorce

3 Apr 2017

Divorce can be emotional, but it also can take a serious financial toll. It is important to understand the financial impact divorce will have both…READ MORE

An overview of spousal maintenance laws in Illinois

14 Mar 2017

It's natural for married couples who are thinking about divorce to be concerned about the financial implications of leaving their spouse - both in the…READ MORE