Posted on May 18, 2026 in Child Custody

When parents separate, custody questions are often the hardest to resolve. The U.S. Census Bureau reported about 13.9 million custodial parents in 2022. These are parents raising children when the other parent lives outside the home. That number shows just how common parenting disputes and child support issues are across the country. 

If you plan to file for divorce in 2026, knowing how Illinois courts make these decisions can help you protect your relationship with your child. For guidance specific to your situation, contact a Joliet, IL child custody attorney at Jordan Steele & Associates, LLC today.

Does Illinois Still Use the Term 'Child Custody'?

Illinois no longer uses the words "custody" or "visitation" in family court. Since January 1, 2016, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act replaced those terms with two concepts: parental responsibilities and parenting time. Parental responsibilities cover who makes major decisions for the child. That includes choices about education, health care, and religion. Parenting time refers to the schedule of when the child is with each parent. The focus is on function, not on one parent "winning" over the other.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on April 21, 2026 in Divorce

Once you decide to end your marriage, knowing what to expect can make the process far less overwhelming. Illinois divorce law is straightforward in structure, even when the personal details are not. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 672,502 divorces across the country in 2023, which means hundreds of thousands of families navigated the same steps you are facing now. If you plan to file for divorce in 2026, a Joliet divorce attorney can help you understand your options and protect your rights at every stage.

Does Illinois Require a Reason to File for Divorce?

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, which means neither spouse has to prove the other did something wrong. The only legal ground for divorce is irreconcilable differences, which means that the marriage has broken down and cannot be fixed. Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/401), a court grants a divorce once it finds that irreconcilable differences caused the breakdown, that efforts at reconciliation failed, and that trying again would not serve the family's best interests.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on March 31, 2026 in DCFS Investigations

A knock at the door. A call from your child’s school. A letter in the mail. When the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) gets involved with your family, it can feel like the ground has shifted beneath you. Families across Illinois are affected by these investigations every year. Last year alone, Illinois DCFS reported 238,169 hotline calls and 78,093 assigned child abuse and neglect cases statewide.  

If you are facing a DCFS investigation in 2026, you are not alone, and you do have rights. Understanding what to expect, what steps to take, and what mistakes to avoid can make a real difference for your family. A skilled Joliet DCFS defense attorney can help you understand your rights and fight to keep your family together.

Continue Reading ››