Chicago Illinois Family Law Blog

Why Celebrities Get Divorced in California (and Why It’s Different in Illinois)

By Nottage and Ward on May 16, 2025

When celebrity divorces dominate headlines, from high-stakes settlements to revelations of lavish lifestyle, it’s easy to assume that’s how divorce works everywhere. But many of those high-profile breakups play out under California divorce laws, which are very different from the laws in Illinois.

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Who Gets the Points? Dividing Travel Rewards, Credit Perks, and Loyalty Programs

By Nottage and Ward on May 14, 2025

When people think about property division during divorce, they often focus on homes, investment accounts, and retirement funds. But these days, many couples have accrued valuable assets that aren’t quite so obvious, such as airline miles, hotel rewards, credit card points, and other loyalty perks.

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Posted in: Divorce

How to Plan Financially for a Divorce When You’re in the Spotlight

By Nottage and Ward on May 7, 2025

For professionals with high public visibility, such as executives, doctors, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and entertainers, divorce isn’t just a personal and financial matter. It can also be a risk to your reputation. Every disclosure, negotiation, and court appearance carries the potential to affect your net worth, business interests, and personal brand.

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Posted in: Divorce

Why Celebrity Divorces Are Often Filed in Private: Can You Seal Yours in Illinois?

By Nottage and Ward on April 22, 2025

From Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen to Bill and Melinda Gates, high-profile divorces often make headlines—but not always with the level of personal exposure you’d expect. That’s because many celebrity divorces are usually filed privately or have aspects of their records sealed from public view. This isn’t just about fame. It’s about public record protection, financial security, and emotional peace of mind.

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Posted in: Divorce

Second (or Third) Marriage? How to Keep the Peace (and the House)

By Nottage and Ward on April 15, 2025

Remarriage later in life often brings joy, companionship, and a second chance at happiness. But it also comes with legal and financial complexity.

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Posted in: Divorce

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s Parenting Dispute: What Happens When One Parent Wants to Relocate

By Nottage and Ward on April 9, 2025

Celebrity divorces often bring public attention to complex legal questions that many families quietly struggle with every day. One recent example is the headline-making dispute between Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities.

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Posted in: Child Allocation

Celebrity Prenups: Why They Matter (and When They Can Be Challenged)

By Nottage and Ward on April 2, 2025

Prenuptial agreements—often simply called prenups—aren’t just for the ultra-wealthy or high-profile Hollywood couples.

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Why Kevin Costner’s Divorce Sparked a Fight Over Monthly Support

By Nottage and Ward on March 30, 2025

When Hollywood actor Kevin Costner’s divorce hit the headlines in 2023, it wasn’t just the famous name or real estate headlines that grabbed attention. What quickly became the focus was the support battle. Costner’s estranged wife requested six figures in monthly support, citing their lavish lifestyle, while Costner’s legal team argued for a significantly lower figure.

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No-Fault Divorce in Illinois

By Leslie Fineberg on March 12, 2025

Illinoise is a “no-fault” state. It allows you to move forward without the need to prove that someone is at fault for the breakup when ending your marriage.

Still, it’s important to understand that this path might come with its own set of challenges. This is especially true when establishing asset division, maintenance payments, and arrangements for the allocation of parental responsibilities.

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Posted in: Divorce

What You Can Learn From Jeff Bezos’ Divorce If You Own a Business

By Nottage and Ward on February 18, 2025

When Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, finalized his divorce in 2019, it became one of the most expensive—and educational—separations in history. With a fortune exceeding $130 billion at the time, the stakes were astronomical.

While the case was settled without public litigation, it highlighted a key reality for entrepreneurs: business ownership doesn’t exist in a vacuum, especially in a divorce.

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Posted in: Property Division

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