Your Divorce Lawyer Has Asked to Withdraw: What Happens Next?
Understand the motion, the court’s decision, and the steps needed to keep receiving notices in an Illinois case.
Read the guideIllinois family-law library
Court procedure in Illinois
Motions, hearings, attorney fees, appeals, and the court process.
Court procedure
1–24 of 49 guides
Preparing for a Divorce Pretrial Conference
A pretrial or case-management conference helps the court identify what remains disputed and what must happen before trial.
Read the guideFinding the Rules That Apply in Your Divorce Courtroom
Illinois divorce procedure involves statewide rules and the instructions of the circuit, division, and assigned courtroom.
Read the guidePreparing a Clear Closing Argument in Divorce Court
Closing argument explains what the admitted evidence shows and what decision the court should enter.
Read the guideReasonable Diligence in Serving Illinois Divorce Papers
Opening a case does not complete service. A dated record of meaningful attempts helps address delay and contested notice.
Read the guideCan a Self-Represented Spouse Face Sanctions in an Illinois Divorce?
Illinois Rule 137 applies to signed court papers from lawyers and self-represented parties, with a focus on reasonable inquiry and proper purpose.
Read the guideKeeping an Illinois Divorce Focused: Case Management and Proportionate Discovery
A focused case plan identifies the decisions that matter, the proof needed, and the work that can be narrowed.
Read the guideHow a Divorce Lawyer Can Support a Client With Diminished Capacity
A lawyer should preserve the client's own role in decisions as far as reasonably possible when capacity is diminished.
Read the guideWhat Is a Certified Question in an Illinois Divorce Appeal?
Rule 308 provides a possible route to appellate review of a qualifying legal question before the entire case ends.
Read the guideWhat to Do When Part of a Divorce Court Record Is Missing
First identify whether the missing item was filed, offered in evidence, or recorded in a hearing.
Read the guideUnderstanding Proof of Service in an Illinois Divorce
Proof of service records how court papers were delivered.
Read the guideEmail Service in an Illinois Divorce: Which Papers Need More?
Understand the difference between emailing routine divorce filings and legally serving the summons that begins the case.
Read the guideWhich Divorce Discovery Documents Belong in the Court File?
Illinois discovery is usually exchanged between parties rather than filed wholesale with the clerk.
Read the guideDoes Appealing an Illinois Divorce Order Stop Enforcement?
An appeal and a stay serve different purposes.
Read the guideFrivolous Divorce Filings and Illinois Rule 137
Losing a motion does not automatically make it frivolous.
Read the guideWhich Illinois Divorce Orders Can Be Appealed?
The right to appeal depends on the order, not simply on how important the dispute feels.
Read the guideThe Clock for Appealing an Illinois Divorce Decision
Appeal deadlines are tied to specific orders and rules.
Read the guideWhat Clear Communication With a Divorce Lawyer Should Look Like
Trust in a divorce representation grows from clear responsibilities, accurate information, and candid advice about choices.
Read the guideWhy a Private Letter to Your Divorce Judge Can Create Problems
A private letter asking a judge to decide a disputed issue is generally the wrong way to be heard.
Read the guideCan an Illinois Divorce Lawyer Charge a Percentage of the Outcome?
Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 prohibits specified contingent fees in domestic-relations matters, including fees tied to securing a divorce or the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement in lieu of it.
Read the guideKeeping Track of Deadlines in an Illinois Divorce
A divorce case has several different clocks: responding to papers, producing discovery, preparing for hearings, and seeking review of orders.
Read the guidePresenting Sensitive Facts Without Turning a Divorce Filing Into an Attack
Sensitive facts sometimes matter in an Illinois divorce, but the pleading should explain their connection to the requested relief.
Read the guidePreparing for an Illinois Divorce Trial
Trial preparation turns disputed issues into a clear plan for testimony, exhibits, and requested orders.
Read the guidePreserving a Divorce Issue for Appeal Starts in the Trial Court
An appellate court reviews the trial-court record.
Read the guideThese guides provide general information. Individual facts, current law, and court orders determine the advice appropriate for your case.
Put the information to work
Family-law representation in Chicago.
When you need advice about your own situation, explore how Mia Tarbhai and Rose Tarbhai Law Group can help.