In re Marriage of Treva S., 2024 IL App (5th) 240615-U

In the case "In re Marriage of Treva S. and Drew T." from the Illinois Appellate Court, Treva S. appealed a trial court's order from May 7, 2024, which modified parenting responsibilities but denied her requests to alter parenting time and decision-making responsibilities regarding extracurricular activities. Treva claimed there were substantial changes in circumstances that warranted these modifications. The court evaluated allegations of inappropriate behavior by Drew T., including instances of using foul language around the children and failure to supervise them properly.

During the proceedings, a guardian ad litem (GAL) recommended that Treva be granted sole decision-making power over health and extracurricular activities, and that Drew undergo anger management counseling. However, the trial court ultimately upheld the original alternating weekly parenting schedule and maintained joint decision-making over extracurriculars, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to show that Drew's parenting posed a serious risk to the children's well-being.

Treva's appeal was dismissed largely because her brief failed to comply with the requirements of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 341(h)(7), which necessitates clear arguments supported by citations to authorities and the record. The appellate court found that Treva did not adequately articulate her claims or provide proper legal arguments, leading to the forfeiture of her arguments on appeal. Consequently, the appellate court affirmed the trial court's order.