We both put sweat equity into renovating our Logan Square greystone. How is that handled?

Sweat equity increases your home's value and is part of the marital estate. The current market value (often significantly higher post-renovation) is divided equitably. We can arrange appraisals that account for DIY improvements and contractor work to ensure fair valuation.

My spouse is a freelance artist with irregular income. How is child support calculated?

Illinois uses income averaging for variable earners. We analyze 2-3 years of 1099s, Schedule C income, and bank deposits to establish a fair income baseline. Courts can also impute income if someone is voluntarily underemployed.

We're unmarried but have kids and own property together. What are our rights?

Unmarried couples in Logan Square have full parental rights through Parentage Act proceedings. Property division follows contract law rather than divorce law—ownership documents and contribution evidence matter significantly. We handle both custody and property separation.

Can we use mediation to keep costs down?

Absolutely. Many Logan Square couples prefer collaborative divorce or mediation. We offer both approaches and can serve as your consulting attorney during mediation to protect your interests while minimizing conflict and costs.

My spouse wants to relocate to the suburbs for better schools. Can they take the kids?

Relocations over 25 miles require court approval in Illinois. The court weighs the children's best interests, including school quality, but also parental involvement and existing community ties. We help negotiate or contest relocation requests.

@import url('https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Cormorant+Garamond:wght@400;600;700&family=Montserrat:wght@400;500;600;700&display=swap'); *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; } :root { --color-primary: #0F172A; --color-secondary: #1E293B; --color-accent: #b8841c; --color-text-primary: #0F172A; --color-text-secondary: #4B5563; --color-text-light: #9CA3AF; --color-bg-primary: #F8FAFC; --color-bg-secondary: #EEF2F6; --color-bg-card: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.96); --color-border: #E5E7EB; --color-shadow: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.08); --font-primary: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; --font-secondary: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; --space-xs: 0.25rem; --space-sm: 0.5rem; --space-md: 1rem; --space-lg: 1.5rem; --space-xl: 2rem; --radius-md: 10px; --radius-lg: 16px; --transition-fast: 0.2s ease; --transition-normal: 0.35s ease; --transition-slow: 0.6s ease; --z-header: 10; } .dark-mode { --color-primary: #F8FAFC; --color-secondary: #1E293B; --color-accent: #c89b34; --color-text-primary: #E5E7EB; --color-text-secondary: #9CA3AF; --color-bg-primary: #0B1220; --color-bg-secondary: #111827; --color-bg-card: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.9); --color-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.35); } /* Dark mode: Tailwind utility compatibility (contrast fixes) */ .dark-mode main, .dark-mode #main-content { color: var(--color-text-primary); } .dark-mode main .text-primary, .dark-mode #main-content .text-primary { color: var(--color-text-primary) !important; } .dark-mode main .text-secondary, .dark-mode #main-content .text-secondary { color: var(--color-text-primary) !important; } .dark-mode main .text-gray-700, .dark-mode #main-content .text-gray-700 { color: #E5E7EB !important; } .dark-mode main .text-gray-600, .dark-mode #main-content .text-gray-600 { color: #D1D5DB !important; } .dark-mode main .text-gray-500, .dark-mode #main-content .text-gray-500 { color: #9CA3AF !important; } .dark-mode main .text-gray-400, .dark-mode #main-content .text-gray-400 { color: #9CA3AF !important; } .dark-mode main .bg-white, .dark-mode #main-content .bg-white { background-color: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.92) !important; border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10) !important; } .dark-mode main .bg-light, .dark-mode #main-content .bg-light { background-color: rgba(17, 24, 39, 1) !important; } .dark-mode main .bg-gray-50, .dark-mode #main-content .bg-gray-50 { background-color: rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.92) !important; } .dark-mode main .border-gray-100, .dark-mode #main-content .border-gray-100 { border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08) !important; } .dark-mode main .border-gray-200, .dark-mode #main-content .border-gray-200 { border-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.10) !important; } html { font-size: 16px; scroll-behavior: smooth; } body { font-family: var(--font-primary); color: var(--color-text-primary); background-color: var(--color-bg-primary); line-height: 1.6; } h1, h2, h3 { font-family: var(--font-secondary); font-weight: 700; color: inherit; margin-bottom: var(--space-md); letter-spacing: -0.01em; } .text-white h1, .text-white h2, .text-white h3, .text-white h4, .text-white h5, .text-white h6 { color: #fff; } a { color: var(--color-accent); text-decoration: none; transition: color var(--transition-fast); } a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } .container { max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; padding: var(--space-lg); } .card { background-color: var(--color-bg-card); border-radius: var(--radius-lg); box-shadow: 0 8px 24px var(--color-shadow); padding: var(--space-lg); margin-bottom: var(--space-lg); border: 1px solid var(--color-border); } .footer { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; background-color: var(--color-bg-card); padding: var(--space-md); text-align: center; z-index: var(--z-header); box-shadow: 0 -4px 18px var(--color-shadow); } .dark-mode-toggle { position: fixed; top: 20px; right: 20px; background: var(--color-bg-card); border-radius: 50%; width: 40px; height: 40px; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; cursor: pointer; box-shadow: 0 2px 5px var(--color-shadow); z-index: var(--z-header); border: none; } .fade-in { opacity: 0; animation: fadeIn 0.8s ease forwards; } /* Direct Answer GEO Boxes */ .direct-answer { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f8f9fa 0%, #ffffff 100%); border-left: 4px solid var(--color-accent); padding: var(--space-lg) var(--space-xl); margin: var(--space-xl) 0; border-radius: var(--radius-md); box-shadow: 0 4px 12px var(--color-shadow); transition: transform var(--transition-fast), box-shadow var(--transition-fast); } .direct-answer:hover { transform: translateY(-2px); box-shadow: 0 8px 24px var(--color-shadow); } .direct-answer-question { font-size: 1.25rem; font-weight: 600; color: var(--color-primary); margin-bottom: var(--space-md); font-family: var(--font-secondary); } .direct-answer-text { font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; color: var(--color-text-secondary); padding: var(--space-md); background: rgba(184, 132, 28, 0.05); border-radius: var(--radius-md); } .direct-answer-text strong { color: var(--color-accent); font-weight: 700; display: block; margin-bottom: var(--space-sm); } .direct-answer-author { font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(--color-text-light); margin-top: var(--space-sm); font-style: italic; } .dark-mode .direct-answer { background: linear-gradient(135deg, rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.9) 0%, rgba(30, 41, 59, 0.95) 100%); border-left-color: #c89b34; } .dark-mode .direct-answer-text { background: rgba(200, 155, 52, 0.1); } @keyframes fadeIn { to { opacity: 1; } }

Logan Square & Palmer Square

Logan Square Divorce Lawyer

Serving the creative heart of Chicago's Northwest Side. Young families, artists, and professionals navigating divorce with dignity and fairness.

Start Confidential Intake (847) 260-7330

Why Logan Square Families Choose Us

Child-Centered Custody

Young families need parenting plans that work. We create schedules around daycare, school, and both parents' work lives—not cookie-cutter templates.

Creative Income Solutions

Freelancers, gig workers, and artists have complex income patterns. We understand 1099 life and ensure fair support calculations for variable earners.

Sweat Equity Protection

You renovated that greystone together. We ensure both spouses get credit for the value they created—whether through cash or countless weekends of work.

Serving Logan Square & Northwest Side

Logan Square

Historic boulevards, farmers market

Palmer Square

Stately homes, family-friendly

Avondale

Breweries, young professionals

Hermosa

Diverse community, artists

Related Resources for Logan Square Residents

A comprehensive checklist specifically designed for your neighborhood's unique divorce considerations.

Logan Square Divorce Checklist

Printable checklist to track your divorce preparation progress. Covers documents, assets, and timeline considerations.

Get Your Free Checklist

Divorce Doesn't Have to Be War

Many Logan Square couples prefer mediation or collaborative divorce. We offer both—and fight hard when necessary. Let's find the right approach for you.

Start Confidential Intake (847) 260-7330

Call Intake