Posted on March 09, 2026 in Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is very common. The National Domestic Violence Hotline reports that over one in three women and one in 10 men in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

If you’re leaving a marriage that involves domestic violence, you’re likely wondering if your partner’s abuse will affect the divorce proceedings at all. You may want the court to formally recognize your spouse’s abuse through limited child custody. Or you may worry that your spouse will refuse to do things like pay child support as a way to punish you for leaving.

Our Rolling Meadows divorce attorney is here to help you understand how domestic violence might affect your 2026 divorce case and how you can leave the relationship safely. 

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 Posted on February 28, 2026 in Child Support

Your ex is getting paid off the books, under the table…whatever expression you like. If you’re expecting them to pay child support, it's not just the IRS who needs to know more about that money and how much of it there is.

Parents getting paid in cash to avoid paying child support is more common than you might think, and it is incredibly frustrating. If your ex is hiding income, know that there are tools to fight back and make sure your child gets the support they deserve. A Skokie child support attorney can help you use them.

Does My Ex Have to Pay Child Support if They Get Paid in Cash?

Every person who owes child support must pay that support, regardless of how they receive their paycheck. Courts determine child support payments based on a parent's gross income per 750 ILCS 5/505. That income includes cash, tips, side jobs, and anything else a parent earns, even if it never shows up on paper.

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 Posted on February 12, 2026 in Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Bringing up a prenuptial agreement with your fiancé can feel awkward or uncomfortable. Many people worry that asking for a prenup suggests they expect the marriage to fail or that they do not trust their partner. However, prenuptial agreements are practical legal tools that protect both spouses. They can actually improve your relationship by encouraging open communication about money and expectations.

If you want to talk about a prenuptial agreement with your partner but are not sure where to start, a Cook County prenuptial agreement attorney can help explain the benefits to both you and your future spouse. Our office has been helping Illinois couples with family law matters since 1984, and we are ready to help you in 2026.

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 Posted on January 30, 2026 in Domestic Violence

If someone is making you feel unsafe, getting a restraining order – legally called an order of protection – can give you safety and peace of mind. But what happens if the order expires and the behavior continues? Or if you need protection from different people at different times? What about several people at the same time? Is there a limit to how many orders you can get?

If you have real reasons to fear for your safety in 2026, you have the right to get as much protection as you need. A Rolling Meadows domestic violence attorney can help you understand the process and the evidence you need to support your request.

What Are the Different Types of Restraining Orders in Illinois?

Illinois has several types of protective orders, depending on your situation:

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 Posted on January 15, 2026 in Child Support

If you have a child with special needs, you may worry about how their extra care will affect child support payments in 2026. Unfortunately, parents of children with special needs get divorced much more often than other parents.

This can put a lot of strain on whoever ends up taking the most care of the child. Children with disabilities often need more medical care, therapy, and support than other children. Illinois law understands this and allows courts to change child support to meet these needs. If you need help with child support questions, our Cook County family law attorney can guide you through.

What Makes a Child "Special Needs" Under Illinois Law?

Illinois does not have one legal definition of "special needs" for child support purposes. Instead, courts look at whether a child has physical, mental, or emotional disabilities that cost more money than raising a child without them.

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 Posted on December 18, 2025 in Divorce

Before divorce proceedings begin, it can be difficult to tell whether negotiation will be successful. Spouses often surprise each other in negotiations when fights break out over small issues. Likewise, a couple may also be surprised by how smoothly they can negotiate. Both mediation and divorce trials have pros and cons, so it is advisable to weigh your options before committing to either one. 

Though divorce can come with much uncertainty, our Rolling Meadows divorce attorney at The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, L.L.C. can guide you through the proceedings. Mr. Ross has over 40 years of experience in family law, so you can trust him to provide you with effective counsel for your needs. 

What Are the Benefits of Divorce Mediation? 

Mediation can be a great strategy for couples who can communicate well and are willing to work hard to minimize hostility and resentment. Openness, honesty, and a willingness to put certain personal differences aside will help divorcing parents focus on more important things like asset division, child support, and child custody. 

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 Posted on December 04, 2025 in Spousal Support

During a divorce, spousal support (also called alimony or maintenance) may be a major point of contention. Spousal support is a court-ordered form of financial assistance that is paid from one spouse to another, usually for a specific time period, when the court determines that support is necessary to prevent one spouse from suffering undue hardship. If you are against the idea of paying support, a Cook County, IL family law attorney can help protect your interests and represent you in court.

At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, L.L.C., we have over 30 years of legal experience, allowing us to navigate divorce-related concerns with confidence. As a Certified Public Accountant, Attorney Curtis Ross is more than qualified to help with financial issues in a divorce, including alimony disputes.

Three Ways to Fight a Spousal Support Petition in a Divorce

Citing a Marital Agreement

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 Posted on November 21, 2025 in Paternity

For many parents, paternity is not an ongoing concern, but rather a given. For unmarried fathers and other non-traditional families, however, establishing paternity is a critical priority. If you are unsure about your rights as a biological father or need help asserting your parental rights, consider working with a Rolling Meadows, IL family law attorney.

At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, L.L.C., we are well-versed in the laws surrounding paternity in Illinois. With over 30 years of legal experience, our solo attorney can provide you with qualified counsel and strong advocacy. We represent mothers and fathers in contested issues of parentage, working to resolve disputes as efficiently as possible.

What Rights Does Paternity Come With?

Paternity is not something to be taken for granted. It comes with several rights and responsibilities, including:

• Rights to seek child custody, including decision-making responsibility and parenting time

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 Posted on October 22, 2025 in Child Custody / Parental Responsibilities

When you and your ex have different ideas about how to handle custody, you may end up in a prolonged legal dispute over your child. If you are unfamiliar with Illinois law, you may feel like you are at a disadvantage during the proceedings. During this stressful period, having a lawyer is very important.

At The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, L.L.C., we can provide you with legal counsel to help protect your parental rights. With over 30 years of legal experience, our Skokie, IL child custody attorney has represented numerous clients in family law disputes, so you can trust us to stand up for you in a contested custody dispute.

Understanding Your Parental Rights in a Custody Dispute

No Undue Restrictions on Parenting Time

You may wonder if the judge will show favoritism to your ex in the allocation of parenting time based on traditional assumptions about mothers and fathers. In Illinois, however, parenting time is split according to what is best for the child, first and foremost. Furthermore, the law specifically states that "the court shall not place any restrictions on parenting time" (750 ILCS 5/602.7) unless it would pose a serious risk to your child’s well-being.

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 Posted on October 07, 2025 in Child Custody / Parental Responsibilities

Divorcing as a parent can be intimidating. You will have to view your bond with your child through a legal lens and make a case for a parenting arrangement that aligns with the court’s standards. You will also have to familiarize yourself with some potentially unfamiliar terminology. A Cook County, IL family law attorney can guide you through the custody proceedings and keep you informed of your rights.

Since 1984, The Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, L.L.C. has stood as a devoted advocate for families across Cook County. As an experienced divorce lawyer and a certified guardian ad litem, Attorney Curtis Ross is qualified to advise you in your custody case.

Three Terms to Know in a Divorce With Children

It is easy to feel overwhelmed when confronted with legal jargon in a court case. In a child custody case, you will want to familiarize yourself with these terms ahead of time.

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