Angela Evans Law, PC

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My firm offers representation in family law, mediation, divorce, parental responsibilities, child support, property allocation, maintenance, grandparent's visitation.

04/28/2026

When Opposing Counsel Sends a “Nastygram”
By. Angela Evans

Some attorneys don’t want to put in the work to argue the facts and the law, so they send a quick nastygram email. Sometimes they know the facts don’t support what they’re asking for, and the law doesn’t either. So instead of making a reasoned legal argument, they resort to another tactic: ranting, raving, and hollering like a toddler—hoping someone eventually gives in out of sheer exhaustion.
Personal attacks from opposing counsel—statements like “I despise the way you practice law,” “you’re just wasting the parties’ money,” or even “you’re crazy”—are usually a sign of something else entirely. They often reflect an inability to explain how your attorney’s conduct violates an ethical rule or legal standard. Because if there were a real ethical issue, the argument would sound very different. It would cite a specific rule or case and say, “You can’t do X because of Y.” End of story.

Instead, when emails dissolve into insults, it’s often because your attorney is doing exactly what they should be doing—advocating effectively. When the other side has no solid argument left, they sometimes grasp at straws and turn to personal attacks.

The moral of the story:
A nastygram from an out-of-control opposing attorney is often a signal that your lawyer is holding firm on your behalf, and the other side doesn’t have a strong legal argument to make. Let your attorney handle it—and don’t take it personally. In fact, when you see that your attorney is keeping his or her cool, stating accurate facts, referring to statutes and cases that apply to your exact circumstances, you may just want to smile and recognize the strength of your position and counsel.

Disclaimer
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article or contacting the author does not create an attorney–client relationship. Legal matters are fact-specific, and readers should consult a qualified attorney regarding their own situation before taking or refraining from any action.

04/16/2026

How do I obtain an attorney in a dissolution of marriage if I have no ability to pay a retainer fee?
By. Angela Evans

If you’re going through a divorce in Illinois and can’t afford an attorney retainer, the court may order your spouse to pay interim attorney’s fees so you can hire a lawyer during the case.
The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act states in 750 ILCS 5/501(c)(C-1.5) that it allows a party to petition for interim fees (basically attorney fees while the litigation is pending) that seeks an order for the payment of an initial retainer to retain an attorney. This petition “shall have attached to it an affidavit from the attorney to be retained that the attorney has been contacted by the moving party and the attorney has agreed to enter an appearance if the court grants the relief requested, together with a certificate from the moving party that the interim fees granted will only be used by the moving party to retain the attorney. The statute further provides that “any interim fees granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be paid directly to the identified attorney.”
Explain in your first meeting with your potential attorney that you will need this affidavit so you can petition the Court to obtain the retainer fee the attorney requires.

Disclaimer:
This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and their application may vary based on the facts of each case. Reading this document does not create an attorney–client relationship. Consult a licensed Illinois attorney for advice regarding your specific situation.

What does it mean when child support is "reserved"?In family law, a reserved issue means the court has not made a final ...
04/15/2026

What does it mean when child support is "reserved"?
In family law, a reserved issue means the court has not made a final decision yet—and that is okay. This often happens when parties want to move forward with a divorce but do not yet have enough information to determine child support.
• Post‑majority child support is commonly reserved when children are still young and the issue is not ripe for determination.
• Minor child support may be reserved if income information is unavailable or if the parties agree on everything except support.
Important: When child support is reserved, potential retroactive support may continue to accrue. If support is later ordered, it can be applied back to the date of filing, sometimes resulting in a significant lump‑sum obligation.
Understanding how reserving child support works can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly surprises.
Disclaimer: This post provides general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. I practice law in Illinois, and every family’s situation is fact‑specific and evolving. Always consult an attorney who knows the details of your case.

04/12/2026

If your soon to be ex spouse asks you to sign legal papers directly while you have a lawyer, that is not allowed. When you are represented by an attorney, the other side and their lawyer are not supposed to contact you or pressure you to go around your attorney.
Under Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2 (the “no contact rule”), a lawyer is strictly prohibited from communicating—directly or indirectly—with a person they know is represented by another lawyer unless that lawyer consents. This includes attempts to send settlement agreements, pressure you to sign documents, or communicate through emails, texts, or third parties.
Key points:
• Lawyers should not use their client or anyone else to relay messages to a represented party.
• You cannot be forced to sign divorce papers without your attorney’s review.
• Any documents or messages should go directly to your attorney, not to you.
If this happens, inform your lawyer immediately. The rule exists to protect your rights and prevent overreaching.
Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship.

04/09/2026

Trying to Save Your Marriage? Be Careful About Leaving Litigation Pending.
I often hear people say, “We’re working on reconciliation, so we’re just going to let the case sit for now.” While that sounds reasonable on the surface, leaving litigation pending while trying to save a marriage can create serious — and sometimes irreversible — risks.
When a case stays open, the clock doesn’t stop. The other party can continue preparing quietly in the background: gathering financial records, working with experts, and lining up their trial strategy. If reconciliation breaks down and they suddenly push the case forward, you may find yourself dramatically behind with little ability to catch up.
One of the biggest risks involves business and asset valuations. These take time. If you haven’t started identifying assets or consulting valuation experts, and the case suddenly accelerates, you may have no reasonable explanation for why you weren’t prepared — and courts don’t tend to reward last‑minute scrambling.
Many people assume that pausing aggressive litigation protects reconciliation efforts. In reality, it can have the opposite effect: it leaves one side exposed while the other quietly preserves leverage.
If reconciliation is genuine, dismissing the case and refiling later (if necessary) is often the cleaner, safer option. If dismissal isn’t possible, at a minimum, you should still be protecting yourself — identifying assets, analyzing values, and laying groundwork so you aren’t caught flat‑footed.
Trying to save a marriage shouldn’t mean sacrificing your legal position. Hope for the best, but don’t ignore the risks of leaving a case pending “just in case.”
Legal Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. No attorney‑client relationship is created. Consult a lawyer about your specific situation.

04/08/2026

Due Diligence in Divorce Discovery
By. Angela Evans

Divorce financial discovery isn’t about mistrust—it’s about diligence.

When divorce litigation begins, the partnership and cooperation that defined the marriage often disappear. Relying solely on a spouse’s spreadsheet or informal disclosures can be risky, and in some cases, irreversible.

Illinois courts have made it clear: choosing efficiency over proper discovery can cost you the ability to recover hidden or undervalued assets later.

Before waiving formal discovery, make sure you understand exactly what you’re giving up—and why.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is fact-specific. Consult experienced legal counsel regarding your individual circumstances.

04/07/2026

Sharing Pets Post Divorce in Illinois 🐾
By. Angela Evans
Since 2018, Illinois law has allowed courts to consider what’s best for your companion animal—not just who technically “owns” it.
Prior to 2017, all pets were treated strictly as property. After January 1, 2018, courts may allocate joint or sole ownership of companion animals under the property provisions of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA §503). First, the court must determine that the companion animal is a marital asset (presumptively marital if acquired during the marriage) and that it is not a “service animal” as defined by the Humane Care for Animals Act.
When allocating ownership, the court must consider the well being of the animal. This is a sharp contrast to earlier cases, such as a 2015 decision where, lacking guidance under Illinois law, a court declined to award “pet visitation” out of concern it would lead to ongoing post divorce litigation.
Illinois was the first state to require judges to consider the welfare of family pets in divorce cases. Although early commentators speculated that expert testimony on animal placement might become common, appellate cases to date do not reflect that trend. In fact, there are no appellate cases on this issue after the law changed in 2018. Trial courts instead consider evidence like child caretaking related factors, such as caregiving history, work schedules, safety, veterinary care, and any special needs of the animal.

Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this post does not create an attorney client relationship. Every case is different, and you should consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.

04/06/2026

IMPORTANT CHANGE TO ILLINOIS MARRIAGE AND DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE ACT’S COURT-ORDERED COUNSELING IN PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY CASES
By. Angela Evans

Effective January 1, 2025, the Illinois legislature amended Section 607.6 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act in a significant way. The statute removed language stating that court-ordered counseling sessions were confidential and could not be used in litigation or relied upon by court-appointed or party-retained experts.
Previously, when a court ordered a parent or child to attend therapy or counseling, the assumption was that the sessions were entirely confidential under any circumstances. The prior version of the relevant rule stated “if counseling is ordered, all counseling
sessions are confidential, and the communications in counseling shall not be used
in any manner in litigation nor relied upon by an expert appointed by the court or
retained by a party.”

Now, Section 607.6 provides that court-ordered counseling is subject to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act and HIPAA, rather than an automatic, additional blanket confidentiality rule. This means that conversations from court-ordered therapy sessions could be considered by the court subject to those protections in HIPAA and the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Act, rather than the additional blanket protection of the prior version of the statute.

This change has important implications for family law practitioners, mental health professionals, and parents involved in allocation of parenting time cases. If you are involved in a case where counseling has been ordered—or where it may be requested—it is important to understand how these confidentiality standards apply and what information may be disclosed under existing state and federal law.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. No attorney client relationship is created.

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Peoria, IL
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