The Law Firm of Erin N Birt, PC

06/02/2026

Illinois family law uses specific language when it comes to children and divorce, and understanding that language early can make a meaningful difference in how families approach the process.

Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the legal framework distinguishes between parental responsibilities and parenting time. These are not interchangeable terms. Parental responsibilities refers to decision-making authority over significant areas of a child's life, including education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities. Parenting time refers to the schedule each parent has with the child. Both are addressed in a parenting plan, which Illinois courts require in all cases involving children.

This distinction matters in practice. Families who understand it early tend to have more focused, productive conversations about what they actually want for their children, rather than getting caught up in terminology that is frequently misunderstood or confused with concepts from other states.

If you are working through what parenting arrangements could look like for your family, the 90-Day Restorative Divorce Workbook includes weekly reflection tools covering the relational and practical sides of this transition: https://www.birtlaw.com/90-day-restorative-divorce-workbook

06/02/2026

A few years ago, I started bringing pictures of my dogs to work to show the children I represented. It completely shifted the energy in the room.

Today, those pictures have turned into stories that encourage children through divorce, change, uncertainty, and difficult emotions.

Rudy & Ali: A Listening Ear & A Cozy Corner was inspired by 20 years of representing children in court, and by the comfort, companionship, and unconditional love dogs can bring to hurting hearts.

It has been one of the most meaningful creative projects of my life, and I’m grateful for everyone who has supported it along the way.

Have you ever had a pet who left a lasting mark on your heart?

🔗 in bio if sharing this book could help a child you love.

06/01/2026

The early stages of divorce in Illinois can feel overwhelming, not because the process is impossibly complex, but because most people have never been through it before and do not know what to expect.

In Illinois, divorce is legally referred to as dissolution of marriage. Before proceedings begin, one spouse must have been a resident of Illinois for at least 90 days. From there, the process involves a range of decisions covering parental responsibilities, parenting time, asset division, and support arrangements, all of which benefit from early preparation and clear thinking.

What many clients do not realize is that the approach they choose at the beginning shapes everything that follows. A thoughtful, structured start tends to produce more considered outcomes than one driven by urgency or reaction.

If you are in the early stages and unsure where to begin, the 90-Day Restorative Divorce® Workbook was designed for exactly this moment. It provides week-by-week structure to help you move forward with clarity and confidence, before, during, or after the process: https://www.birtlaw.com/90-day-restorative-divorce-workbook

06/01/2026

I was recently asked about being a divorce attorney for over 20 years.

I think it’s really about applying your own set of values to your practice and helping others not destroy what they can have.

05/29/2026

The language people use when entering divorce often reflects the framing they have internalized: winning, fighting, protecting themselves at all costs.

That framing tends to produce a process that mirrors it.

The Restorative Divorce® Pathway starts from a different premise. Divorce is a significant transition, not a battle. The decisions made during this time will shape how both people move forward, and in families with children, how they continue to parent together for years to come.

A different approach is possible. One that prioritizes structure, clear communication, and outcomes that both people can live with.

The 90-Day Restorative Divorce® Workbook offers a week-by-week structure for navigating divorce with clarity and intention, before, during, or after the process: https://www.birtlaw.com/90-day-restorative-divorce-workbook

05/28/2026

People often expect the process of divorce to feel like a series of dramatic turning points. In reality, most progress is quieter than that.

It looks like a conversation that went better than expected. A decision that took a week instead of a month. A moment where you felt clear enough to move forward.

These smaller moments add up. They are not signs that nothing significant is happening. They are often the most important steps in the process.

Giving yourself space to regroup is still movement forward. You do not need every answer today.

If you are looking for a grounded, practical place to start, the 90-Day Restorative Divorce® Workbook provides weekly reflection tools and goal-setting space to help you move forward with confidence: https://www.birtlaw.com/90-day-restorative-divorce-workbook

05/27/2026

The most effective parenting plans account for not just the routine days but also the harder ones: school breaks, transitions, unexpected schedule changes, and the moments that require both parents to communicate clearly and calmly.

Building flexibility into your plan from the beginning is not a sign of uncertainty. It is a sign of realistic, long-term thinking.

Children do not need perfection across both homes. They need consistency, predictability, and the sense that both parents are working in their direction.

The 90-Day Restorative Divorce® Workbook is designed for anyone navigating divorce, whether you are preparing, in the middle of the process, or rebuilding afterward. It is available for purchase or included with Birt Family Law services: https://www.birtlaw.com/90-day-restorative-divorce-workbook

05/26/2026

Katie’s story offers a powerful look at the lasting emotional impact divorce can have on children and families. Through honesty, resilience, and emotional insight, her essay reflects why child-centered communication, emotional awareness, and healthier pathways through divorce matter so deeply for parents navigating family transition. Read more in our new blog: How Divorce Impacts...

Katie’s story offers a powerful look at the lasting emotional impact divorce can have on children and families. Through honesty, resilience, and emotional insight, her essay reflects why child-centered communication, emotional awareness, and healthier pathways through divorce matter so deeply for ...

05/26/2026

Mediation is not a debate. It is a facilitated process designed to help both people think clearly, communicate directly, and reach agreements they can actually live with.

The conversations that happen in mediation tend to be more productive than those in a courtroom, not because there is less at stake, but because both parties have more ownership over the outcome.

When the process is approached with preparation and good faith, it often leads to agreements that hold up over time and require far less revisiting.

If you are looking for a grounded, practical place to start, the 90-Day Restorative Divorce® Workbook provides weekly reflection tools and goal-setting space to help you move forward with confidence: https://www.birtlaw.com/90-day-restorative-divorce-workbook

05/26/2026

Most families do not begin divorce wanting war.

So why do so many divorces escalate so quickly?

Episode 2 of Season 4 explores The Kitchen Table Divorce® philosophy and why many families may benefit from more structure, education, and thoughtful planning before conflict takes over.

Listen now via the website link in bio or at www.birtlaw.com/podcast