Family Law Blog

 The beginning of the school year is hard enough for families. There are new teachers, new schedules, and new social dynamics to navigate. Add a divorce to the mix and the new school year becomes something else entirely. The first school year after a separation is one of the most telling periods in a child's adjustment. Parents who handle it…Read More

Claire Keefe (left) connects with clients across McHenry and Lake counties through her work with Strategic DivorceTM, a family law firm founded by Michone Riewer (right). At Strategic DivorceTM, advocacy isn't just something we do in the courtroom—it's the foundation of every client relationship we build. We understand that behind every case is a person, a family, and a future…Read More

Let’s be honest. Divorce is hard. But the process itself doesn’t have to be. Whether you’ve been thinking about it for years or the decision is brand new, the first question most people ask is: How do I even get a divorce? Here’s the truth: every divorce, yes, even the amicable ones, has to address some core issues. If you…Read More

WORDS BY MICHONE J. RIEWER & MEGAN E. FALSAFI PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES GUSTIN STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA HAIR & MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST Strategic DivorceTM attorney Michone J. Riewer discusses Illinois law as it applies to pet custody in divorce. In Illinois, courts previously viewed animals as property. Pet custody did not appear in divorce case law until 2015. In…Read More

A 2017 Illinois statute changed child support calculations and could decrease payments despite an increase in the payor’s salary. Attorney Michone J. Riewer breaks down the calculations pre and post statute. WORDS BY MICHONE J. RIEWER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES GUSTIN OF FIG MEDIA STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA HAIR AND MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST There has been a substantial change in…Read More

MICHONE J. RIEWER, Managing Partner at Strategic DivorceTM, knows that divorce is often one of the hardest life challenges a family can experience. “Going through a divorce or other family law matter is emotionally and financially difficult, even under the best circumstances,” she says. “Choosing the right lawyer to minimize the financial and emotional drain on you, your children, and…Read More

MICHONE J. RIEWER PARTNER STRATEGIC DIVORCETM Michone J. Riewer, a Partner at Lake Bluff-based Strategic DivorceTM, loves helping people and solving problems. “Being a divorce attorney allows me to do this every day. We help people through the hardest time of their lives,” says Riewer, who holds a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law. She has been…Read More

  Words By Michone J. Riewer / Photography By Katrina Wittkamp / Styling By Theresa Demaria Although both Divorce and Legal Separation are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, they are not the same. In Illinois, couples facing marital difficulties have the option of pursuing either a legal separation or a divorce. While both processes involve…Read More

MICHONE J. RIEWER, a Partner at Lake Bluff-based Strategic Divorce, loves helping people and solving problems. “Being a divorce attorney allows me to do this every day,” says Riewer, who holds a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law. “We help people through the hardest time of their lives.” She has been practicing for more than 25 years…Read More

Navigating the nuances of family law should consider the advice of a skilled professional. words by Michone Riewer photography by Katrina Wittkamp styling by Theresa DeMaria hair & makeup by Leanna Ernest Big life events often call for advice beyond your own circle of friends and family. Among those are divorce and pregnancy, which surprisingly have a lot of similarities.…Read More