An Introduction to Court Proceedings

Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce has made a big splash in the news. In this podcast, Lavelle Law family law attorneys Joe Olszowka and Kristina Buchthal Alkass discuss the importance of prenuptial agreements - and not just for the wealthy.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a preliminary list of nearly 70 jobs that qualify for “no tax on tips.” The occupations include a wide range of services spanning from Rickshaw drivers to digital content creators.

On August 20, 2025, the First District of the Illinois Appellate Court decided Chicago Title Land Trust Co. v. Watkin, 2025 IL App (1st) 241354 (August 20, 2025). At issue in Watkin was whether the expiration of the statute of limitations barring enforcement of a mortgage also extinguishes the mortgage lien.

The Illinois General Assembly has updated the Probate Act of 1975 to improve the small estate affidavit process for settling estates without formal probate. Effective immediately, this amendment offers significant benefits for Illinois residents managing a loved one's estate.

A common consideration in a divorce case is who will get to keep the family pet. Illinois has a specific law that addresses this issue. In this video, divorce attorney Joe Olszowka explains the various factors the court considers when there is a pet involved in an Illinois family law case.

Lavelle Saves Homeowner from Real Estate Tax Bill Disaster - In the end, our client clawed back ownership of his family’s home and was made whole on the attorney fees he was forced to pay to rectify this unfortunate situation.

Recently, OEMs like Tesla and Rivian implemented a direct-to-consumer approach that many state motor vehicle dealer laws are intended to prohibit. On May 27, 2025, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) submitted a Public Comment, defending state franchise laws.

Join Lavelle Law for an informative presentation tailored to individuals seeking expert guidance on critical family law matters. Our experienced family law attorneys will break down three key areas — prenuptial/postnuptial agreements, collaborative divorce, and child custody.

On August 7, 2025, the IRS announced that, as part of its phased implementation of the July 4th One Big Beautiful Bill Act, there will be no changes to certain information returns or withholding tables for tax year 2025 related to the new law. The IRS outlined key relevant changes to tax filers effective for '25 - '28.