Law Works Illinois

06/22/2026

🎉 New Office Announcement! 🎉

05/23/2026

🚨 We’re Hiring! Associate Attorney ⚖️ Happy team - no hourly billing - very hybrid!

📩 To apply, send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and availability to [email protected].

05/21/2026

Looking for a GAL for your case?

05/14/2026

Join our very own Elise Meintanis as she discusses navigating the use of AI in daily practice.

VIRTUAL EVENT: AI and the Practice of Law Summit 2026

Transform your practice with AI during this virtual summit hosted by the ABA on May 18-19. This practitioner-focused program combines expert panels, TED-style talks and hands-on workshops designed for attorneys, legal ops professionals and firm leaders.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4vOZibR

05/11/2026

Do you have any cases involving a GAL? Here are some tips for when there's a home visit.

04/20/2026

Trust legal advice when it matters most.

03/25/2026

Meet our team!

Sofía Hernández is a committed Paralegal at Law Works Illinois by Harmening Law, where she provides essential support to the lead attorney in every stage of a case. Her work ensures that the attorney can focus fully on strategy and advocacy, while clients receive the guidance and attention they need throughout the process. By leveraging technology, Sofía helps matters move forward efficiently and keeps communication clear and accessible.

Her background in law and experience both as a litigator and consultant allow her to bring valuable insight and structure to the firm’s work. Sofía is dedicated to making clients feel at ease, combining professionalism with empathy to guide them through important and often difficult moments in their lives.

In her free time, Sofía enjoys spending time with her family, reading books, and exploring art.

03/19/2026

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03/19/2026

Meet our team!

Elise Meintanis is the driven owner of Law Works Illinois by Harmening Law as an experienced attorney based in the Chicagoland area admitted to practice in both Illinois and Indiana.

Elise prides herself on serving clients on a flat-fee basis with predictable pricing while offering high quality services. Using technology to bridge the access gap is critical to her practice. Elise sets folks up for success through reasonable and well thought out expectations. She approaches her cases with care and understanding to ease clients through critical moments in their lives.

Elise was designated as a Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers in 2025, a distinction given to only 2.5% of lawyers in the state.

Beyond her role as a legal professional, Elise is a mother, high school debate coach, a musician, and passionate crafter. She loves a good podcast and is always looking for a good book series to read.

03/19/2026

How Child Support Is Calculated in Illinois?

Many parents assume child support is decided based on opinion or negotiation alone. In Illinois, however, child support is calculated using a structured legal model known as the Income Shares Model.
The goal of this model is simple: to estimate the amount parents would have spent on their child if they were living together and then divide that financial responsibility proportionally between both parents.
How the Calculation Generally Works
1. Combined Net Income
The court first determines each parent’s net income and combines both amounts.
2. Each Parent’s Percentage Share
Each parent’s financial responsibility is based on their percentage of the total combined income.
3. Basic Child Support Obligation
Illinois statutory guidelines provide tables that estimate the cost of raising a child at different income levels.
4. Parenting Time Adjustment
If both parents exercise significant parenting time (generally 146 overnights or more per year), the calculation may be adjusted to reflect shared parenting responsibilities.
5. Additional Expenses
Courts may also allocate:
Health insurance premiums
Childcare expenses
Extracurricular costs
Educational or medical expenses

While the formula provides guidance, every case involves unique financial and parenting circumstances.
Understanding how child support is calculated can help parents approach the process with clearer expectations and less uncertainty.

We welcome general questions or experiences related to child support matters—every family situation brings different considerations.

This post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.