Hayes Law, LLC

Hayes Law, LLC Hayes Law represents clients in a wide range of family law matters relating to divorce

07/31/2026

🎓 Who Pays for College After Divorce? The Answer Surprises Most Parents. 👀

Think your child turns 18 and your financial obligations end?

Not necessarily.

In Illinois, a judge can order divorced or separated parents to contribute to college expenses—even after a child becomes a legal adult.

💰 Tuition
📚 Books & Fees
🏠 Housing
🍽️ Meal Plans
🎓 Other Qualified Educational Expenses

But here’s the part many parents don’t realize…

There is no automatic 50/50 split. The court considers multiple factors, including:
✔️ Each parent’s financial resources
✔️ The child’s financial resources
✔️ The standard of living the child would likely have enjoyed if the marriage had remained intact
✔️ The child’s academic performance and commitment to education

Waiting until senior year of high school to learn these rules can be a costly mistake.

📖 Read our full article for a deeper breakdown. Link in bio.

Have questions? Drop them in the comments.

07/23/2026

Rebuild. Refocus. Reclaim. This is your fresh start. 🏡✨
Divorce and separation don't come with a manual — but this August 5th, you get one.
Introducing Her Fresh Start: a free evening for women ready to stop surviving and start rebuilding. No judgment. No overwhelm. Just real answers from Flavia Hayes and women who've helped hundreds do exactly what you're about to do.
📍 Scissor & Fork Hair Salon & Cafe, 3968 N Elston Ave, Chicago
📅 Wednesday, August 5, 2026
🕠 Doors 5:30 PM | Program 6:00–7:30 PM | Networking until 8:00 PM
🎟️ FREE — registration required (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/her-fresh-start-tickets-1994096394997)
Meet the women in your corner:
💼 Helena Gonzalez, JD — Executive Coach
⚖️ Flavia Pocari Hayes, JD — Family Law Attorney
🛡️ Katherine Tapiero — Insurance Advisor
🏡 GeGe Jourdan — Global Real Estate Advisor
💰 Mai Nanthavinh — Mortgage Loan Officer
Whatever "starting over" looks like for you — new home, new budget, new chapter — you don't have to figure it out alone.
Tag a woman who needs to see this. Then bring her. 💌
📩 Questions? [email protected]

06/25/2026

💍 When two of the world's most valuable personal brands prepare to marry, the prenuptial agreement becomes as significant as the ceremony itself.

Reports indicate that Taylor Swift — with an estimated net worth of $2 billion — and Travis Kelce ($90 million) are finalizing a comprehensive prenuptial agreement ahead of their anticipated July 2026 wedding.
If true, what would their prenup actually protect?
💍 Taylor Swift has built a multi-billion-dollar music empire.
🏈 Travis Kelce has earned millions through the NFL, endorsements, and business ventures.
A thoughtfully drafted prenuptial agreement wouldn't be about expecting divorce—it would be about protecting the businesses, investments, intellectual property, future earnings, and financial legacy each has worked so hard to build.
Our newest article explores:
✔️ What Taylor Swift would likely want to protect
✔️ What Travis Kelce would likely negotiate
✔️ How celebrity prenups compare to those available for everyday couples
✔️ What Illinois law allows couples to include in a prenuptial agreement
Whether you're worth $100,000 or $1 billion, a prenup can provide clarity, certainty, and peace of mind before marriage.
👉 Read the full article through the link in our bio.
Would you sign a prenup before getting married? Tell us why or why not in the comments. 👇
—Photo credit Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

03/13/2026

⚖️ Illinois is a “no-fault” divorce state—but what does that actually mean?
In Illinois, you do not need to prove that your spouse did something wrong—such as adultery, abandonment, or other misconduct—to obtain a divorce.
Instead, the law recognizes “irreconcilable differences” as the only ground for divorce. This means the marriage has broken down and attempts at reconciliation would not be in the best interests of the family.
Because Illinois is a no-fault state, the court focuses less on blame and more on resolving the important legal and financial issues, including:
👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting time and decision-making responsibilities
💵 Child support
🏡 Division of marital property and debts
🤝 Spousal maintenance
While you do not have to prove fault to get divorced, the process still involves complex decisions that can significantly impact your finances, your children, and your future.
📖 Our newest article on the Hayes Law LLC website explains what “no-fault divorce” really means in Illinois and how it impacts the divorce process.
🔗 Read the full article at the link in our bio.
If you are considering divorce or want to better understand your rights, the team at Hayes Law LLC is here to help guide you through the process.
📞 Hayes Law LLC | Chicago Family Law Attorneys

📢 New on the Blog! 🧾💍➡️💔Divorce already feels complicated — your taxes shouldn’t add to the stress.Our latest article br...
01/27/2026

📢 New on the Blog! 🧾💍➡️💔
Divorce already feels complicated — your taxes shouldn’t add to the stress.
Our latest article breaks down everything you need to know before you file your taxes during an Illinois divorce — from filing status changes to deductions, claims, and common mistakes people make every year.
👉 Whether you’re just starting the divorce process or closing the chapter, this guide helps you:
✅ Understand how divorce impacts your tax return
✅ Learn who can claim dependents & exemptions
✅ Avoid costly filing errors
✅ Plan ahead for smarter financial outcomes
Read it now and file with confidence.
🔗 Link in bio!

01/21/2026

🌟We are proud to announce that our attorneys, Flavia Hayes and Nicole MacMillan have been selected by Super Lawyers as 2026 Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Stars!🌟 This distinction is awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys under 40 based on peer recognition and professional achievement. We are grateful for this recognition and committed to serving our clients with excellence!

01/06/2026

📍 What Is a Child’s “Home State” & Why It Matters
If you’re navigating custody or parenting time, one term can change everything: the child’s home state.
👶 What does “home state” mean?
Under the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA)—which applies in Illinois and all U.S. states—a child’s home state is:
➡️ The state where the child has lived with a parent (or person acting as a parent) for at least 6 consecutive months immediately before a custody case is filed.
➡️ For children under 6 months old, it’s the state where the child has lived since birth.
🏛️ Why does home state matter?
The child’s home state usually has exclusive authority to:
• Decide custody and parenting time
• Modify parenting plans
• Enforce parenting orders
In other words—home state = power to decide your case.
🚨 Why allowing a parent to move out of state can be risky
If one parent relocates with the child without agreement or a court order, serious consequences can follow:
⚠️ The new state may become the child’s home state after 6 months
⚠️ Illinois courts may lose jurisdiction
⚠️ You may be forced to litigate custody in another state
⚠️ Parenting time can become limited, expensive, or logistically impossible
⚠️ Travel costs and school disruptions can increase conflict
⚠️ Emergency court action may be required to protect your rights
⛔ Once a new home state is established, reversing it is very difficult.
🛡️ Protect your rights early
Before a child relocates:
✔️ Get a written agreement
✔️ Obtain a court order
✔️ File promptly if a move is threatened
✔️ Speak with a family law attorney immediately
📞 Thinking about moving—or worried your co-parent might?
Jurisdiction issues move fast. Your delay can become the other parent’s advantage.
📲 Call Hayes Law LLC for a free consultation today.

🦃🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from Hayes Law!🦃🍂Today we’re especially grateful for the families who trust us during some of the ...
11/27/2025

🦃🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from Hayes Law!🦃🍂
Today we’re especially grateful for the families who trust us during some of the most important transitions of their lives.
No matter what your year has looked like, we hope today brings a moment of peace, comfort, and connection. 🍁
From our family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving!

Address

53 W Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1303
Chicago, IL
60604

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13122241155

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