Block Reid

10/13/2026

Meet Julia M. Copeland, Partner at Block Reid.

Since 2010, Julia has exclusively practiced family law. She takes time to know every client on a professional and personal level. That way, her representation works for the client and their children.

As a mother herself, Julia understands the weight of parenting matters. She brings compassion and practical advice to every case.

Julia also knows divorce costs often come from savings meant for retirement or college. She works efficiently and strategically to protect those resources.

Recognized by Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers, Julia puts families first in everything she does.

Work with Julia: https://rizzoyoung.biz/julia-copeland

10/07/2026

Going through a divorce in Lake County, Illinois?

Our latest blog breaks down the entire process, from jurisdiction and filing through service, response, and the final judgment.

Our team covers what Illinois law requires before a court can hear your case, the documents you'll need to file, and what happens if your spouse doesn't respond.

For couples with significant assets, we also cover the financial affidavits and disclosures that often become part of the record.

Read the full guide on our blog: https://rizzoyoung.biz/lake-county-divorce

A Lake County divorce follows a specific legal process set by the 19th Judicial Circuit Court, moving through several stages, from initial filing to a final judgment.

09/30/2026

Five Block Reid attorneys earned recognition in the 2027 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists.

Congratulations to Gloria E. Block, Russell M. Reid, Gabriela O. Asrow, and Julia M. Copeland on their Super Lawyers selection. Congratulations also to Jonas M. Hwang, named a 2027 Rising Star.

The selection combines peer nominations, independent research, and 12 indicators of professional achievement. We're proud of the work each attorney does for Chicago-area families every day.

Read the full announcement: https://rizzoyoung.biz/2027-super-lawyers

09/23/2026

Block Reid leads with , and our team lives it every day.

As Managing Partner, Gabriela Asrow guides families through divorce, parenting time, child support, and more.

Gabriela is a certified mediator and collaborative divorce practitioner, but she also knows when a case calls for firm advocacy in court.

For Gabriela, the goal is always the path that best protects your family.

Need guidance on a family legal matter?

Work with Gabriela: https://rizzoyoung.biz/gabriela-asrow

09/16/2026

When step-parents work together, everybody wins.

As blended families make up a growing share of American households, we work to keep them apprised of key legal considerations:

🔷 Parenting plans account for stepchildren.

🔷 Estate plans reflect your new family.

🔷 Postnuptial agreements protect what each spouse brings into the marriage.

Block Reid guides blended families towards building a legal foundation as strong as their bond.

For our team, isn't a mere tagline; it epitomizes how we approach every case.

See how we can help: https://rizzoyoung.biz/blockreid

09/09/2026

Back in 2024, Illinois updated its spousal maintenance law. With the passage of Public Act 103-0967, courts changed how they calculate income for maintenance and child support.

Now, judges need an evidentiary hearing or an agreement from both parties before imputing income to a spouse. Additionally, the updated law clarifies that incarceration does not count as voluntary unemployment when courts calculate support.

These changes affect how attorneys and courts approach maintenance negotiations throughout the state, especially in cases involving disputed or uncertain income.

Read the full blog: https://rizzoyoung.biz/il-spousal-maintenance

Illinois spousal maintenance, once known as alimony, remains one of the most closely watched issues in a divorce case. Illinois law still asks courts to weigh several factors.

09/02/2026

Block Reid congratulates Gloria Block, Principal & Founder, on her recognition in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 edition, earning honors in both Family Law and Family Law Mediation.

Marking the directory's 33rd edition, Best Lawyers selects honorees through a peer-review process, with nominations from attorneys outside the nominee's firm.

Judges, attorneys, and mental health professionals often turn to Gloria in difficult custody disputes. Courts frequently appoint her, with agreement from opposing counsel, to help resolve them.

This recognition builds on a career that includes honors from Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers. In 2025, Law Bulletin Media named her a Top Woman in Law.

Read the full announcement: https://rizzoyoung.biz/2027-best-lawyers-gloria-block

08/26/2026

⚖️ Illinois divorce law has changed significantly over the past century. Couples no longer need to prove fault in court to end a marriage. Today's standard focuses on irreconcilable differences and whether reconciliation is realistic, a shift that reflects how family courts approach divorce today.

Our latest blog traces this evolution, from the fault-based grounds of 1874 to the no-fault framework Illinois uses now, and what it means for couples navigating divorce in Cook and Lake County.

Read the full story: https://rizzoyoung.biz/illinois-no-fault-divorce

Illinois no-fault divorce law changed how couples end a marriage in the state, replacing decades of fault-based grounds with the standard of irreconcilable differences.

08/18/2026