Law Office of Russell D. Knight

Law Office of Russell D. Knight Full service family law firm located in downtown Chicago. Call us today for more information.

06/23/2026

Divorce is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through.

When clients trust us to guide them through that process, we take that responsibility seriously.

I've always believed that an informed client makes better decisions.

That's why I've spent years writing articles, answering questions, and explaining Illinois family law in plain English. My goal isn't just to represent my clients. It's to help them understand the process, the law, and the options available to them.

I’m grateful for the kind words and even more grateful for the opportunity to help families move forward.

06/22/2026

Many divorced parents assume they can take their child on vacation without giving it much thought.

In reality, travel can raise important legal issues, especially when it involves out-of-state or international trips.

The answer depends on your parenting agreement, where you are traveling, and the specific facts of your case.

Before you make plans, make sure you understand your rights and obligations.

06/21/2026

If you had described my future twenty years ago, this probably isn’t what I would have drawn up.

Fatherhood changed the way I think about almost everything. Success looks different. Time feels more valuable. The things that once seemed important don’t carry the same weight anymore.

These kids are the best. They’re bright. They’re funny. They’re opinionated.

They regularly explain technology to me as if I’m a visiting dignitary from the 1800s.

Being their father has been the best part of my life.

To all the dads out there, Happy Father’s Day.

Divorce changes a marriage.It does not change the importance of a father.The fathers who stay involved, remain consisten...
06/21/2026

Divorce changes a marriage.

It does not change the importance of a father.

The fathers who stay involved, remain consistent, and put their children first have an immeasurable impact on their children's lives.

This Father's Day, we celebrate the dads who continue to show up.

What is the most important lesson your father taught you?

Can child support and maintenance take more than half of your income?Many people assume the answer is no.The reality is ...
06/19/2026

Can child support and maintenance take more than half of your income?

Many people assume the answer is no.

The reality is that support calculations depend on several factors, and the outcome is not always what people expect.

Read the article linked in the comments or visit our website to schedule a call with a lawyer.

A divorce can look very different depending on whether it is filed in Illinois or Florida.The differences go far beyond ...
06/18/2026

A divorce can look very different depending on whether it is filed in Illinois or Florida.

The differences go far beyond geography. Property division, maintenance, parenting issues, child support, timing, and litigation leverage can all change based on where the case is filed.

I recently presented a CLE for IICLE on how attorneys can evaluate jurisdictional options when a client has connections to both states. We covered the practical considerations that should be addressed at intake, the strategic advantages and disadvantages of each forum, and how filing location can affect the ultimate outcome of a case.

If you handle family law matters involving Illinois and Florida, the program is now available on-demand.

One credit hour.

The link is in the comments. Feel free to ask me anything about this. Happy to share.

06/17/2026

Town & Country contacted me for comment on the Belle Burden prenup dispute after seeing one of my videos about her book, Strangers.

The dispute centers on a prenuptial agreement that allegedly left Burden with far fewer financial rights than she understood when she signed it, raising questions about disclosure, bargaining power, and whether both spouses truly understood the long-term consequences of the agreement.

It's always gratifying when legal analysis reaches beyond the courtroom and contributes to a broader discussion. The story may be extraordinary, but the lesson is not: understand the agreements you sign before you sign them.

Honored to be quoted in the article. I'll link it in the comments. Town & Country

The Law Office of Russell D. Knight is growing, and we're looking for an exceptional Family Law Paralegal to join our te...
06/16/2026

The Law Office of Russell D. Knight is growing, and we're looking for an exceptional Family Law Paralegal to join our team.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and takes pride in producing excellent work. Previous Illinois family law experience is strongly preferred.

This is an opportunity to work alongside a highly respected family law team handling divorce, custody, prenuptial agreements, and complex financial matters while helping clients through some of the most important transitions of their lives.

We offer a remote-first culture, professional autonomy, competitive benefits, and a team environment built around excellence—not micromanagement.

If you are looking for meaningful work, challenging cases, and a firm that invests in its people, we would love to hear from you.

Please send me a direct message to learn more and apply.

06/16/2026

What happens to child support when someone goes to prison?

Under current Illinois law, incarceration does not automatically stop a child support obligation. That means many parents leave prison owing tens of thousands of dollars in child support arrears they had no realistic way to pay while incarcerated.

That changes in 2027.

Under the new law, if a parent is incarcerated for more than 180 days, their child support obligation will automatically drop to zero during that period.

Support that accrued before incarceration will still be owed. But new support will no longer continue piling up while a parent is serving a lengthy prison sentence.

Is that fair?

Some people will argue that children still need support regardless of where a parent is. Others will argue that creating impossible debt only makes it harder for people to rebuild their lives after release.

06/15/2026

The most expensive words in family law:

“We’ll figure it out as we go.”

A lawyer’s tip: The more important something is to your child, the less you should leave it unwritten.

Who pays for travel sports?
Who chooses camps?
What happens when schedules conflict?
Can a parent move?
How are major decisions made?

When the answer is “we’ll discuss it later,” what you’re really doing is postponing the argument.

A good parenting plan isn’t about trust.

It’s about clarity.

Address

1165 N. Clark # 700
Chicago, IL
60610

Opening Hours

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

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