Every family is unique. That is why, at Caesar & Bender, we begin by listening. We take the time to understand your story, your priorities, and what stability looks like for you and your family—not only today, but well into the future.
Our attorneys bring nearly 50 years of combined experience handling divorce and family law matters throughout Chicago and the surrounding communities. We use that depth of knowledge to develop a thoughtful, strategic plan tailored to your life, your circumstances, and your long-term goals.
Founding partner Molly Caesar brings a distinctive perspective to family law matters through her background in psychology and social work. This training gives her a deep understanding of the emotional complexities and interpersonal dynamics involved in family disputes. That insight allows her to pursue customized solutions designed to support your family moving forward, whether through skilled negotiation or courtroom advocacy.
Founding partner Michael Ian Bender, a former Domestic Relations Judge, draws on decades of experience from both the bench and private practice to efficiently guide clients through the family law process. His practical, results-oriented approach helps clients navigate even the most challenging situations with confidence.
At Caesar & Bender, we combine strong legal advocacy with a genuine understanding of people. From start to finish, we are committed to guiding you through every step of the process.
Our longevity in the field provides a comprehensive and balanced perspective on family law. Attorney Bender has been practicing since the early 1990s, and Attorney Caesar’s accomplished trial and appellate work has earned repeated recognition from Super Lawyers and other respected peer-review organizations. We handle both routine matters and high-stakes, complex disputes with equal confidence and care.
Every case is prepared with detailed financial analysis and child-focused proposals designed to protect what matters most. When you are facing a family law issue, you deserve a team that understands not only the law, but also the people involved. Our attorneys have spent decades handling cases ranging from straightforward matters to the most complex, high-conflict situations.
If you are ready to take the next step, call (312) 236-1500 or contact us online. Your consultation is confidential, and we are here to listen.
Facing divorce or significant changes to your family can feel overwhelming, uncertain, and even frightening. Those feelings are completely normal. During this time, you need more than just legal representation—you need someone who listens, understands your concerns, and helps you make steady, informed decisions during one of the most difficult periods of your life.
At Caesar & Bender, our Chicago family law attorneys are dedicated to helping you protect what matters most. Whether that means securing a fair financial outcome, creating a parenting plan that prioritizes your children, or simply understanding what to expect from the legal process, we stand by your side throughout the journey.
Because we know how personal these matters are, we take the time to understand your goals and what is most important to you. If good-faith negotiation is possible, we will guide you through that process. If litigation becomes necessary, we are fully prepared to go to court and advocate strongly on behalf of you and your family.
You do not have to face this alone. Call (312) 236-1500 for a free consultation. We will discuss your options, answer your questions, and help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and support.
In Illinois, the manner in which a couple approaches divorce—whether uncontested or contested—has a significant impact on the duration of the case, overall costs, and the extent of court involvement required. Although both options ultimately dissolve a marriage under Illinois’ no-fault divorce framework based on irreconcilable differences, they differ substantially in how decisions are made and how the case proceeds through the court system.
Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce occurs when both spouses are able to reach full agreement on all major issues involved in ending the marriage. These issues commonly include the division of marital assets and debts, parenting time and parental responsibilities, child support, and spousal maintenance, if applicable. When agreement is reached, the spouses submit a comprehensive Marital Settlement Agreement to the court that clearly outlines the terms they have negotiated.
The agreement must be complete, fair, and compliant with Illinois law in order to be approved. Once it is properly filed, the divorce typically follows a relatively straightforward and efficient process, with many cases concluding in a final judgment within approximately 60 days, depending on the court’s schedule and workload.
Illinois also offers a more streamlined option known as a “joint simplified dissolution of marriage.” This process is available to couples who meet specific eligibility requirements, such as having no minor children, limited marital property, waived spousal maintenance, and a written agreement resolving all outstanding matters. This option significantly reduces paperwork, court appearances, and procedural complexity. Our team assists clients in preparing clear, legally sound settlement agreements that comply with the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, allowing them to finalize their divorce with minimal court involvement whenever possible.
Contested Divorce
A contested divorce arises when spouses are unable to reach agreement on one or more material issues, making court intervention necessary. Common points of dispute include parental responsibilities and parenting time, child support calculations, division of marital assets and liabilities, and spousal maintenance.
The contested divorce process is more formal and typically much longer. It often involves multiple stages, including initial filings and responsive pleadings, requests for temporary orders, discovery and exchange of financial information, pretrial conferences, and, in some cases, a full trial. When disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation or pretrial proceedings, the judge will make final determinations on the unresolved issues. Because of these procedural demands, contested divorces frequently take a year or more to resolve and generally involve higher legal costs due to increased court appearances, preparation, and advocacy.
We approach contested divorce cases with thorough preparation, including detailed financial review, strategic witness preparation, and timely, well-supported court filings. Whether a case ultimately proceeds to trial or is resolved during pretrial negotiations, we focus on efficient, effective advocacy while working to protect our client’s rights, interests, and long-term stability.
Child Custody Attorneys: Allocation of Parenting Responsibilities and Parenting Time in Chicago
The end of a marriage is never easy, and the process can feel even more overwhelming when children are involved. When parents decide to divorce or legally separate, determining how parenting responsibilities and time with a child will be shared—what was once referred to as “child custody”—is often the most emotionally charged and complex issue they face. This legal process determines how parental responsibilities will be divided between both parents and establishes a clear parenting time schedule. The family law attorneys at Caesar & Bender, LLP understand how difficult this transition can be and are prepared to guide you every step of the way.
Since 2016, Illinois law has moved away from using the term “child custody.” Instead, courts now focus on the “allocation of parental responsibilities” and parenting time. This change was designed to promote cooperation and shared involvement between parents whenever possible. As a result, the traditional terms “sole custody” and “joint custody” are no longer used. While the terminology has changed, the guiding principle has not—the court’s primary concern in every case remains the best interests of the child.
Under current Illinois law, one parent or both parents may be granted decision-making authority in four key areas of a child’s life: healthcare, education, religion, and extracurricular activities. In addition, a parenting time schedule is created. Depending on the circumstances, parents may share parenting time equally, or one parent may have the majority of parenting time while the other is allotted specific, scheduled periods. Every arrangement is unique and tailored to what best supports the child’s well-being.
Developing Your Parenting Plan
Parents are encouraged to outline decision-making authority and parenting time through a document known as a “parenting plan.” This plan clearly defines each parent’s responsibilities and establishes the parenting time schedule. Illinois law requires that a parenting plan be filed within 18 months of service of the initial petition, whether for dissolution of marriage or for the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time.
Ideally, parents are able to work together and submit a single, agreed-upon parenting plan to the court. If an agreement cannot be reached—even after mediation—the judge will hold a hearing and make binding decisions on any unresolved issues. Our attorneys can help you navigate this process and work toward an agreement that reflects your child’s best interests and your family’s unique needs.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you are contemplating divorce or legal separation and have children, we strongly encourage you to speak with an experienced family law attorney. Michael Ian Bender, Molly Caesar, and the attorneys at Caesar & Bender, LLP understand how deeply these matters affect your child’s present and future. We are committed to helping you pursue the best possible outcome for you and your children. Contact our Chicago office at (312) 236-1500 or email us today to schedule your free consultation.
Illinois Child Support Attorneys: A Guide to Illinois Child Support Laws
Establishing appropriate child support arrangements can be a complex and emotionally challenging process, particularly when parents are unable to reach an agreement on their own. When a child’s financial security and overall well-being are involved, it is critical to work with a knowledgeable and experienced family law attorney who can help protect your interests and your child’s future.
At Caesar & Bender, LLP, our legal team brings decades of combined experience to every case and is highly regarded within the Chicago family law community. Whether you are responsible for paying child support or entitled to receive it, we are committed to safeguarding your rights throughout the divorce or separation process and beyond. Above all, our priority is ensuring that your child is supported in a manner that promotes stability, security, and their best interests.
What Is Child Support?
Child support refers to ongoing financial payments made by one parent to the other for the purpose of supporting their child or children after the parental relationship has ended. In cases of divorce or separation, Illinois law recognizes a child’s legal right to receive financial support from both parents. These payments are intended to help cover essential living expenses and ensure that the child’s quality of life and overall well-being are maintained.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Illinois child support laws underwent major changes in 2017. Under the prior system, child support calculations were based solely on the noncustodial parent’s net income and the number of children involved. Today, Illinois uses the “income shares” model to determine child support obligations.
Under this approach, guideline child support is calculated by considering the net income of both parents, the total number of children requiring support, and the amount of parenting time—measured in overnights—allocated to each parent. While the guidelines provide a standard calculation, courts may deviate from them in certain situations when justified by the circumstances. To fully understand how these rules apply to your case, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with the attorneys at Caesar & Bender, LLP.
Can Child Support Be Modified in Illinois?
Child support orders and agreements are not necessarily permanent and may be modified when there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the existing order was entered. A qualifying change may include a significant shift in a parent’s financial situation, such as an increase or decrease in income, involuntary job loss, or changes in a child’s medical, educational, or general needs.
However, it is important to note that the enactment of the Illinois child support law in 2017, by itself, does not qualify as a substantial change in circumstances and cannot be used as the sole basis for modifying an existing child support order.
Contact Us for Trusted Legal Guidance
Navigating child support matters can be overwhelming without experienced legal guidance. The skilled family law attorneys at Caesar & Bender, LLP are here to help you understand your rights and options every step of the way. If you have questions or concerns about child support, contact Caesar & Bender, LLP today by calling (312) 236-1500 or by completing our online contact form.
Divorce becomes significantly more challenging when substantial assets are at stake. The combination of complicated financial issues and the emotional strain of ending a marriage can make these cases especially difficult to navigate. If your divorce involves complex financial considerations—such as high-value assets, intricate income structures, or child custody matters—it is essential to work with a knowledgeable attorney who can protect your interests and pursue the most favorable outcome.
The attorneys at Caesar & Bender, LLP possess extensive experience handling complex financial issues in divorce and family law matters. They have successfully guided and resolved hundreds of divorce and family law cases throughout Chicago, providing clients with trusted legal counsel during some of life’s most difficult transitions.
Division of Marital Property in Illinois
Under Illinois law, property acquired during the marriage is generally classified as marital property and, upon divorce, is subject to “equitable” distribution between the spouses. Rather than requiring an equal split, equitable distribution focuses on what is fair and reasonable based on the unique facts of each case. There is no fixed formula for determining what is equitable, which means every divorce must be evaluated individually.
When a divorce involves high-value or uncommon assets, determining an equitable distribution can become far more complex. These cases often require careful analysis and strategic planning. Common complex financial matters may include:
Significant assets, such as large marital estates or valuable personal property
Retirement and pension assets
Professional practices and family-owned businesses
Stock options and investment portfolios
Executive compensation packages
Tax consequences and financial liabilities
Because these financial challenges frequently arise alongside highly sensitive issues—such as child custody, parenting time, and parental rights—it is especially important to retain a divorce attorney with a strong understanding of complex financial matters.
The Importance of Financial Investigation
At Caesar & Bender, LLP, we recognize that thorough financial investigation is critical to achieving a fair result. Our attorneys understand the importance of identifying, uncovering, and accurately valuing all marital assets. We are highly experienced in addressing complex financial issues, including the analysis and division of substantial estates. Above all, we are committed to safeguarding your rights and interests while guiding you through the steps necessary to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Consult an Experienced Attorney
If you are considering divorce or legal separation and have concerns about your financial future, we encourage you to contact us today. Call our Chicago office at (312) 236-1500 or email us to schedule a free initial consultation.
Caesar and Bender, LLP
150 N Michigan Ave #2130, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
(312) 236-1500