Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP

Notice: our office hours will be by appointment through July 1st due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We remain available by email to cwb@cwblaw.net and by phone, and that no charge consultations remain available via phone or email. Please reach out if you have any questions.

We have posted a summary on our Case Law page regarding Herbert v. Cunningham (2018 IL App 172135) which discusses the importance of updating beneficiaries on retirement accounts following a divorce. www.coffeewardbower.com/case-law-updates COFFEEWARDBOWER.COM Case Law Updates - Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP - Family Law Advocates

MESSENGER Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP updated their business hours.

Illinois Shelter-in-Place Executive Order and Parenting Time Illinois Governor Pritzker has issued a lengthy Executive Order limiting travel in Illinois in the effort to contain the spread of the current Coronavirus outbreak. The stated intent of this Executive Order is to “ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible…to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible.” The Executive Order may be viewed at https://www2.illinois.gov/Documents/ExecOrders/2020/ExecutiveOrder-2020-10.pdf The Executive Order lists numerous instances in which travel is permitted, which include at paragraphs 5(a) and 14(b) references to travel for the care of children as not being excluded from the travel limitations. The Executive Order limitations on gatherings, use of public places, and social distancing requirements apply to any permitted travel. While travel to exchange children for parenting time is not clearly excluded under the Executive Order, the intent of the Executive Order, as well as common sense, dictate that in cases of persons who are or may be infected, or persons who are caring for or living with persons either who are or may be infected or who are most vulnerable to infection (such as the elderly), modifications to parenting time arrangements should be considered. While it is, of course, hoped that the steps needed to control the pandemic will be of a relatively short duration, any interruption in parenting time schedules can be stressful on the parents and children. Parents should be aware of the impact upon all involved in making any parenting time adjustments and consider implementing extended electronic communications between the children and other parent if the parenting time schedule is modified or interrupted. WWW2.ILLINOIS.GOV www2.illinois.gov

Family Law Services and Social Distancing Recognizing the need to take steps to minimize possible health related issues, many public services, including courthouses, are limiting public events, gatherings, and processes to those that are essential. In most cases, family law civil cases are not categorized as essential and court settings are being postponed. We will notify clients as to the status of their court dates as the courts make those decisions. Information is available at the court websites as well. The attorneys of Coffee Ward & Bower remain available to clients as always. We also remain available for no charge family law consultations, which may by conducted by telephone or office consultation, although we ask persons who are not feeling well or may have been in contact with persons who are ill to request a telephone consultation to alleviate any health related concerns. Should clients, or persons interested in a no charge family law consultation, have questions about our attorneys’ availability during the current public health issues, please email our Firm at cwb@cwblaw.net.

There is a new Child Custody case added to our Case Law Updates page we think our clients may find interesting. Custody of K.N.L (2019 Il App (5th) 190082) - Grandparents sought custody (parental responsibility) of grandchild who had been in the care for several years with the knowledge of the parent. The law on parental responsibilities allows a non-parent to seek custody if several conditions are met, including that the child has been in the “custody” of the non-parent. (Click the link to see more on this decision) http://www.coffeewardbower.com/case-law-updates Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP - Family Law Advocates Coffee Ward and Bower is a Family Law Firm providing the Metro East and Southern Illinois Representation in Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Adoption and other aspects of Family Law. The family law attorneys of Coffee Ward and Bower have over 50 years of combined experience and serve the communities... Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP - Family Law Advocates Coffee Ward and Bower is a Family Law Firm providing the Metro East and Southern Illinois Representation in Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Adoption and other aspects of Family Law. The family law attorneys of Coffee Ward and Bower have over 50 years of combined experience and serve the communities... Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP - Family Law Advocates Coffee Ward and Bower is a Family Law Firm providing the Metro East and Southern Illinois Representation in Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Adoption and other aspects of Family Law. The family law attorneys of Coffee Ward and Bower have over 50 years of combined experience and serve the communities... Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP - Family Law Advocates Coffee Ward and Bower is a Family Law Firm providing the Metro East and Southern Illinois Representation in Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Adoption and other aspects of Family Law. The family law attorneys of Coffee Ward and Bower have over 50 years of combined experience and serve the communities... Coffee Ward & Bower, LLP - Family Law Advocates Coffee Ward and Bower is a Family Law Firm providing the Metro East and Southern Illinois Representation in Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Adoption and other aspects of Family Law. The family law attorneys of Coffee Ward and Bower have over 50 years of combined experience and serve the communities... See more at coffeewardbower.com