Diana Brodman Summers received her JD from DePaul University College of Law in 1993 and passed the Bar Exam in Illinois. She has an undergraduate degree majoring in Business Administration and Computer Science from Roosevelt University. Currently, Ms. Summers maintains a law office concentrating on Employment Law for the employees in Lisle, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

Ms. Summers is an arbitrator for both the Cook and DuPage County mandatory arbitration programs. She is an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association, the DuPage Bar Association of Women Lawyers, and the Illinois State Bar Association. Ms. Summers has written articles and lectured on computerizing small law firms for the Illinois State Bar Association.
Ms. Summers can be reached at www.lawyer4employees.com

Using Self-Help Law Books
Introduction -
Chapter 1: Marriage and Divorce in Illinois -
-Marriage
-Divorce
-Psychological and Social Issues of Divorce
-Counseling
-Financial Aspect of Divorce
Chapter 2: Annulments and Legal Separations -
-Annulment
-Legal Separation
Chapter 3: The Legal System -
-Research
-County Circuit Courts
-Ten Tips for Appearing in Court on a Divorce
Chapter 4: Attorneys -
-Needing an Attorney
-Finding an Attorney
-Attorney Checklist
-Understanding Costs
-What to Bring to Your First Meeting with an Attorney
-Checklist of Documents Needed for the First Meeting
-with an Attorney
-Family Law Attorneys
-Problems with Your Attorney
Chapter 5: Protecting Yourself and Your Children -
-Domestic Violence
-Child Abuse
Chapter 6: Divorce Basics -
-Grounds
-Contested
-Uncontested
-Collaborative Divorce
-Divorce Mediation
-Divorce Arbitration
Chapter 7: The Divorce Process -
-Steps to Getting a Divorce
-Summons
-Petition
-Appearance and Agreement
-Response to Your Petition
-Divorce Trial
-Disclosure Statements
-Simplified Divorce
Chapter 8: Divorce Forms -
-In General-Circuit Courts
-Forms on the Internet
-Court Filing
-Common Forms
-Generic Forms
-Checklists and Worksheets
Chapter 9: Marital Property -
-Marital Property
-Rules of Thumb on Marital Assets
Chapter 10: Maintenance -
-Maintenance, Spousal Support, or Alimony
-Terminating and Changing Maintenance
Chapter 11: Settlement Agreement -
-Marital Settlement Agreements
-How Courts View Marital Settlement Agreements
-Other Agreements that will Affect a Divorce
Chapter 12: Children and Divorce -
-Best Interest of the Child
-Emotions
-Children's Bill of Rights
-Paternity
Chapter 13: Child Custody -
-Custody Agreements
-Factors Influencing Custody
-Expected Custody Changes
-Custody Laws
-Types of Custody
-Indiscretions of the Custodial Parent
-Fathers and Child Custody
-Custody Evaluations
-Child Abduction
-Counseling, Mediation, and Parenting Classes
Chapter 14: Child Visitation -
-The Court's View
-The Child's Wishes
-Joint Parenting Agreements
-Visitation Factors
-Things to Consider when Drafting a Visitation Schedule
-Visitation Schedules
-Changing Schedules
-Common Misconceptions
Chapter 15: Child Support -
-How Child Support is Calculated
-Factors Considered for Initial Support Order
-Medical Insurance for the Children
-Modification of Child Support
-College Expenses
-Support for Non-Minor Children
-Enforcement of Child Support
Chapter 16: Grandparents' Rights After Divorce -
-The Law Affecting Grandparent Visitation
-Visitation
-Custody
-Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Chapter 17: The Military Divorce -
-Selecting an Attorney
-USFSPA
-Survivor Benefit Plan Coverage
Chapter 18: Other Financial Matters to be Considered -
-Insurance
-Taxes
-Estate Planning
-Pensions
-Social Security
Chapter 19: Final Thoughts -
Glossary -
Appendix A: State of Illinois Judicial Circuit Courts -
Appendix B: Illinois Statutes -
Appendix C: Checklists and Worksheets -
Appendix D: Generic Forms -
Appendix E: Sample Agreements -
Index

A divorce can be the most painful and expensive experience of your life. Whether you use a lawyer or not, protect yourself by getting all the information you need about divorce laws and your legal rights. Let File for Divorce in Illinois help you get control over this stressful time of your life.
Learn how to:
- File an Uncontested or Contested Divorce
- Protect Your Assets, Yourself and Your Children
- Save Money when Working with a Lawyer
- Negotiate Child Support and Visitation Agreements
Ready-to-Go forms with Step-by-Step Instructions
Essential documents you need to:
- End the Marriage and Start Fresh
- Resolve Property Disputes
- Calculate Child Support
- Develop a Visitation Schedule
- And much more . . .
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