Brian W. Reidy

I have experienced sitting on the client side of the lawyer-client table, which provides me with a unique perspective on the emotions my clients go through. Handling divorce and child custody matters is always challenging for those involved. It's crucial to have a trustworthy lawyer during the toughest period of your life. At Reidy Law Office, we are committed to educating our clients about the relevant laws and how they apply to their particular situations. We then develop a tailored strategy for each client's case. Our mission is to assist individuals during tough times in their lives and to establish a foundation for a better future.

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Illinois

Since 2009

Owner

Reidy Law Office

2014 - Current

Attorney

LeVine, Wittenberg, Shugan & Schatz Ltd.

2012 - 2014

Assistant States Attorney

Cook County State's Attorney

2009 - 2012

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology

J.D.

10 Best Client Satisfaction

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2016

CALI - Trial Advocacy

Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology

2008

Awarded to the top grade in the class

Illinois State Bar

Member

2009 - Current

Helping People to Make Life Changing Decisions, MaxLaw Conference, St. Louis, MO

October 2021

Q. Can my husband claim a house I buy with my own money before divorce in Illinois?

June 24, 2025

A: Yes. Do not buy a house during the marriage unless you understand all of the legal consequences. Based on your message, you may believe that "your" money is yours because it comes from your paycheck and it is placed into your account. This is not accurate. I highly suggest that you speak with a local lawyer that focuses on Illinois Family Law before you make any major decisions.

Q. Why do alimony rulings differ despite similar marriage details in Illinois?

June 17, 2025

A: The short answer is that your fact pattern only reflects half the story. In determining spousal maintenance (alimony), courts consider *both* spouses’ circumstances. Even if two marriages are of similar length and income levels, the outcome can differ based on additional details such as:

* The recipient spouse’s financial need and earning potential

* Property distribution in the divorce (e.g., who received the house, retirement accounts, etc.)

* Whether the parties reached an agreement or the court made the decision

If a spouse is only ordered to pay maintenance for seven years, that could be due to an agreement between the parties or the judge deviated from the statutory guidelines. If the judge deviated, there should be written reasons for the decision. Ultimately, Illinois law gives judges considerable discretion, and each case turns on its specific facts.

If you're trying to understand how these rules apply to your situation—or if you're comparing your outcome to someone else's—it’s important to get personalized legal advice. At my firm, for example, we offer "limited scope" sessions where you can pay a flat fee to have us review your documents and provide tailored answers to your questions. Whether you’re local or prefer an online meeting, help is available.

If you want clarity on your case, I highly recommend connecting with a family law attorney who can guide you through the specifics. ... Read More

Q. Does my children's contribution to my wife's bills affect my maintenance payments during divorce?

June 7, 2025

A: Your expenses do not generally impact maintenance. In other words, the car payments and mortgage payments are generally not considered by a court. If your wife is receiving contribution to expenses, from other people, it may impact the maintenance calculation, but it would not be by too much.

I think that some information is missing here because if your incomes are accurately, stated here, this would not be a maintenance case using the statutory formulas. There are likely other factors that the court has considered. You should consult with an attorney in your area to go over more details. I would suggest that you look for a limited scope representation (pay a fee) where they could review your documents and provide you some legal advice, but not necessarily participate in the ongoing case. ... Read More