Collaborative Divorce Illinois

Every collaborative professional faces it at some point: a case that stops feeling collaborative. What do you do?

CDI's upcoming virtual FCST Training: Calling It Quits - The Ethics of Continuing vs. Terminating Collaborative Cases - walks you through exactly that. Through role-play and real case scenarios, you'll practice the hard conversations before you need to have them.

Presented by Beth M. Karassik and Louise R. Zito, co-founders of Calma Collective.

📅 Thursday, October 22 · 1:00 - 4:10 PM CST · Zoom
✅ Applied for 3 MCLE Hours

Early Bird Available!
REGISTER HERE: https://cdi.wildapricot.org/event-6829223

⭐ CDI Member Spotlight | Anique K. Drouin, Attorney

Anique believes that divorce does not have to destroy the family or the people involved. She sees a better way forward through a process where families can work with a supportive team of professionals to reach their own resolutions.

If you are considering divorce and would like to learn more about the collaborative process, Anique can talk with you about how it may work for you and your family.

👉 View Anique’s full profile: https://collaborativedivorceillinois.org/find-a-professional/entry/215/

Collaborative Divorce isn't for everyone. But it might be for you.

Here's who it works best for:

➡️ Parents who want to protect their children from conflict
➡️ Couples who can still have a conversation - even a hard one
➡️ Anyone who wants to make their own decisions, not have a judge make them
➡️ Families looking for a smarter financial path forward

And here's what it actually gives you:
✅ Legal, financial, and emotional support - all in one process
✅ Control over the pace and the outcome
✅ A focus on everyone's needs
✅ A foundation for a healthier relationship with your ex going forward

Read more about the benefits of Collaborative Divorce: https://collaborativedivorceillinois.org/benefits-of-collaborative-divorce/

There's another way.

Learn more about Collaborative Divorce: https://collaborativedivorceillinois.org/about-collaborative-divorce/

⭐ CDI Member Spotlight | Sandra Petras Bruckner, Attorney

Before founding Bruckner Family Law LLC, Sandi Petras Bruckner served as Deputy Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center in Kane County and prosecuted a wide range of cases, including child support, juvenile delinquency, abuse, neglect, and felony matters.

Sandi also holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois and has experience handling matters involving personal injury, Social Security disability, real estate, and civil and commercial litigation - giving her a broad legal background that she brings to her work with families.

👉 View Sandi’s full profile: https://collaborativedivorceillinois.org/find-a-professional/entry/253/

Join us for our upcoming virtual FCST training:
"Calling It Quits - Or In Whose Best Interest" Presented by Calma Collective

Is there a time to “Call It Quits” in a collaborative case?
When there’s a lack of progress? When there’s an impasse? When the integrity of the collaborative process has deteriorated? Or when shuttle diplomacy has taken over communication?
This training will explore how to recognize when termination should be considered and how to navigate the difficult conversations that come with it.

📅 October 22, 2026
🕐 1:00 - 4:10 PM CST
💻 Virtual via Zoom
3 MCLE Hours

Registration is now open! Register here: https://cdi.wildapricot.org/event-6829223

Are you an Attorney, Mental Health professional, or Financial Specialist looking to add Collaborative Divorce to your practice?
CDI's 2026 Basic Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training is coming this November - and space is limited.

📅 November 12–13, 2026
📍 Lewis University in Oak Brook
111 W 22nd St, Oak Brook, IL
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Over two days, experienced CDI Fellows will guide you through the skills and knowledge needed to become a Collaborative divorce practitioner.

✅ Attorneys: 13 hours of MCLE Credit
✅ Mental Health Professionals: 13 hours of CEU Credits

👉 Learn more here: https://collaborativedivorceillinois.org/basic-training/
👉 Register Here: cdi.wildapricot.org/event-6736102

When you are going through a divorce, you may wonder if there is a way to create solutions that will fit your family instead of simply following a standard set of rules. The Collaborative Divorce process allows you and your spouse to work through your concerns and a divorce agreement that is based on your family, finances and future.

CDI member and family law attorney Anna Krolikowska explains how the Collaborative process gives you and your spouse more room to make decisions that reflect who you are.

📖 Read the full blog: collaborativedivorceillinois.org/why-collaborative-divorce-can-give-you-more-customized-solutions/

Why Collaborative Divorce Can Give You More Customized Solutions - CDI You and your spouse have more flexibility to create divorce terms that fit your family. You have more freedom to create parenting schedules and financial - Collaborative Divorce Illinois

CDI Fellow Member, Join us for our CDI Annual Meeting / Fall Social Event!
This is an event for CDI members and a great opportunity for networking.

📍River Forest Country Club
15W468 Grand Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126
📅 Wednesday, October 14, 2026
🕐 4:30pm - 7:30pm

Please RSVP here: https://cdi.wildapricot.org/event-6800799

We’re grateful to our sponsors for supporting CDI and helping make events like this possible. A special thank you to:
Jennifer Fletchall JD, CPA/ABV, CDFA, AM-Business Valuation
Brandi Ruffalo, MBA, CVA, CBA, MAFF, CDFA, AIFA
STG Divorce Law, P.C.
Anique Drouin
Zouzias & Grady, Inc.
Sharon Genalen
Gayle Peterson-Gillen, MBA, CRPC, CDFA
For being one of our event sponsors!

Event sponsorship opportunities are available through the registration link.

Hope to see you there!

⭐ CDI Member Spotlight | Eva Matela Kogut, Attorney

Eva Matela Kogut helps clients navigate family law matters by educating them on the different approaches available and helping them understand the benefits, risks, and costs of each path. Many of her clients prefer to stay out of court, and Eva believes that collaborative law and mediation can provide alternatives that allow clients to have greater control over the process.

Fluent in Polish, Eva also serves Chicago’s Polish-speaking community in addressing their family law needs. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® since 2018 and has been named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list since 2017.

👉 View Eva’s full profile: https://collaborativedivorceillinois.org/find-a-professional/entry/172/