Resource Sessions: Legal and Resource Podcasts by Sterk Family Law Group, P.C.

We recently discussed Illinois’ new coerced debt laws in our blog, including what qualifies as coerced debt, how survivors may dispute it, what changes beginning January 1, 2027, and how these issues can intersect with divorce.

In this episode of Resource Sessions, Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk speaks with consumer protection attorney James “Jim” Smith, Co-Founder of Fair Credit Attorneys, about what coerced debt is, how it differs from traditional identity theft, and what the new law may mean for survivors of domestic violence and individuals navigating divorce.

They discuss the documentation you may need to establish coerced debt, how collection agencies must respond to a qualifying claim, the potential impact on credit reporting, and why preserving emails, letters, financial records, court documents, police reports, and other evidence may matter.

The conversation also explores an important family law question: what happens when coerced debt surfaces during or after a divorce? Gwen and Jim discuss why family law and consumer credit attorneys may need to work together to address divorce orders, debt allocation, credit reporting, and post-divorce relief as clearly as possible.

The episode also covers where someone can start if they believe they may be dealing with coerced debt, including prioritizing personal safety, reviewing credit reports, considering a credit freeze, preserving evidence, and speaking with the appropriate legal professionals.

To learn more or to connect with Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. or Gwendolyn Sterk, call 815 -600-8950 or visit https://www.sterkfamilylaw.com/https://www.sterkfamilylaw.com/

To connect with Attorney Jim Smith, visit: https://faircreditattorneys.com/about/james-smith/

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Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, and DuPage counties.  The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only serve a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center.  The Resource Center gives Sterk Family Law clients access to other professionals to help them prepare for the next step in their lives. 

************** This is a legal advertisement from Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. It does not constitute legal or medical advice and should not be construed as such. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only.

Our latest Non-Profit Hero is Veterans Voices Military Group in Orland Park. Thank you to Dale Carver for joining us to share how this organization, founded in 2014, provides veterans with a welcoming alternative to traditional membership organizations. Now a standalone 501(c)(3), the group keeps veterans at the forefront of the community through color guards, Honor Flag ceremonies, caregiver support, visits with homebound veterans, troop donation drives, and support for organizations such as Honor Flight Chicago and Paws for Wounded Warriors. Veterans Voices welcomes both veterans and patriots who want to support those who served.

The group meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at the Orland Park Veterans Building, 14671 Southwest Highway, near the log cabins. Meetings are free and include pizza, soft drinks, snacks, information about upcoming events, and plenty of opportunities to get involved. There are no dues or contracts, just connection, service, and respect.

https://www.veterans-voices.org/

Visit Sterk Family Law.

 Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center. The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.************** This is a legal advertisement from Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. It does not constitute legal or medical advice and should not be construed as such. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes

This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

What began as a small school founded by parents in 1950 has grown into one of Illinois' largest nonprofit organizations serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health needs.

In this episode of our Non-Profit Hero series, Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk sits down with Bonnie Hassan and Sherry Ladislas of Trinity Services to discuss the organization's history, the wide range of services it provides, and how programs like The Living Room are offering support to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. From residential and employment services to counseling and behavioral health, learn how Trinity Services continues to empower thousands of individuals and families throughout 37 counties in Illinois.

https://www.trinityservices.org/

Visit Sterk Family Law online: ⁠www.sterkfamilylaw.com⁠

 Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center. The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.************** This is a legal advertisement from Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. It does not constitute legal or medical advice and should not be construed as such. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes

This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Your estate is more than your home, your finances, or your will. These days, it also includes your digital life.

In this episode of our Seasons of Life series, Kelly Garver, estate planning attorney Terry M. Fogarty, and family law attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk discuss why passwords, online accounts, digital assets, email, photos, subscriptions, and cloud storage have become an integral part of planning ahead.

If something happened tomorrow, would someone know where to start? Could they find important accounts? Would they know the difference between having a password and having the legal authority to access an account?

Join us as we discuss simple steps you can take now to protect your digital legacy, reduce stress for your loved ones, and make life a little easier during an already difficult time.

Visit Sterk Family Law Group, P.C.

 Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center. The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.************** This is a legal advertisement from Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. It does not constitute legal or medical advice and should not be construed as such. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes

This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Estate planning is not just for retirement, wealthy families, or some far-off version of your life.

In this episode, Attorneys Gwendolyn J. Sterk and Terry M. Fogarty talk about the decisions families often assume will happen automatically, including who can make healthcare or financial decisions, who would care for children, and what happens when life changes.

They chat about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, guardianship, blended family considerations, and the moments that should prompt you to revisit your plan.

Planning is not about expecting the worst. It is about helping the people in your life understand what matters to you, making decisions easier during challenging times, and giving yourself more confidence that things are in place before they are needed.

Visit Sterk Family Law Group, P.C.

 Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center. The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.************** This is a legal advertisement from Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. It does not constitute legal or medical advice and should not be construed as such. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes

Our latest Non-Profit Hero spotlight features The Maddog Strong Foundation. Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk joins Dr. Cyndi Grobmeier Strong to discuss how their family turned loss into action, and they continue to create a lasting impact through organ donation awareness.

Founded in honor of their daughter Maddie “Maddog” Grobmeier, Maddog Strong was created to inspire the next generation to learn about organ, eye, and tissue donation and encourage families to talk about becoming donors before they ever need to make that decision.

What began from profound loss has grown into something bigger: A mission focused on awareness, education, and giving others the gift of life.

Listen to learn about how legacy, action, and one decision can impact countless lives.

Learn more about Maddog Strong: Maddog Strong

Visit Sterk Family Law.

 Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center. The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.************** This is a legal advertisement from Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. It does not constitute legal or medical advice and should not be construed as such. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes

#NonProfitHero #MaddogStrong #OrganDonation #DonateLife #CommunityImpact #SterkFamilyLawGroup

Planning does not mean expecting the worst.

In the first episode of our Seasons of Life series, Kelly Garver and Gwendolyn J. Sterk of Sterk Family Law Group talk about why so many of us put planning off until life forces the conversation and why preparing ahead is often more about creating options than predicting outcomes.

From estate planning and healthcare decisions to beneficiaries, retirement, guardianship conversations, and the everyday details people forget to think about, this conversation explores why life changes rarely happen in just one area of life.

If planning feels overwhelming, this episode is your reminder that you do not need a giant binder or all the answers.

Sometimes it starts with one conversation.

Visit Sterk Family Law online: www.sterkfamilylaw.com

 Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center. The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.************** This is a legal advertisement from Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. It does not constitute legal or medical advice and should not be construed as such. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes

This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Gwendolyn J. Sterk recently sat down with Dan Miller from K9s for Veterans, our latest Non-Profit HeroDan shared the incredible work this organization does to pair rescue dogs with military veterans living with PTSD. What makes K9s for Veterans so special:Saving Two Lives at Once: K9s for Veterans rescues dogs from kill shelters and trains them as service dogs for veterans. These dogs are given a second chance at life while also providing companionship, support, and stability to the people who served our country.Lifelong Care, No Financial Burden: To ensure these heroes never face an extra financial strain, K9s for Veterans covers the cost of food and basic medical care for the entire life of every single service dog they place.A massive thank you to Dan and K9s for Veterans for the work you are doing to bring hope and healing to so many.Connect with us:Like this feature? Subscribe to our channel for more community features, legal insights, and family support resources.🌐 Learn more about K9s for Veterans: https://www.k9sforveteransnfp.org/🌐 Visit Sterk Family Law online: https://www.sterkfamilylaw.com/Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center. The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.************** This is a legal advertisement from Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. It does not constitute legal or medical advice and should not be construed as such. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes.#K9sForVeterans #SterkFamily Law #PTSDAwareness #ServiceDogs #NonProfitHero #SupportOurVeterans

Our latest Non-Profit Hero feature is Boxes of Hope, a program through Firehouse Chapel in Orland Park, IL, focused on providing weekend food support for local children and families.

Thank you to Alexis Rodriguez and Jason Riha for joining us to share how Boxes of Hope works behind the scenes. Through the help of volunteers, they pack and deliver food boxes to local schools, where they are distributed anonymously to children in need. Each box is put together to cover a full weekend of meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for every child in the household.

While the program primarily supports children facing food insecurity, Boxes of Hope has also stepped in to assist families during times of unexpected need.

Boxes of Hope is an example of how simple acts, done consistently, can make a difference!

To learn more about Boxes of Hope, visit https://www.firehousechapel.org/boxes-of-hope

To learn more or to connect with Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. or Gwendolyn Sterk, call 815-600-8950 or visit https://www.sterkfamilylaw.com/

Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties. The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and overall well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center. The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.

Subpoenas sound scary.

In this episode, Attorney Gwendolyn J. Sterk chats with Becky Sampson from OnlySubpoenas to discuss what a subpoena actually is and why they’re a normal part of the legal process.

Much of the stress surrounding subpoenas stems from a lack of understanding about what they are and their meaning. In reality, they’re just a way to get information like financial records, employment details, or other documents that help everyone understand what’s really going on in a case.

They also discuss what happens if someone ignores a subpoena, the most common misconceptions people have, and the mistakes that can complicate the process unnecessarily.

Becky shares how and why she built her niche around subpoenas and why having someone who understands the process can make things run a lot smoother behind the scenes.

In family law cases, especially, subpoenas are often working in the background to verify information and move things forward.

To connect with Becky Sampson, visit OnlySubponeas

To learn more or to connect with Sterk Family Law Group, P.C. or Gwendolyn Sterk, call 815-600-8950 or visit  ⁠⁠⁠sterkfamilylaw.com⁠⁠⁠

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Sterk Family Law provides a full range of family law and estate planning services in Orland Park for clients in Will, Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties.  The Sterk Family Law Group team provides a holistic approach to the practice of law and strives to not only service a client’s legal needs, but also help manage a client’s emotional and over-all well-being by establishing connections with a vast network of counselors, support groups, and various other non-traditional service providers within local communities by way of the unique Resource Center.  The Resource Center provides Sterk Family Law clients with access to other professionals to help prepare for the next step in their lives.