As August comes to a close, we feel the shift from carefree summer days to preparation and planning. For many families, this means gearing up for the school year. For co-parents, August is an important time to revisit agreements and expectations. It is also the perfect moment to start thinking ahead to the holiday season, especially if shared parenting time is part of your planning. Here’s what we’re focusing on this month:

Back-to-School Readiness for Co-Parents

The start of a new school year can bring excitement and stress for both parents and children. For co-parents, now is the time to revisit custody schedules, transportation logistics, extracurricular responsibilities, and communication plans. A clearly defined parenting plan can ease the transition and prevent misunderstandings. If your current agreement isn’t working as smoothly as you'd like or school schedules are changing, we can help you adjust it for everyone’s benefit.

Holiday Planning Starts Now

The holidays may seem far off, but for families navigating custody and visitation, August is a strategic time to start those conversations. Many agreements include specific holiday schedules, but if they don’t, or if conflicts have emerged in the past, addressing them early can make the season less stressful for everyone. Let’s get ahead of the chaos and make a plan that brings clarity and calm to your celebrations.

OLL Cares: Downtown Evanston

This month, we’re proud to spotlight  Downtown Evanston, an organization that brings our community to life through arts, culture, and small business initiatives. This year, O. Long Law sponsored the Thursday Night Market which is a vibrant summer series that showcases local talent and fosters connection in the heart of Evanston. To see what’s happening downtown, visit downtownevanston.org.

We’re Moving!
Please note that effective September 1, 2025, O. Long Law, LLC will be located at:
909 Davis Street, Suite 500 in Evanston. We look forward to continuing to serve you from our new home!

As always, if you're navigating change or planning ahead, we're here to support you with clarity, care, and trusted legal insight.

Warm regards,

The O. Long Law Team

Big congratulations to M.K. Clayton on their appointment to the Chicago Bar Association Adoption Law Committee! We’re incredibly proud to see M.K. recognized for their legal insight, compassionate advocacy, and deep commitment to family law. Their dedication to supporting families and safeguarding the best interests of children makes them a powerful and invaluable voice in the field of adoption law.

On July 31, Olivia joined fellow Lady Lawyers Who Lunch members at the Decalogue Society of Lawyers Annual Awards Dinner.

The event celebrated advocacy, service, and equity in the legal field; values we’re proud to support through community and connection.

Unused parenting time doesn’t erase support obligations. If a parent frequently misses their scheduled time with the child, that doesn’t automatically change child support obligations. A formal modification through the court is the only way to adjust legal responsibilities.

Myth: A parent can move out of state with the kids if they have sole custody.

Fact: Even with sole decision-making, a parent cannot relocate outside Illinois or beyond certain distances without providing notice and, in some cases, getting court approval.