In Re Marriage of Justema

Respondent, Elmer J. Justema, Jr., appeals from a judgment entered in favor of Attorney Alexander J. Burek for $10,000 awarded as temporary attorney’s fees for representation of petitioner, Corrine Justema. The question presented by this appeal is whether the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act authorizes the court to order payment of temporary attorney’s fees to a party for services which have not yet been rendered. We conclude it does not and reverse the judgment of the circuit court.

Corrine Justema filed a petition for dissolution of her marriage to Elmer J. Justema, Jr., in…