In Illinois, the divorce process can be complex and overwhelming.
Illinois is a “no-fault” state, which means that you don’t have to prove that your spouse did something wrong to get a divorce. Instead, you only need to prove that irreconcilable differences have led to the breakdown of the marriage.
Illinois also has a residency requirement, which means that either you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least 90 days before you can file for divorce. Once you have met the residency requirement, you can file for divorce in the county where you or your spouse resides.
The divorce process starts with the filing of a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. After filing, you will need to serve your spouse with the Petition, and your spouse will have 30 days to respond.
If your spouse agrees to the divorce and the terms of the divorce, you can file a Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage. This type of divorce is only available for couples who have been married for less than eight years, have no children, and limited assets and debts. If you don’t qualify for a Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, you will need to go through the traditional divorce process, which can involve a lot of negotiation and litigation.
