In 1867, many people viewed Chicago as one of the divorce capitals of the world. Statistics indicate that that year 4,120 marriages and 209 divorces took place. It was a good year for a divorce lawyer. While Chicago no longer has the highest divorce rates, it does have its fair share of divorces. In 2011, the city had 30,327 marriages and 10,519 divorces.
Types of Divorces
In Illinois, two categories of divorce exist. Divorce is either contested or uncontested. The former type may prove to be more expensive than the latter. It also general takes longer. In contested divorces, a divorce lawyer can guide you through the process. This may include the need for mediation and arbitration to reach a mutually agreed upon settlement. If this does not work, you will need your lawyer to take the matter to court. Here, a judge will decide the matter.
Divorce Laws in Illinois
If it looks like a divorce is in your future, it is important to understand the laws regarding this matter. A divorce lawyer is probably the simplest means of addressing the situation. He or she understands the legalities. A lawyer who specializes in this field can help you by explaining the process. He or she can also inform you about what you have to do to comply under what the officials call a dissolution (The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act: 750 ILCS 5/401 et. Seq.).
If you choose to divorce in Chicago, IL, you need to keep the following in mind.
- You must be a resident of the state for at least 3 months before you can file
- The document you or your divorce lawyer must file is the “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.”
- The filing must be with the circuit court clerk in the county where you have had residency for the specified amount of time e.g. Clark County
- You will have to pay the state a filing fee
- Following the filing, the process server (private or local Sheriff) will serve the spouse
- Alternatively, if the spouse is agreeable to the petition, he or she can, on her own or through a divorce lawyer, voluntarily defer to himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the Court.
In general, the Petition provides complete details on the variety of issues that need addressing. Chief among them are child custody, child support, alimony and property distribution. A divorce lawyer is there to explain and guide you through the entire process from pre-filing to a Chicago court appearance if necessary.
Contact a Divorce Lawyer
When it seems a divorce is inevitable, it is time to consider your options. You can go it alone and, if the divorce is contested, end up in a morass with no apparent end in sight. You can also choose to seek legal advice. A Chicago lawyer can guide you through the entire process. A divorce lawyer is the means through which you and your spouse can reach an agreement.
If you need help in the field of family law, contact the firm of Gordon & Perlut, LLC. With more than 20 years of experience in the field, we can provide you with the kind of guidance and knowledge that will make the matter flow more smoothly. As a child support and Chicago Divorce Lawyer, we are there when you need us. To discover more about our firm and the professional services we offer contact us online at Familylawadvocate.com. We will aggressively fight for your rights!
