Filing for Divorce in Illinois

The decision to file for divorce is generally not one that is made lightly. No matter how long a marriage has lasted, there is often a period of time when a couple tries to work out their problems. Some people seek counseling; others may try separating for awhile.

However, many people ultimately determine that their only option is to end the marriage. The process of getting divorced can be overwhelming and frightening, especially because many people have never gone through this situation before. In this post, you can find a brief overview of what you may be able to expect once you make the decision to file for divorce.

Of course there is the paperwork that must be filed for a divorce. A person will need to file the appropriate documentation with the county. There are multiple documents that will need to be included in a divorce petition, which can be found by visiting the Circuit Court of Cook County website, and it is important for all appropriate forms to be submitted. After the paperwork is filed and filing fees are paid, the summons must be served and then a response will be filed.

That part of a divorce is fairly straightforward and methodical. However, there are numerous other steps that must be taken in a divorce that can be less clear and depend heavily on each individual situation.

For example, if children are involved, there will need to be discussions about:

  • Child support
  • Child custody
  • Living arrangements

If no children are involved, spouses will generally still need to address:

  • Property division
  • Spousal maintenance
  • The terms laid out in a potential prenuptial or postnuptial agreement

These aspects of a divorce are often much more complicated and require more effort to resolve than completing paperwork. Trying to work out child custody arrangements or divide up assets can be much more difficult than people realize. With the guidance of an attorney, however, a person could avoid making costly errors that jeopardize a settlement or cause significant delays. It is for these reasons that Illinois residents may be wise to consult an attorney in the event of a divorce.

Attorney Natalie Stec

Natalie M. Stec, born and raised in Illinois, and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her practice has been concentrated in significant pre and post decree marital and family law cases; including custody, visitation, support, and paternity matters. She has important criminal defense experience in both misdemeanor and felony cases. She is a very dedicated and passionate litigator. [ Attorney Bio ]