Divorce Lawyer Near Me

Dissolving a marriage can be a complicated process, as it also requires the dissolution of a number of other legal benefits and/or agreements that go along with marriage. For instance, a court will only finalize a divorce once the parties have grappled with a host of related issues, including how marital assets and debts will be divided and whether one party will be required to pay maintenance to the other. In many cases, couples are able to reach an agreement on these issues in an out-of-court setting. These are known as uncontested divorces and tend to be resolved much more quickly and easily than their counterparts, which are known as contested or litigated divorces. 

Whether you and your spouse are attempting to come to a settlement agreement outside of a courtroom, or are litigating important divorce-related issues in court, you might wonder, “Should I speak with an experienced divorce lawyer near me?” The answer is yes — your lawyer can ensure that your interests are protected throughout the divorce process. Contact SLG Family Law to learn more about the steps we can take to help protect your interests.

Uncontested vs. Contested Divorce

There are two basic types of divorce in Illinois, which are known as contested and uncontested divorce. The former involves situations where couples cannot agree on one or more of the following issues:

• How marital assets and debts should be split up;
• Whether maintenance should be paid to one spouse;
• Who will retain the family home;
• Where the couple’s children should live; and
• How much child support the non-custodial parent must pay.

Uncontested divorces, on the other hand, occur when both spouses agree on all of these issues and are able to reach a settlement agreement outside of court. Although the agreement will still need to be reviewed by a judge, these proceedings still tend to be resolved much more quickly than contested divorces, where couples are required to litigate important divorce-related matters. It is also important to note that a divorce will automatically be considered uncontested if one spouse files for divorce and the other does not submit an answer within 30 days.

Qualifying for Divorce in Illinois

In order to be eligible for divorce in Illinois, at least one of the spouses must have lived in the state for no less than 90 days. Once this has been established, a couple must only be able to prove that irreconcilable differences have led to the irretrievable breakdown of their marriage. If the parties have been residing in different places for at least six months, the court will assume that this burden has been met.

An Experienced Divorce Lawyer Near Me

If you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, you need the advice of an experienced divorce lawyer who can help you get through the process as quickly and easily as possible. Please contact the dedicated divorce attorneys at SLG Family Law to learn more about how we can help with your own divorce. Initial case reviews are offered free of charge, so please do not hesitate to call our office or send us an online message today.