Divorce Litigation Attorney in Illinois
At Manassa Law P.C., we guide clients through every step of the divorce process, protecting their rights, finances, relationships, and futures. Here is an overview of the general process in Illinois for a litigated divorce.
Lawrence talks about the divorce process in Illinois on a recent podcast:
The Divorce Process In Illinois
Filing a petition for dissolution of marriage. This is a brief document that contains very basic facts about the parties involved and states the grounds for divorce. Grounds for divorce can be irreconcilable differences, adultery, bigamy, physical or mental cruelty, desertion, drug addiction, felony convictions or impotency.
Service of process. After the petition is filed, the respondent will receive a copy of the petition and a summons to appear in court.
Response to the petition. The spouse who was served (the respondent) has 30 days to file a formal, written response. If he or she does not, the court may enter a default judgment and grant the divorce.
Financial investigation, negotiation, and settlement. During this stage of the case, called "discovery," the value of the marital estate will be determined. After the value is ascertained, settlement negotiations may commence. If both parties reach an agreement in regard to child custody, property division, and other issues, a Marital Settlement Agreement is presented to the judge, along with a proposed Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage.
Pretrial conference. If the parties cannot agree, their lawyers may submit the controversial issues to the judge and receive the judge's recommendations.
Trial. If a pretrial conference and negotiation are not successful, the case will go to trial. This is often a lengthy and expensive last resort for obtaining a divorce.
Contact Manassa Law P.C.
Learn More About Filing For Divorce To schedule a free initial consultation with Manassa Law P.C., call our North Barrington office at 847-221-5511, or contact us online.
We have the experience and ability to successfully manage the most complex divorce litigation cases and look forward to helping you arrive at a result that protects your rights and meets the needs of your children.
Contact us today for a free consultation.