The Beginning Process of a Divorce Case

Where Should I File my Case?

Your divorce case should be filed in the county where either you or your spouse lives. There is case law which prohibits a lawyer from filing in a county where neither party resides simply for convenience. This is the law even if you and your spouse do not object to filing in a county where neither of you live. The court has the authority to enter a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage (a divorce decree) so long as the residency requirement has been satisfied. In order to satisfy the residency requirement, one spouse has to be a resident of Illinois for either 90 days prior to filing for divorce or must be a resident at the time of entry of the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage. In some situations, more than one county may be a legitimate venue in which to file a divorce. In such a situation, the court will use a balancing test to determine which county is the appropriate venue.

Grounds for Divorce in Illinois

There are several grounds for divorce in Illinois. One of the following must be proved up: that your spouse was naturally impotent at the time of the marriage and continues to be so at the time of the divorce; your spouse had a husband or wife at the time of your marriage; your spouse committed adultery after the marriage; your spouse deserted you for one year; your spouse has been habitually drunk for two years; your spouse has been abusing drugs for two years; has attempted murder; has been guilty of extreme and repeated acts of mental cruelty; has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime; has infected you with a sexually transmitted disease; or if you have been living separate and apart for two years and irreconcilable differences have caused the irretrievable breakdown of your marriage and there is no chance at reconciliation. If you and your spouse have been living separate and apart for at least six months, then the two year separation requirement can be waived by you and your spouse. While all of these grounds are acceptable, the majority of cases are ultimately resolved with the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is what gets the ball rolling in your case. This is the first document filed with the Clerk of Court. The Petition must be verified by you and must contain at least the following: the ages, occupations and residence of you and your spouse; the date of your marriage and where it was registered; whether or not there is any other petition for divorce pending in any other county or state; the grounds for the divorce; and the names and ages of your kids, if any.

Do You Need a Divorce?

If you believe that your marriage is over and there is no chance at making it work, then it is very important that you work with a seasoned lawyer. At Taradash Given, P.C., we have the experience and knowledge necessary to handle all aspects of your case. Call us at (312) 775-1020 or click here to schedule your free, no hassle consultation.

Not Happy With Your Attorney?

It happens every day. Clients going through a divorce, or any family law matter, change lawyers during their case. It’s simply a fact of life. Sometimes the lawyer just doesn’t get the intricacies of divorce court or, perhaps, the client and the lawyer just don’t get along.

Frequently Asked Questions

When going through a divorce, most people don’t know what to expect. From the length of the divorce to the cost and everything in between, there are many unknowns. Relax. This is why it is important to have a seasoned Chicago divorce lawyer representing you.

Client Reviews

Excellent lawyer and a good human being - He was fast, he was empathetic, he was sure about what he was doing, got me my divorce very quickly while I was stuck with another lawyer for 6 months. Very courteous and doesn't try to bluff you.

Sid

Dean helped me through one of the worst times of my life. I married my best friend and we had three kids together. After things began to turn for the worst she sought a divorce and began threatening to withhold my children from me. She then kicked me out of our home. This became a nasty divorce and...

Peter

In addition to knowing his stuff, Dean was very supportive during a process that was emotionally difficult. He listened and helped me every step of the way in the divorce process. Dean was very responsive and everything was handled very professionally. Highly recommend.

Angi M.

By far this is the best experience I’ve had! They were considerate of my feelings and misfortune due to my injuries! They always got back to me on the progress of my claim! I would recommend them highly if your looking for a good legal team! Thank you Steve for all your hard work and what you did...

Kimberly W.

I want to express my appreciation for the exceptional work done by Morgan at Taradash Given P.C. She worked day and night negotiating with my former spouse and was a true advocate. Her commitment and dedication to my case did not go unnoticed and I am very grateful for her efforts. Additionally...

Ashley M.

Contact Us

  1. 1 Free Consultation
  2. 2 20 Years of Experience
  3. 3 100% Commited to Clients
Fill out the contact form or call us at (312) 775-1020 to schedule your free consultation.

Leave Us a Message