How Long Does Divorce Take In Chicago
Unfortunately, there is not a clear and concise answer. Divorce can be over and done in a week, or it can go on for many years. It all depends on the situation at hand, because every case is different. What we can tell you is that there are numerous factors that will impact the time your divorce will take.
The following factors can affect how long divorce takes:
- Child custody issues
- An unreasonable lawyer or other involved party
- Complex finances
The above reasons are just a few of the factors in determining how long divorce takes. Every case is different. At the end of the day, if a couple approaches the divorce process with logic and the ability to look at the big picture their case will typically take a reasonable amount of time, leaving both parties satisfied at the end.
Chicago Divorce Attorneys At Petrelli Previtera
Whether you have an amicable divorce or one that requires litigation, our Chicago divorce attorneys can help you take the next step to a better future. Petrelli Previtera will be with you every step of the way, making sure the process is as easy and stress-free as possible while protecting your financial rights.
When youre ready to discuss your legal options, we can help you get started. For an initial consultation with an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer, please call 252-2085.
Douglas S Ehrman Douglas S Ehrman
A highly skilled divorce attorney, Douglas S. Ehrman offers tailored representation to clients in Chicago and the surrounding communities in all aspects of divorce and family law, including contested and uncontested divorce, annulments, spousal support, child support, child custody and visitation, modifications of maintenance, distribution of marital property, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, enforcement and modification proceedings, same-sex marriage and divorce, and contempt of court proceedings. As an active member of the Illinois legal community, Ehrman serves with the Cook County Bar Association, the Will County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.
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What Is The Difference Between An Annulment And Divorce
While divorce may be permanent, it does not dispute the fact that a marriage was legally enacted and in existence in the first place.
An annulment, however, is very similar to a divorce as it may involve a dividing of assets, custody and visitation negotiations, and so on but an annulment means that the marriage was established on false pretenses. If a man discovers, for example, that his wife has been lying about an extensive criminal past , or that she was never formally divorced from a former spouse, he may file for an annulment rather than a divorce.
If an annulment is successful, it is from a legal perspective as if the marriage did not ever truly exist. Annulments can also be sought for religious reasons, particularly given the gravity of divorce in the understanding of certain faiths.
Do I Need A Lawyer For Divorce In Chicago

It is possible to represent yourself however, divorce is not a simple legal process. Having a divorce lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. It is in your best interests to hire an aggressive divorce attorney in Chicago due to the complex nature of divorces in general.
This is especially true if your spouse hires a divorce lawyer, because the success rate of pro se litigants against an attorney is very low. The average divorce requires the drafting of numerous legal documents which, if not completed properly, can be devastating to the litigant.
Once they find an attorney you are comfortable with, many litigants feel like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders, since they have an experienced professional to advocate on their behalf.
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What Are Grounds For Filing For Divorce In Illinois
Illinois is a no-fault State, meaning that there are no fault-based grounds for divorce such as adultery, mental cruelty, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, abandonment, and the like. In Illinois, if one spouse wants a divorce, they will get their divorce based on irreconcilable differences. The only requirement is that the parties must live separate and apart for a continuous period of not less than six months immediately preceding the entry of judgment dissolving the marriage. This meets the irreconcilable differences requirement as grounds for the dissolution of marriage. Living separate and apart does not mean the parties must live in separate houses. As an example, spouses using separate bedrooms with no meaningful communication but sharing fundamental financial obligations are considered to be living separate and apart under the statute.
What Is The Difference Between Alimony And Spousal Support
Alimony and spousal support are interchangeable terms that refer to monthly payments from one ex-spouse to another following a divorce. These payments can be court-ordered or arranged by the parties involved and are intended to account for the adverse economic effect a divorce can have on one party. All spousal support agreements and amounts are unique, depending on the spouses’ individual incomes and property, their earning capacity, the duration of the marriage and whether children and child support are involved, among other factors.
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Contact The Best Local Divorce Attorney In Chicago For Assistance
When you are thinking about divorce in Chicago or you have already begun the process of planning for your divorce case, you deserve to have one of the best local divorce attorneys on your side. The dedicated Chicago divorce lawyers at Arami Law, Inc. can discuss your case with you today and can begin tailoring a plan for your divorce based on your specific needs. Contact Arami Law, Inc. to seek advice about your divorce case.
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What Happens After You File For Divorce
After the petition and response, both partners may retain their own attorney to represent them through divorce proceedings. Much of the time, once a case gets going and both parties are actively participating, the discovery process will begin. Discovery is generally described as the process of exchanging information relevant to the divorce proceedings, such as income and expense affidavits, alo documentation supporting those financial affidavits.
It is also important to note that child custody, visitation, child support and alimony can also be negotiated at this phase. If the parties cannot resolve their differences through negotiations with their divorce attorneys , they may next attempt to continue negotiations with the assistance of the court. If resolution cannot be reached through negotiations, the case would be set for trial and the relevant final decisions would be made by a judge.
Our Chicago divorce attorneys are also experienced in:
Need to talk to someone who understands what needs to be done to get a divorce in Chicago? Contact our divorce lawyers by calling or by filling out our simple contact formtoday!
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How Much Does It Cost To Hire An Attorney
In general, how much an attorney costs will often depend on these four factors: billing method and pricing structure, type of legal work performed, law firm prestige, and attorney experience. Depending on the legal issue you are facing, an attorney may bill you by the hour, settle on a flat fee, or enter into a contingency fee agreement. The type of legal work you need help with will also play a role in cost incurred.
Michael C Craven Harrison & Held Llp
Attorney Michael C. Craven is a partner with Harrison & Held, LLP, a highly regarded law firm with offices in both Chicago and Springfield, Illinois, as well as Naples, Florida, and Boulder, Colorado. Over his 30 years in practice, Craven has handled hundreds of cases, securing favorable outcomes for his clients in matters such as property and assets division, child custody, support and visitation, spousal support, and similar. He also provides guidance on estate planning matters both throughout and after the divorce process.
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Where Can I File For Divorce In The Chicago Area
Residents outside the city may file at the nearest suburban courthouse.
District # 2: Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077District # 3: Rolling Meadows Courthouse, 2121 Euclid Avenue, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008District # 4: Maywood Courthouse, 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, IL 60153District # 5: Bridgeview Courthouse, 10220 S. 76th Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455District # 6: Markham Courthouse, 16501 S. Kedzie Parkway, Markham, IL 60428
Whos The Best Option To Handle Your Chicago Divorce

So there you have it 5 of the best divorce law firms in Chicago. If you are facing a divorce that involves significant assets such as real estate, businesses, etc., or in which you and your partner are entirely unable to cooperate with one another, these 5 law firms are well suited to represent you.
However, if youre like most of our clients and you have a relatively straightforward divorce, and your priority is to get it done as quickly and painlessly as possible, we can help you.
Contact Vantage Group Legal today for a free divorce consultation.
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Fred A Joshua Fred A Joshua Pc
As a dedicated family lawyer with almost 20 years of experience, Fred A. Joshua offers top-notch legal representation to residents of Chicago and the surrounding areas. A skilled mediator and litigator with an exemplary background in securing favorable outcomes through the use of tactical trial strategies, he offers representation in a wide variety of divorce and family law matters, including contested and uncontested divorce, alimony, and child custody.
Henry D Kass Mkfm Law Llc
Henry D. Kass is a partner of the highly respected law family MKFM Law, LLC. Since obtaining his license to practice law, Kass has focused primarily on family law, guardianship, and domestic relations. He has extensive experience of trying cases before both a jury and the bench, along with exceptional skills as a negotiator and mediator. In addition to having served two terms as an Assembly Member to the Illinois State Bar Association, Kass is also a member of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, the Illinois Bar Foundation, and the DuPage County Judicial Committee. He offers representation to clients in Chicago, along with residents of the wider counties of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, and Will.
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Grounds For Divorce Under Illinois Law
Under the Illinois Statutes, , divorce is referred to as the dissolution of marriage. Previously, couples could seek a divorce on the basis of fault grounds, such as adultery, domestic violence, or due to alcohol abuse and other addictions on the part of their spouse. Effective in 2016, the Illinois legislature eliminated these factors in favor of granting divorces to couples on the basis of irreconcilable differences.
This means that for whatever reason, the marriage is irretrievably broken and any future efforts at reconciliation would be futile. This is assumed to be the case if the couple has lived separately and apart for at least six months prior to filing the divorce. Commonly referred to in other areas as a no fault divorce, it can allow couples to complete the process and move on with their lives more quickly, provided there are no other disputes involved.
Eydie R Vanderbosch Law Office Of Eydie R Vanderbosch Esq
Regardless of the challenges of the case, Eydie R. Vanderbosch offers tailored, experienced support designed to produce the most favorable outcome possible. A compassionate, dedicated lawyer with over 2 decades of legal experience, Vanderbosch offers exceptional representation to clients in Chicago in all aspects of family law, including contested and uncontested divorce, same-sex divorce, military divorce, equitable distribution, property distribution and settlements, child custody and support, alimony, pre-and postnuptial agreements and post-divorce modifications.
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Paul Chatzky Law Offices Of Paul Chatzky
Paul Chatzky is a top-rated divorce lawyer in Chicago offering specialized counseling and legal guidance in matters involving paternity, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, division of assets, post-decree modification, and enforcement disputes. Through the Law Offices of Paul Chatzky, he serves clients throughout Lake and Cook counties, including those in Chicago, Northfield, Rolling Meadows, Northbrook, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Prospect Heights, Mount Prospect, Winnetka, Wheeling, Skokie, Palatine, Schaumburg, Tinley Park, Des Plaines, Deerfield, Glencoe, Techny, Park Ridge, Glenview, Elk Grove Village, Long Grove, Highland Park, Golf and Vernon Hills, Illinois. In recognition of his high professional standing, Chatzky, who offers bilingual counseling in both English and Spanish, has been awarded the highest rating possible of AV Preeminent from Martindale-Hubbell.
Best Chicago Divorce Attorneys
When you need a divorce attorney look no further than the MLG Law Group, they are the top Chicago divorce lawyers and they are ready to help you with your situation. They have years of training and experience so you can be confident in knowing that you have the best law group in Chicago to help you.
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Chicago Family Lawyers Helping You Toward A Brighter Tomorrow
Family law matters are undeniably stressful, emotional, and overwhelming. There are a lot of decisions to make along the way decisions that could impact you, your partner, and your children for years to come. If your family is facing a contentious dispute, a complex Chicago divorce, or any other type of family law matter, rest assured that a family lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C. can help you through this difficult time.
As one of the premier family law firms in Illinois, we proudly serve families throughout the Chicagoland area. Our knowledgeable family law attorneys will take the time to fully understand your situation before devising a legal strategy centered on achieving your goals. Every step of the way, our legal team will be there to advise you and help you make informed decisions with your familys needs in mind.
Bellas & Wachowski Attorneys At Law

Bellas & Wachowski is a law office that has years of experience with representing divorce clients. It was founded in 1990, and it deals with cases of uncontested divorce and the division of assets. It is a bilingual law office, as they represent clients both in English and Polish language. You can find them at 120 N La Salle St Fl 32NND, Chicago, IL 60602.
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How To File For Divorce In Illinois
There are four basic steps you must follow to start the process of filing for divorce in IL:
Filing for a divorce in chicago, illinois
RICHARD J. DALEY CENTER: 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, Domestic Relations Division 603-6300
The Daley Center is the most likely place where you will file for divorce in central Chicago, but you may also file for divorce at any suburban municipal district courthouse if it is closer to your home address.
Sullivan Taylor Gumina & Palmer Pc Stg Divorce Law
Firm Website | Contact Information |
STG Divorce Law is the first firm on our list that is comprised mostly of women. Two of the three named partners are women, and 9 out of the 10 total divorce attorneys on the team are women.
STG was formed back in 1994. The firm boasts 173 Google reviews and has offices in Naperville, St. Charles, and Park Ridge Illinois, in addition to their main office in downtown Chicago.
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How To Find A Divorce Lawyer
Attorneys aren’t needed for every divorce, but in many cases, legal assistance can be beneficial, if not crucial. With the complex nature of some divorce procedures and emotions running high, it is often a good idea to have a knowledgeable resource for information and a skilled advocate for negotiations and possible court proceedings.
Best Chicago Divorce Lawyer In 2022
If you are thinking about separation or a divorce, you should know that it can be stressful, filled with lots of emotions, sadness, and sometimes even anger. The case can be even worse if there are children involved in the process. Because of that, you want a good lawyer that will resolve all of your problems and make the whole process easier for you.
If you are looking for someone that will make this process as smooth as possible, here is the list of the best lawyers in the Chicago area:
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Best Divorce Lawyer In Chicago
Going through the breakup of a marriage is one of lifes most stressful and life changing experiences. In addition to affecting your relationships with family members and friends, it has the potential to impact your financial security both now and in the years to come. At the Womens Divorce & Family Law Group, we are the first law firm in Chicago to focus exclusively on womens rights in divorce proceedings. Ranked among the best Chicago divorce lawyers by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, we act as a strong legal advocate on your side to protect your rights and interests throughout the entire divorce process.