Divorce Options in the State of Illinois

Getting divorced is never easy. Divorce is a process to legally end a marriage. A final judgment of divorce decides the issues of dividing property, maintenance (financial support for a spouse), legal custody/placement of children, child support and other related topics. Illinois law regarding divorce is outlined in the Illinois

Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act

There are a number of procedural models, or methods, that may be used to resolve these issues. The difference lies in the amount of attorney and court involvement, conflict, and cost. Each issue — for example, maintenance — may be resolved either by reaching an agreement that must be approved by the court or by having a contested hearing after which a judge makes a decision.

The models include:
• Traditional negotiation/litigation
• Collaborative law divorce
• Mediation
• Uncontested divorce
• Pro se divorce