how to fill out dissolution of marriage papers illinois without a lawyer

by Adelle Harris Sr. 6 min read

A petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed at the county courthouse in the county where you live if you intend to accomplish so without the assistance of a lawyer. The particular documents you’ll need may vary based on whether or not your divorce is contentious or uncontested, and whether or not you have small children in the picture.

To do it yourself without a lawyer, you'll need to file a petition for dissolution of marriage at the county courthouse where you live. The specific paperwork you'll need will change depending on if it's contested or uncontested, and whether or not you have minor children.

Full Answer

How to file a dissolution of a marriage in Illinois?

A petition for dissolution of marriage must be filed at the county courthouse in the county where you live if you intend to accomplish so without the assistance of a lawyer. The particular documents you’ll need may vary based on whether or not your divorce is contentious or uncontested, and whether or not you have small children in the picture.

How do I get a divorce with no children in Illinois?

To do it yourself without a lawyer, you'll need to file a petition for dissolution of marriage at the county courthouse where you live. Do you have to file for separation in Illinois? In Illinois, legal separation (sometimes called separate maintenance) is available to couples who are living separate and apart from each other.

How do I get a certificate of dissolution of marriage?

Apr 10, 2022 · Step 1: Complete the documents required to file a petition for dissolution of marriage or civil union in Cook County. (1) Domestic Relations Cover Sheet. (2) Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Civil Union (See Court Forms section) (3) Summons.

How do I get a certificate of dissolution in Chicago?

In the top left corner of the first page, fill out the following: your name (if you are the person filling out the petition and filing the petition with the court); your address (if not protected); your city, state and zip code; your telephone number; Attorney Bar Number, if represented by a lawyer; then check the box to say whether

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How do I file for divorce in Illinois for free?

Divorce Filing Fees in Illinois If you can't afford to pay the filing fees, you can ask the judge to waive the fees. You can request a fee waiver by filing an Application for Waiver of Court Fees. Illinois Legal Aid Online has an online program to help you prepare a fee waiver.

Do you need a lawyer to get divorce in Illinois?

You don't need to hire a lawyer to get an uncontested divorce in Illinois, and you can represent yourself during the process. You can try to handle everything yourself or use an online service to help with all the forms.

Can you serve your own divorce papers in Illinois?

Designated Server Your attorney may secure the services of a county sheriff to serve divorce papers, or a licensed private investigator, with the exception of Cook county. Another allowable option is using any Illinois citizen over the age of 18 who is court appointed.Jun 13, 2014

How do I dissolve a marriage in Illinois?

Prepare a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, which will be filed with the Circuit Court Clerk's Office....DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE/DIVORCEYou and your spouse BOTH agree to get a divorce.You and your spouse BOTH fill out the paperwork together.You and your spouse BOTH attend court.More items...

Can you get divorced without going to court?

It is possible to get divorced without going to court, as long as your partner agrees to the divorce and the reasons why. However, it is still possible that you will need to go to court to decide what happens to money, property and children.Apr 26, 2018

What is the fastest way to get a divorce in Illinois?

The fastest way to get a divorce in Illinois is to get an uncontested divorce. This requires that you and your spouse agree on all issues. If you can get your spouse to sign an Entry of Appearance, Waiver and Consent form (Form-540-Entry-of-Appearance-Waiver-and-Consent.

Who serves divorce papers in Illinois?

Illinois County Sheriff's DepartmentUnder most circumstances, the appropriate Illinois County Sheriff's Department or a private process server will serve the Summons, along with the document that was filed. When serving a family law or divorce papers it's common for service attempts to be made at a party's residence or at their place of employment.

How long does it take to get served divorce papers in Illinois?

Serving them papers can take several weeks, and once they've been served they have 30 days to respond. If your spouse does not need to be served, they can fill out an Entry of Appearance form in advance. After this step, you'll get a case number and a court date.

Does a sheriff have to serve divorce papers in Illinois?

Illinois law requires that service be by a sheriff. “Process shall be served by a sheriff” 735 ILCS 5/2-202(a). 99% of divorce lawyers who practice in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois use special process servers. The Illinois statute requires divorce lawyers to motion the court to appoint a special process server.Sep 3, 2018

How long before a marriage is dissolved?

If you are divorcing on the grounds of separation, then you and your spouse will need to have been separated for at least two years if you both agree to the divorce, and at least five years if you don't.Jan 14, 2020

Can I get divorced without a financial settlement?

In short: no. The most important thing to stress is that if you've already divorced without reaching a financial settlement, it's not too late. While it's usually advised you reach a financial settlement and get a financial order from court at the time of divorce, you can still do this after you're divorced.Mar 8, 2022

What is the Illinois chapter dissolution?

A corporation or LLC is properly dissolved by filing Articles of Dissolution with the Secretary of State, sending notice to all known creditors, liquidating assets, and properly distributing those assets to creditors and shareholders.Nov 16, 2020

How do I dissolve a marriage in Illinois?

You and your spouse BOTH agree to get a divorce. You and your spouse BOTH fill out the paperwork together. You and your spouse BOTH attend court.

Can I get a dissolution of marriage without an attorney?

Yes, it is possible to file your own divorce and complete the process without the aid of an attorney.

How do I file for divorce on my own in Illinois?

If you or your spouse has lived in Illinois for at least 90 days, you will be able to file for divorce. To do it yourself without a lawyer, you'll need to file a petition for dissolution of marriage at the county courthouse where you live.

Do you have to file for separation in Illinois?

In Illinois, legal separation (sometimes called separate maintenance) is available to couples who are living separate and apart from each other. To start the process, at least one spouse will need to file a petition for separation.Some states give couples a time limit for separation, but that's not true in Illinois.

How do you fill out a marriage settlement agreement?

Make sure you have all of the basic information and divorce forms you need according to the divorce laws in your state. Make sure you have all of the personal information you need. Include a statement that you and the other party are in agreement with the contents of the document.

How do I kick my husband out of the house in Illinois?

If your husband or wife has not moved out of the residence you cannot change the locks. The only way you can get them out of the house is via an order of protection. You'll see the court laying out a hardship test.

How long do you have to be separated in Illinois to get a divorce?

You must be separated from your spouse for six months in order to file for divorce in Illinois.

What is community property?

Community property is generally any property you and your spouse purchased during your marriage or paidfor during the marriage, no matter WHO uses the property or WHO paid the money. Unless property was agift or an inheritance, or acquired after the Petition for Dissolution was served on your spouse, generallyall property acquired during the marriage is community property, and both you and your spouse are entitledto roughly an equal share of this property.

Is domestic violence a part of marriage?

Domestic violence can be part of any marriage. Domestic violence includes physical violence, such as hitting, slapping, pushing or kicking, OR threats of physical violence, directed against you and/or your child(ren). Domestic violence also includes verbal abuse used to control you and/or your child(ren).

What is real property?

Real Property (property (land) or home). You can ask the Court to give you the property (land/home), togive the property (land/home) to your spouse, or to sell the property (land/home) and divide the proceeds.You should write the complete address of the property under "Real Estate Located at.” Most property has alegal description such as "LOT 77, PINE TREE ACRES, according to Book 111 of Maps,” which appears onyour deed papers. You should use this legal description. A cemetery plot is considered real property.

What is spousal support?

Spousal Maintenance/Support (Alimony) is the term used to describe money paid from one spouse to theother spouse as part of a divorce settlement. You may know the term as alimony or spousal maintenance.

How do I dissolve a marriage in Illinois?

You and your spouse BOTH agree to get a divorce. You and your spouse BOTH fill out the paperwork together. You and your spouse BOTH attend court.

What happens after you respond to a divorce petition?

You answer the divorce petition to let the court know your position in the divorce case.If you don't answer the divorce petition and you don't go to a hearing, it's still possible that the judge can grant the divorce. If that happens, the judge also can make other decisions in the divorce.

What happens if you do not respond to a divorce petition?

When one spouse in California files a petition for divorce, the other spouse must be formally served with papers.When a spouse doesn't respond to a divorce petition, the person who failed to file the answer to the court will lose his or her rights to make arguments about property division, support, and child custody.

Can I get a dissolution of marriage without an attorney?

Yes, it is possible to file your own divorce and complete the process without the aid of an attorney.

How do you respond to a divorce letter?

Answer only. An "Answer" tells the judge and your spouse what parts of the complaint you agree with and disagree with. Answer with a Counterclaim.

What is a proposed Judgement in a divorce?

The Judgment of divorce is the document that gets you divorced. It contains the division of property, standard paragraphs, the paragraph granting the divorce, etc. A proposed judgment means the judgment you want entered. So you are proposing the terms in the judgment you have prepared.

What is a Judgement of dissolution?

Judgment-Dissolution: If the judgment has a marital termination date, you are divorced. Judgment-Legal Separation: You are still married. If you do not wish to remain married, you must file a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) to begin the process of divorcing your spouse.

Step 2: e-file your documents (unless you are exempted)

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts has step-by-step guides on how to e-file (in English and Spanish) with videos.

Do you need more legal help?

To see the overall process of getting a divorce in Illinois when you have children, please click here.

What is a notice of rights about health insurance?

NOTICE OF RIGHTS ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE: This is an important document that explains what to do about health care coverage for yourself and your minor child(ren). Read it carefully, and be sure a copy is served on your spouse, along with the other divorce papers.

Is domestic violence a part of marriage?

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Domestic violence can be part of any marriage. Domestic violence includes physical violence such as hitting, slapping, pushing or kicking or threats of physical violence directed against you and/or your children and/or verbal abuse used to control you and/or your children.

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