How to Get a Quick Divorce in Illinois?

October 1, 2020 Awais Ahmed

Marriage is only blissful to the extent that both spouses enjoy it. When disagreements and disloyalty set in, it starts getting sour. While there are couples that can get past these trying times, others have no choice but to contemplate divorce.

Divorce is a very long and sometimes complicated process. This is because several issues need to be sorted before the marriage can be dissolved. With a divorce, the applicable laws differ from state to state concerning how one can apply for divorce. Illinois is known for its strong legal bureaucracy, making getting a quick divorce a bit more complicated.

There are, however, several ways that you can get a quick divorce in Illinois. You can do it yourself and use online divorce services, which is a more affordable option. Before we get to some of the ways to get a quick DIY divorce in Illinois, let us examine some of the significant issues around divorce.

Is the Divorce Contested or Uncontested?

Generally, there are two types of divorce in Illinois: contested and uncontested. An uncontested divorce is when you and your spouse reach an agreement to go your separate ways and the terms of your divorce. In an uncontested divorce, there are no issues to be negotiated or litigated. This type of divorce is usually speedy if it involves an online divorce service.

On the other hand, a contested divorce occurs when both parties fail to agree on salient issues. Compromise is one of the bases of marriage, and when both parties are getting a divorce, there is every possibility that they will not be able to agree on the terms of the divorce. A contested divorce always requires serious negotiations and resolutions that must meet specific requirements. Where negotiations fail, it results in a proceeding between you – the petitioner and your spouse – the respondent. Talks can go on for months, and if they fail, the fate of the spouses will be in the hands of the court.

In Illinois, getting a quick uncontested divorce is very simple; a lot depends on how quickly the divorce papers are ready. The petitioner will need to prepare all the proposed documents and ensure all the required information is accurate. This paperwork should include the agreed allocation of parenting time and responsibilities. Children’s issues are the most important in a divorce case. Considering the love that parents have for their children, they must make sure all children-related matters are resolved.

Uncontested divorces are usually always quick to get in Illinois, but that doesn’t mean that contested divorce can’t be relatively fast as well. Reducing the time of a contested divorce will largely depend on the couple being able to resolve issues without having to rely on the court.

Mediation between Couple

In an Illinois divorce, mediation can be mandatory or optional, depending on the issues. Where there are issues around time schedules for children and decisions that affect them, mediation is mandatory. This is because divorce law in Illinois always makes sure to protect the kids from being victims of the decisions made by their parents.

Alternatively, mediation becomes optional when issues around finances and properties come into play. Divorcing parties often find it challenging to agree on financial matters. Litigation is always the best option for spouses to sort this out.

In Illinois, you do not require the services of a lawyer for mediation. Mediation can be carried out between you and your spouse without an attorney. You can discuss with your spouse to arrange a mediation session to deliberate on issues that affect the children. Mediation helps parties address several problems in an Illinois divorce, which makes the process faster and better.

In a mediation, it is always best for couples to extensively discuss issues like the child’s location, what school the child will attend, and the visiting times of parents. This is important because divorce can have a very devastating effect on the child if not properly planned out.

Where parties fail to resolve cogent issues in an Illinois divorce through mediation, the court steps in to salvage the situation. Judges always try to advocate for reconciliation above litigation because litigation causes hostility between parties.

Pre-Trial in a Divorce

In Illinois, any of the spouses can request a pre-trial conference. To have this request granted, both parties to the divorce must have completed all the necessary discoveries. The essence of a pre-trial conference is to make recommendations on presentations made by divorcing couples. Here, mediation, negotiations, and other means of alternative dispute resolution are suggested to parties.

Stipulations in a Divorce Trial

Negotiation, mediation, reservation, and pre-trial are strategies used to help parties reach an agreement. Where there are matters that parties disagree, the court intervenes to make a ruling on those issues. Stipulations in a divorce trial aim at removing the complexity involved in the presentation of evidence. The primary essence of stipulations in an Illinois divorce trial is to speed up the process and help divorcing parties reach an agreement more swiftly.

Why Can’t You Get A Quick Divorce in Illinois?

The primary reason why getting a quick divorce in Illinois may be difficult is the parties failing to respond on time. Holding the non-responsive party in a divorce in default is a way you can make the process timely. When you hold the non-responsive party in default, the divorce can still be entered if the grounds for divorce are reasonable.

Another factor that can slow down an Illinois divorce is discovery. Parties in a divorce have a right to request documents and proof from the other party. The other party is bound by the divorce law in Illinois to provide any material to which he/she has access. Discovery requests are always continuous and revealing in nature, making them time-consuming and capable of slowing down the process.

Tips to Get a Quick Divorce in Illinois

A lot has been said about issues surrounding divorce in Illinois, but most importantly, how do you get a quick divorce in Illinois? Here are some beneficial tips that can help you go through the process smoothly and quickly.

Discuss with Your Spouse

Getting a quick divorce starts with you speaking with your spouse before filing for divorce. An uncontested divorce is usually one that is done by agreement. You need to discuss with your spouse if they agree with your decision to commence the divorce process.

There may be several terms in the divorce agreement that your spouse may not like. Discuss these terms with your spouse and iron out every issue. It will make the process a lot smoother and help you achieve a quick divorce.

Work with the Best Online Divorce Website

Online divorce can be a way to get a quick divorce in Illinois when you work with the best online divorce services. While divorce over the internet is a reasonable consideration, you should go for one of the top online divorce site onlineohiodivorce.com. Reputable online divorce services can prepare all your documents within two business days.

If you want extra insurance that the documents you receive are completed correctly and error-free, you can hire a lawyer to go through them carefully.

Create a List of Your Assets and Debt

Property division and debt settlement are two aspects of divorce that slow down the process. To make sure this does not happen, create a list of all your assets and debts. When doing this, focus more on community property and leave out the personal property. Community property, also known as marital property, refers to property acquired during the subsistence of a valid marriage.

Adequate inventory of your assets and debts makes it easy for you to have your rights protected.

Be Specific About the Kids

When discussing your kids with your spouse, you have to be intentional about it. Avoid making an ambiguous parental agreement with regards to handling the kids. Make sure your application for divorce online comes with a comprehensive understanding of how the kids will be taken care of after the divorce. Reaching an agreement with your spouse should not be difficult, because when it comes to kids, divorcing parties always have a soft spot.

You do not have to spend all your money to get a divorce. Web divorce is an excellent way to get a quick divorce in Illinois with all the requirements as provided by law adequately met. With the right divorce companies, you can get the best internet divorce with all the paperwork prepared and filed appropriately. In no time, significant issues like child custody, spousal support, and property division can be addressed, and the marriage dissolved.