When a couple decides to end their marriage, it is not so easy as simply agreeing to get divorced. Depending on the circumstances, a divorce can be quite a complicated and difficult process and the right steps will depend on your preferred strategy and goals. However, the general process of most divorces is fairly similar and follows a necessary set of steps. If you are interested in starting the divorce process or have more questions about how divorce works in Illinois, schedule a meeting with a Chicago divorce attorney right away. 

Should We File for Divorce in Illinois? 

The first step when filing for divorce is determining whether you meet the residency requirements for filing in a particular place. In Illinois, you must have lived in the state for at least 90 days unless you have minor children involved in the divorce, in which case the residency requirement is extended to 180 days. You and your spouse do not both have to have residency in Illinois to file for divorce; only one spouse needs to be in the state. 

Do We Need To Have Grounds For Divorce? 

No. In Illinois, the only grounds necessary and acceptable for divorce are “irreconcilable differences.” If both of you agree to get divorced, the process can proceed right away. If one spouse does not want to get divorced, you will need to live “separate and apart” (but not necessarily in separate households) before the process can move forward. 

While nobody gets married expecting to get divorced one day, the statistics speak for themselves. Nearly 1 in 2 Illinois couples who get married can expect to eventually get divorced. Finding good information about divorce is not easy, especially if you are in a “non-traditional” marriage. Perhaps you worry about being judged by an attorney, or have questions about whether the divorce process is the same for you as it is for other couples. If you have questions about LGBTQ divorce in Illinois, check this blog for answers to common questions and then speak with a compassionate LGBTQ divorce attorney. 

Is it Legal for Gay Couples to Get Divorced in Illinois? 

Yes. Illinois divorce laws apply equally to everyone. Homosexual couples can divorce as long as they: 

You're getting divorced, and you do have a lot of issues you need to work out where your child is concerned.

One big issue that many divorcing parents overlook is how they plan to handle the situation when their child is old enough to drive. Whether your child is a teenager who is fast approaching the test for their learner's permit or is still years away from that step, this is something you should talk about with your co-parent today.

The unfortunate reality is that the LGBTQ community has long faced significant discrimination. This was perhaps best exemplified by the fact that gay marriage was not even legal in all 50 states up until 2015.

But that has changed now, and gay couples can get married in any state that they would like. Does this mean that discrimination toward this group is coming to an end? Or do people within this community still feel like they face consistent discrimination?

It is well known that money causes a lot of divorce cases. Some have even gone so far as to say that most divorces happen because of money or financial pressure. And it is certainly clear that money plays a big role in the property division process.

But this doesn't just mean that you're going to get divorced if you don't earn enough or if you have too much debt. Certainly, this type of financial stress can lead to the end of your marriage, but it could also happen just because of the way that you and your spouse view money itself.