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Couples must not be "living as husband and wife" for six months* before filing in a "no-fault"
divorce [where both individuals agree to divorce and all attempts at reconciliation have failed].

Spousal support [known by many as "alimony," though this term is not used in Illinois] is awarded
based on: how long it will take and what will be necessary for the "dependent" spouse to receive
education or training to find reasonable employment; the standard of living enjoyed during the
marriage; how long the couple was married; the ages of the individuals; the physical and
emotional states of each individual; property and income of both individuals; ability of the spouse
seeking support to hold a job or collect unemployment due to the necessity of caring for a child
or children; whether or not the spouse seeking support assisted the other spouse receive an
education or training; the marital settlement agreement.

Women may request to have their original surname restored as part of the divorce.

Child custody may be awarded based on the best interest of the child/ren. The following may be
involved in the decision making process: the child's preference; the parents' wishes; the
adjustment of the child in regard to home, school and community; physical and mental health of
those involved; the child's relationship to parents, brothers and sisters as well as relationships
with other significant relatives; history of the threat of abuse or acts of violence by a parent and
directed not only toward the child/ren but against others also; the ability and willingness of either
parent to encourage a loving relationship with the other parent.

Either or both parents may be required to pay child support. Illinois uses a consistent set of
guidelines for a percentage of net income. If these guidelines are not appropriate, the following
become factors in reaching a judgment: financial needs of the child/ren and financial resources of
the parent having primary care; the standard of living the child would have had if the parents
were not divorcing; the child/ren's conditions emotionally or physically and the educational needs
of the child; the financial resources and obligations of both parents.

Support may be ordered to be directly paid from the parent's wages and if non-compliance
becomes an issue, the driver's license of the delinquent parent may be revoked.

* "Not living as husband and wife" is generally seen as the last time the couple had sexual intercourse, though many attorneys consider this to be the date
when one or both parties intended on ending the marriage.

THIS SECTION OF OUR WEB PAGE IS PROVIDED AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE
CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN A DIVORCE ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPEAK
WITH AN ATTORNEY IN ORDER TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE LAW AND HOW IT
APPLIES TO THEM.

CHICAGOLAND COURTS OF LAW

Not all county court web-sites are created
equal. No matter which county you live in,
DO CHECK OUT COOK COUNTY...

www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org
Very clear information about divorce in Illinois
[especially Cook County, though much of the
information holds true to the state in general].

DIVORCE -
On the blue navigation buttons on the left go to
"Operational Divisions" and click on it. Click on the
"Domestic Relations Division" button. After this page
opens, go to the blue buttons and click on
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. There you will find
the divorce process spelled out very clearly.

DIVORCE RESOURCES -
On the www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org web site, click on
the blue "Self Help Center" button on the left hand side
of the page, click on the "Family and Juvenile" link and
then click on the "Self Help Resources" link.

McHenry County's web-site is somewhat helpful,
but with very limited information.

Kane, Lake and DuPage County web-sites
offer little to nothing. Don't bother!

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Illinois State Treasurer's Office has some
important information about personal finance
for people before, during and after the divorce process.
It is buried, and some sections could be more clearly
labeled but dig patiently, it is worth the effort.

www.state.il.us/treaus/

On the navigation bar on the top of the page, click on
the "Finances" button. Once on the page, it is labeled
"Personal Finance." Click on "Starting Out After Divorce"
link on the right side of the page.
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					ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT DIVORCE IN ILLINOIS AND INFORMATIONAL WEB-SITES & WEB-ADDRESSES *Illinois Cost-Effective Mediation - 8*88.245.3993 dean@icmediation.net





			*GENERAL RESOURCES* DivorceNet Very complete and copious information about divorce in general, specifics regarding divorce laws and practices in the State of Illinois as well as advice for coping with divorce, children and divorce and much more! Divorce Source Excellent source for general information, Illinois information, chat-groups for support, referrals and the like. Divorce Magazine.Com Very helpful in understanding the ins-and-outs of divorce as well as information and referrals. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES ORDER OF PROTECTION- Call the Domestic Violence Court in Cook County at 312/325-9500 to begin the process for an Order of Protection. ILLINOIS COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- This web-site offers a great deal of information. For divorce issues specifically, go to the "LAW" page and when there scroll down and click on the "Divorce" link. www.icadv.org