Is it Possible to Get a Quick Divorce in Illinois?

When you think of divorce, you may imagine a long, complicated, costly battle. A divorce is seen as one of the most emotional events you will go through, and it is even equated with grieving the death of a loved one. Because of this, you can see why many people try to delay divorce.

If you are serious about getting a divorce, though, you may wonder if there is any way you can expedite the process. Illinois does offer a joint simplified procedure for those who meet all the requirements. Read on to learn what this process entails. 

Requirements of Joint Simplified Procedure

A joint simplified procedure is a form of uncontested divorce that allows you to resolve your divorce issues quickly. The first step is to be an Illinois resident for at least 90 days. There are many other strict requirements involved. For example:

• Both you and your spouse agree to the divorce.
• There are no grounds of fault for the divorce.
• You cannot be married for more than eight years. 
• Neither of you earn more than $20,000 a year, with the combined annual income less than $35,000.
• There are no children and the wife is not pregnant.
• No alimony is involved.
• Neither of you have real property.
• Your marital assets are less than $10,000.
• You both have arrived at an agreement as to how to divide the property you own, including pets.

There are many benefits to the joint simplified procedure. There are fewer forms required and they are less complex. All that is required is one court appearance. You can also save a lot of money on attorney fees and speed up the divorce process. Your divorce can be finalized in just a month or two. 

However, as you can see, only a limited number of married couples can take advantage of the joint simplified procedure. If you do not qualify, but you and your spouse agree on all divorce-related matters, you can still file an uncontested divorce using the standard procedure. You will still save time and money.

Keep in mind that the key to speed is mutual agreement. If you still have a positive relationship with your spouse, you should try to negotiate on all the divorce issues. Discuss what you want and need in a divorce agreement. Before starting, you may want to seek legal help to make sure you understand your legal rights. The last thing you want to do is lose out on anything you are entitled to keep or have.

Contact a Chicago Divorce Attorney

Divorces often take a year or longer to finalize because there are so many complicated aspects involved. While a quicker divorce is possible, both you and your spouse need to be on board.

The Chicago divorce attorneys at Arami Law, Inc. can better understand your situation and determine if you qualify for an expedited divorce proceeding. Schedule a consultation with our office today. Fill out the online form or call our office.