What Are The Grounds For Divorce In Illinois?

Divorce doesn’t have to define your life. Many people view divorce as a positive step, releasing them from unhappy marriages and allowing them to pursue their goals. Additionally, most people remarry three years after their divorce, indicating that their divorces don’t stop them from pursuing serious relationships afterward.

For many people, the frustrating thing about divorce is less about the emotions involved than the technical aspects. Lots of us need help simply because we don’t understand how divorce works. You may not understand the grounds by which you can get divorced in your state, as the rules vary throughout the United States. With that in mind, we’re looking into some of the grounds for divorce in Illinois. The more you know, the easier your divorce will be.

What Are The Grounds for Divorce In Illinois?

Here’s where you may be surprised — there is only one technical ground for divorce in Illinois. This is “irreconcilable differences”. In the past, this was referred to as a no-fault divorce. In other words, neither party is technically at fault; it’s just that they can’t reconcile with each other, and therefore need to get divorced. This leaves the door open for people getting divorced for essential reasons, whether they be related to adultery, financial issues, or incompatibility. The marriage is irretrievably broken down.

The good thing about this approach is that either party can file for divorce. If no-fault divorce is not allowed, this can mean that only the “wronged’ party can file for divorce. This can leave two people trapped in an unhappy marriage. So while irreconcilable differences may seem vague, this reasoning is ultimately quite useful and can guide you as you seek professional divorce help.

What Happens When I Want To Divorce?

If you want to divorce in Illinois, there are some parameters you must meet. The couple must be separated for six months either living in the same household or separate households before the divorce is granted. This will assert that all attempts at reconciliation have failed, or that reconciliation would not be in the best interests of the couple.

During your separation period, the two of you can hire attorneys and get divorce help from a mediator. While divorce can be challenging, if it’s approached in a fair way, everyone in your family can benefit from it.