Best Divorce Lawyers in Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Chicago, Illinois?

  The non-emergency number for the Chicago Police Department is (312) 746-6000.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Chicago, Illinois?

  Visit the Chicago Police Department Records Customer Services Section, 1st Floor, Room 1010, 3510 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60653, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to obtain a Chicago police report in person. Your payment must include $0.50 per case report copy requested. In addition, you can request a copy be mailed to you.

• How much does a divorce in Chicago cost?

  Chicago divorce costs vary by circumstance. The more you agree, the cheaper the case. Variation exists within each divorce type. For instance, a divorce involving two children and numerous assets will be more complicated than one involving neither of these factors. Depending on your perspective, the cheapest way to get a divorce is to file for divorce yourself at the courthouse without hiring an attorney. The only expense is the filing fee, between $300 and $400.

• How long must one be a resident of Illinois before filing for divorce in Chicago?

  To be eligible to file for divorce in the state of Illinois, you must meet the following residency requirements: Before the filing of the divorce petition or the entry of the divorce judgment, one of the parties must have resided in Illinois for at least 90 consecutive days (i.e., the conclusion of the divorce proceeding).

• Is there a waiting period before a divorce can be granted in Chicago?

  A no-fault divorce calls for a required separation period. You and your spouse must have been apart for two years before you can divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. The waiting period is shortened to six months if both parties consent to the divorce. Separate residences are not necessary while you wait. Separate and apart living may be defined as having separate bedrooms in the same home. If any of the above mentioned grounds for divorce apply, there is no waiting period.

• What can you do if you can't give your spouse the divorce papers in Chicago?

  You can serve by publication if the sheriff is unable to serve your spouse with divorce papers in Chicago. By publishing a divorce notice in a newspaper with wide distribution, service by publication enables you to give your spouse notice of the divorce. The county court must, however, approve this type of service. You can request service by a publication by contacting the Circuit Court Clerk, who can advise you on which newspaper to contact.

• Does your wife receive half of everything in a Chicago divorce?

  No. Illinois is not a fifty-fifty state when it comes to divorce. In Chicago, the law mandates that divorcing spouses make decisions based on their unique family and financial circumstances. Sometimes, a 50-50 split of certain assets or rights may be appropriate, but what constitutes an appropriate split must be determined case by case. It is the case for each of the five major aspects of a divorce in Illinois: property division, debt division, spousal support, child support, and child custody.