If you are in the military and want t a divorce in Illinois, you can contact me to get started with the divorce process. Many people on active duty service face challenges others don’t. And I find they are particularly interested in a fast and affordable. divorce.
As a lawyer who helps members of the military divorce in Illinois, I’ve put together these frequently asked questions (FAQ) on Illinois military divorce. You might also check out some articles I wrote on the Illinois uncontested divorce process.
Non-military may also find some of this information useful.
I’m serving oversees. Can I get divorce in Illinois?
Maybe. A person can file for divorce in Illinois if either spouse has been a resident of Illinois for at least 90 days. But that begs the question of who is a resident? If you are serving in Korea, but were a resident of Illinois prior to the military, you still may be considered a resident. Or, if you are from Wisconsin, but your base Great Lakes Navel Base in Illinois, you can get divorce in Illinois.
I’m out of state. Can I get divorced in Illinois if my spouse is there?
As mentioned above, a person can file for divorce in Illinois if either spouse has been a resident of Illinois for at least 90 days.
For example, if you are based in Virginia, but your spouse has been living in Illinois for 90 days, then you can file for divorce in Illinois.
Do I have to come to court?
In an uncontested divorce in Illinois, the person who files a case must be in court. The other person can come to court, but doesn’t have to.
For an uncontested divorce, there is only one court appearance. Members of the military can have a hard time travelling to Illinois to go to court. While problems traveling can cause delay, I have a history of scheduling court dates during times that work for my military clients – such as when they can get leave. For example, if you are going to be in Illinois on leave from October 1st to October 7th, there is a very high chance I can schedule the finalization of your divorce during that date range.
How long does the process take?
The fastest Illinois uncontested divorce I’ve handled took 3 weeks. If you are in the military, the biggest challenge will likely be getting leave to come to court, or getting time off.
How much does it cost to get divorce?
There are court fees, and attorney fees when you use an attorney.
- Court fees: An uncontested divorce is the most affordable way to get divorced. There are court fees when getting divorced, and the fee various based on the county of the divorce. For instance, in Cook County, the total fees are more than $500. In other counties, they are less.
- Attorney fees: I offer special rates and payment plans for members of the military.
How do I get started with a divorce?
You can contact me, Illinois divorce lawyer David Wolkowitz. I can communicate with you via email or phone, and we don’t have to meet in person.