Many have been waiting for the day gay marriage is legal in Illinois. But as an Illinois family law attorney, I get many calls from people looking to end a civil union in Illinois.
Please see the below FAQ on civil unions in Illinois. Or, contact me at 312-554-5433. or online. If you are looking for an attorney in Chicago (or elsewhere in Illinois), I may be able to help.
I got a civil union in Illinois. How do I end it?
If you formed a civil union in Illinois, you can end it in much the same manner that a marriage would be ended. Essentially, you can file a petition for a dissolution of a civil union.
There are a whole lot of lawyers who have handle the dissolution of a civil union. But I offer flat fees for uncontested dissolution of civil unions.
I got married somewhere else. Can I get divorce in Illinois?
If you entered into a same-sex marriage in another state, or country, you can end that marriage in Illinois.
For example, people contact me who got married in Iowa, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Canada. Then at least one of the people lives in Illinois and they want to get divorced.
Prior to same-sex marriage being signed into law in Illinois, same-sex couples could end an out-of-state marriage in Illinois by getting a dissolution of a civil union.
However, after same-sex marriage is legal in Illinois, same-sex couples married in other states will be able to get a dissolution of marriage, commonly known as divorce.
In reality, a dissolution of marriage (divorce) is the same as a dissolution of a civil union.
What should I know to get divorce in Illinois?
This website contains a bunch of information about getting divorced in Illinois.
For example, you might want to check out the article “Same Sex Divorce in Illinois” and consider some issues that same-sex couples face in divorce. Or, you might check out my article “Process for Uncontested Divorce in Illinois.”
Finding a lawyer to end a civil union in Illinois
I believe ending a marriage or civil union should be simple. But you still need to take measure to protect yourself and do it right.
I represent clients for a flat fee for same-sex divorces and dissolutions of civil unions. You can contact me at 312-554-5433. or online.