If new evidence surfaces that was not available during the original divorce proceedings and is relevant to the case, it may be possible to reopen the divorce. This evidence could include financial information, hidden assets, or other significant factors that were not initially considered.
Uncontested divorces can be relatively quick, where spouses agree on all issues. They may be completed in as little as 2-4 weeks after filing the initial paperwork. Contested divorces involving disputes over assets, child custody, or other matters often take much longer—anywhere from 6 months to 2 years in some cases.
In reality, Illinois family law trials are held in front of one judge. The goal of a trial is to persuade the judge to accept your position and issue a ruling that best advances your interests. The process of a trial may differ slightly between individual judges, but most basics stay the same.
Even if your spouse does not want a divorce, it cannot be denied. However, it can be contested. While contesting the divorce can delay the process, it cannot stop it altogether.
In Illinois, there is no mandatory waiting period for an uncontested divorce as long as you meet the residency requirements. A contested divorce usually has a waiting period of six months. Overall, finalizing a divorce in Illinois can take anywhere between two months and a few years.
In most divorces, a husband will still have much more property in the form of separate and marital assets than the wife. The United States General Accounting Office released a report in 2017 finding that women's household income is 40% lower after divorce while men's falls only 23% and rebounds rapidly.
(b) Except as stated in paragraph (c), a lawyer may withdraw from representing a client if: (1) withdrawal can be accomplished without material adverse effect on the interests of the client; (2) the client persists in a course of action involving the lawyer's services that the lawyer reasonably believes is criminal or ...
1 ABA Model (and Illinois) Rule 4.2 Communication with Person Represented by Counsel provides “in representing a client, a lawyer shall not communicate about the subject of the representation with a person the lawyer knows to be represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has the consent of the ...
Rule 11 - Manner of Serving Documents Other Than Process and Complaint on Parties Not in Default in the Trial and Reviewing Courts (a)On Whom Made. If a party is represented by an attorney of record, service shall be made upon the attorney. Otherwise service shall be made upon the party.