Legal Separation Lawyer Lake Forest Illinois
Divorce is not the only way to officially end a marriage in Illinois. There are two other measures that can be taken: legal separation and annulment. The three variations of ending a marriage should be fully understood before pursuing any form of separation. Of course, if you are having serious problems with your marriage and are seeking an end, an experienced legal separation lawyer in Lake Forest Illinois can provide the assistance you need to get through this hard time as smoothly as possible. Contact our attorneys today to discuss your options and to learn how we can assist you in moving forward.
Divorce: The Most Common Way to End a Marriage
The most common way couples end their marriages is by divorce. One or more parties will need to explain that the partnership can go no further due to irreconcilable differences, which is all that it takes in Illinois to get a no-fault divorce. To be sure, this means that neither party needs to be “at fault” for a divorce. Additionally, both parties do not have to agree to get a divorce in the first place. If one person wants the divorce and cannot get the other to agree to sign the paperwork, the other partner will be able to obtain a default judgment, and the divorce becomes legal. A divorce lawyer Lake Forest, IL provides can help.
Legal Separation: Similar to Divorce and Sometimes Used for Religious Purposes
As a Lake Forest Illinois, legal separation lawyer can explain, a legal separation does not exactly end a marriage. Neither partner can legally re-marry even after being legally separated unless one or both decide to get a divorce afterward. Legal separation allows a couple to make agreements on finances, parenting issues, and property while (usually) living apart.
It is sometimes a preferred method of, essentially, ending a marriage over divorce due to religious reasons. According to Illinois law, one of the parties is able to request from a judge any orders that would come along with a divorce, such as domestic violence restraining orders, child support, partner support, spousal support, visitation rights, and custody.
Annulments Can be Used to Combat Fraud or Concealment
An annulment essentially erases any legal sign of the marriage. However, to go through this process, there must have been a reason that the marriage was void or that it was voidable. Often, fraud, concealment, or misrepresentation are causes for an annulment. The grounds on which the couple got married, for instance, could have been to have children. If one partner did not know that the other was incapable of conceiving children, that could be looked upon as concealment. Additionally, if one person had a sexually transmitted disease or a serious criminal record that the other person did not know about, or one person was underage or only wanted to marry to gain citizenship, the marriage could be annulled. A Lake Forest Illinois legal separation lawyer can evaluate your situation to determine if you qualify for an annulment.
Let a Lake Forest Illinois Legal Separation Lawyer Help
Whatever your reason for ending a marriage, our legal team has the experience and extensive knowledge about all the various processes involved. Contact Hurst, Robin & Kay, LLC today to set up an appointment with an experienced legal separation lawyer Lake Forest Illinois clients recommend for a free consultation.