Same-Sex Divorce Lawyers in Chicago

Helping Clients Through the Process of Same-Sex Divorce

When you got married, the last thing you are likely thinking about is divorce. For this reason, many people never have reason to consider the legal process of divorce until they are staring down the end of their marriage. If you are in a same-sex marriage, you might additionally wonder if the divorce process will be different for you than for opposite-sex couples. The short answer is that while divorce is complicated, same-sex divorce proceeds largely like any other divorce case. 

At the Law Offices of George M. Sanders, P.C., we represent clients from all situations in divorce cases, including same-sex spouses. We have been dedicated to helping with family law matters in the Chicagoland area for decades, and we can help you move through the process in the most favorable manner possible. Contact our legal team today to learn how we can help during every stage of your case.

Same-Sex Divorce in Illinois

As of 2015, every state was required to recognize a valid marriage between two people regardless of their sex. Within two years of that landmark Supreme Court ruling, more than 1 million LGBT people had married in the U.S., meaning there were more than 500,000 new marriages, with more occurring since. With the natural flood of same-sex marriages, it is expected that some of those marriages would not work and that courts would begin seeing same-sex divorces.

Just like the laws applying to married couples are equal for same-sex and opposite-sex couples, so are the Illinois laws regarding divorce. The following is an overview of what to expect if you are ending your same-sex marriage.

Divorce Laws and Requirements in Chicago

Divorces in the state of Illinois are governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. The Act requires that one spouse be a resident of Illinois for at least 90 days and that you cite no-fault grounds for divorce (Illinois no longer recognizes fault-based grounds). 

Under the law, you also must resolve the following issues before you obtain a legal divorce:

• Division of marital property – You must decide how to equitably divide all of your marital property, assets, and debts, which are those you acquired during your marriage. 

• Spousal support – Also called alimony or maintenance, this is support provided by one spouse to the other until the receiving spouse can support themselves.

• Child-related issues – If you have children together, you will need to decide how you will share custody and whether one parent will pay child support. 

Consult with Our Same-Sex Divorce Lawyers in Chicago Today

Same-sex divorce is the same as opposite-sex divorce, and the same complications can arise. The Law Offices of George M. Sanders helps clients resolve their divorce-related issues in the most efficient yet favorable manner to help them move forward in the best possible position. Contact us to speak with our same-sex divorce lawyers in Chicago.