Category Archives: Legal Separation

Three Things I Wish I Knew about Being Separated without being Married in Chicago
There are a number of reasons that a couple may decide not to get married, even if they have been together for a number of years and share all aspects of their lives with one another. One of those reasons may be that the couple believes that not getting married will make things easier… Read More »

Divorcing Couple Remains Living Together Due to Tough Housing Market
Most divorcing couples in Chicago probably would faint at the thought of living with their ex-spouse after deciding to get a divorce. However, high prices and high inflation have hit and with the housing market pricing many Chicago residents and people around the country out of homes, some couples may be re-thinking living together… Read More »

Separation in Chicago: Key Differences Between Separation in a Marriage and Separation Without Marriage You Need to Know
Often when Chicago residents hear the term “separation” in the context of a romantic relationship or partnership they assume that the individuals subject to the separation were married in the first place. The reality is, however, that separation may occur between partners, significant others, or parties, regardless of whether there was a marriage or… Read More »

Are You Curious about Your Entitlement to Alimony Payments in Your Separation in Chicago? If You were Never Married, Here’s What You Should Know
Most Chicagoans are fairly familiar with the process of divorce in Illinois. Under Illinois marriage and family laws, a married couple that no longer wishes to be married can file a petition for dissolution of marriage in Chicago, and go through the court process to hammer out all of the various issues in a… Read More »

Divorce vs. Separation: 3 Potentially Surprising Differences When It Comes to Splitting Up
In Chicago, most people know the basics of the legal divorce process: a couple who was married and who no longer wants to be married files a case in court in order to legally “dissolve” the marriage. What is likely less well-known, however, among Chicagoans, is the difference between the legal divorce process and… Read More »

Unmarried with Children: Why an Unmarried Parent may Owe Child Support Payments in Chicago after a Separation
Often some of the most controversial issues that come up in Chicago divorce cases are the matters of child custody and child support. Under Chicago marriage and family laws, when a married couple gets divorced, and children were born or adopted in the marriage, child custody will be determined during the divorce proceedings. This… Read More »

Think “Common Law Marriage” Laws Apply to Your Separation without Being Married in Chicago? Think Again
Most Chicagoans have likely heard the term “common law marriage.” However, perhaps fewer Chicago residents know whether common law marriage applies to them if they are separating from their significant other or partner. In order to help Chicago couples better understand the concept of a “common law marriage” and whether “common law marriage” laws… Read More »