Is this the End of No-Fault Divorce in Chicago? Chicagoans Wonder How Their Rights and Options will be Impacted as Lawmakers in Some Conservative States Consider Back-Peddling on No-Fault Divorce
Although it is somewhat unbelievable in this modern age, the truth is that some conservative lawmakers throughout the United States want to back-peddle on decades-old changes to many states’ marriage and divorce laws that allow married couples to divorce without proving fault. According to news reports, republican lawmakers in a number of conservative states “want to get rid” of no-fault divorce. One of those lawmakers is Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s newly-announced running mate, J.D. Vance. Vance’s recent rise in the ranks of GOP politics and his stance on the issue of no-fault divorce shines a spotlight on lawmakers’ efforts to reverse some states’ no-fault divorce laws. But what exactly is a “no-fault” divorce, and can Chicagoans file for a “no-fault” divorce as the law stands now? To help Chicagoans better understand “no-fault” divorce and the current legal landscape in Chicago under Illinois laws, we answer those questions here.
“No-Fault” Divorce: What Is It?
Simply put, a “no-fault” divorce is a divorce in which the party – or soon-to-be ex-spouse – who files for divorce need not prove any “fault” on the part of the other party to end the marriage. In other words, in Illinois, and in most other states throughout the U.S., if one person in the marriage wants to get a divorce, they do not need to allege that there is any particular reason for the divorce, but rather that it is “irretrievably broken” to the point that marriage is no longer tenable. In the past, and in states that still require that a party prove fault in order to get a divorce, a person seeking a divorce was required to prove that there was a reason for the divorce, such as the financial waste or abuse in the marriage or that the other spouse was unfaithful or had drug problems. There is no doubt that doing away with laws that required that a person seeking divorce needed to prove fault in order to get a divorce has allowed married individuals – particularly women – to have more freedom and control over their lives.
The Legal Landscape of “No-Fault” Divorce in Chicago
Advocates of “no-fault” divorce and those potentially seeking a divorce in Chicago can breathe a sigh of relief: Chicago couples can still initiate a “no-fault” divorce under Illinois marriage and divorce laws. This means – at least for now – just like in many other cities and states, married individuals in Chicago need only plead that their marriage is “irretrievably broken” in order to get a divorce.
Legal Help for Individuals in Chicago Seeking a Divorce
If you are seeking a divorce in Chicago, contact the experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at the law firm Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC. The experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at the law firm of Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC are here to help individuals in Chicago navigate the complex legal system. Do not hesitate to speak to an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer today. Contact Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options now.
Source:
watch.montanapbs.org/video/no-fault-divorce-1721506559/
