Your Questions Answered: Can I File for an “Easy” Divorce in Chicago’s Cook County Without a Lawyer?

Sometimes a Chicago divorce case starts out amicable. The two soon-to-be ex-spouses both want the divorce at the start, are aligned on critical issues such as the division of property and child custody, and are both willing to progress through the Chicago divorce process. However, even when things seem like they are going smoothly in an “amicable” Chicago divorce, the case can turn quickly, and a small issue may blow up into a big issue, and that may derail the divorce proceedings entirely. For these reasons, and for others, attempting to obtain an order of divorce in Chicago without a lawyer can be very tricky. Nevertheless, though, some individuals in Chicago who are seeking a divorce wonder if there is an “easy” way to do it on their own.

A Reddit user named “AggravatingSports5347” posted a question exactly to that point earlier this January. AggravatingSports5347 posted in the popular Reddit forum “r/FamilyLaw” the following question to her peers: “Hey all..Im [sic] in Chicago, 39 (F), and my husband is 37. We have no kids, no real assets to speak of and have only been married for three years. I make too much to qualify for legal aid, and I just need someone or some resources that will tell me step by step how to file for divorce. I don’t think we need to have a lawyer, but I def [sic] want to cover my bases. Any resources or advice would be helpful!”

Some Reddit contributors immediately jumped on AggravatingSports5347’s thread, asking for clarification as to whether the divorce is “contested.”  These Reddit users immediately picked up on the fact that AggravatingSports5347’s matter may not be as “easy” as described. AggravatingSports4347 responded to questions about whether the divorce is contested with the following reply, “So I don’t [sic] think there’s anything to contest, he just does not want the divorce. ATP, he wants me to stop with all legal proceedings, but there’s nothing he can do. Weve [sic] been living apart for nearly a month, and I will not go back home under any circumstances.” To this reply, Reddit users correctly noted that, since the divorce is contested, it may not be as “easy” to finalize the divorce as it seems.

Representing Yourself Without a Lawyer in Your Contested Chicago Divorce

The truth of the matter is that if one spouse does not want to get divorced in Chicago, obtaining a quick and “easy” divorce is likely an uphill battle. In order to obtain an order of divorce in Chicago without court intervention, the parties to a divorce must agree on the important issues involved in a divorce case, such as the matters of child custody, property distribution, and alimony. If the couple does not agree on these issues, the divorce case will have to be litigated in court.

Finding Legal Help in Chicago for Your Chicago Divorce Case

The good news is that there are legal resources for individuals in Chicago who are seeking a divorce. A Chicago divorce lawyer is the best place to start. If you are in the Chicago area and you need legal help with your Chicago divorce case, contact the experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at the law firm Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC. The experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC are here to help individuals in Chicago with their divorce cases. Do not hesitate to speak to an experienced Chicago lawyer about your case today. Contact Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC and speak to a lawyer now.