How to Speed Up Your Divorce
A divorce can be a very stressful ordeal, so it is understandable that you want to get it over with as soon as possible. A divorce can take anywhere from a few months to several years to finalize, depending on your individual circumstances. The good news is that you can take steps to accelerate the process. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you explore all of your legal options and choose the course of action that will expedite the divorce process as much as possible.
How to Hasten the Divorce Process
No one wants to go through the divorce process longer than they have to. Here are a few ways to move the process along.
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Educate yourself about the latest divorce laws. Before you even file for divorce, you should learn about the various divorce laws in Illinois. For example, you can ask for a divorce in Illinois if you and your spouse have lived in the state for at least 90 days and been legally separated for at least six months.
- Gather financial documents. The more informed you are about your financial circumstances, the better. Locate tax returns, bank statements, loan documents, pay stubs, and other documents detailing your income, assets, and debts.
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Be truthful. One of the most common reasons why divorces get drawn out is dishonesty. If you, for example, try to hide marital assets from the court, you can expect divorce proceedings to last longer. Lying about your assets during discovery is also considered perjury, which can result in fines and even possible jail time.
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Use a mediator. During mediation, a neutral third party may help you and your spouse come to a fair settlement in a calm setting. Mediation may allow you and your spouse to come to an agreement faster and avoid a long court battle. It is still beneficial to have an experienced divorce lawyer on your side. He or she can help you determine if an agreement is fair or not and address any legal concerns you have.
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Be willing to compromise. If your goal is to have a quick divorce, you may have to compromise on certain matters. Before you begin negotiations, determine what you and your spouse actually want out of the agreement. Realize that you may not be able to get everything you want. For example, you may want to stay in the marital home, but know that you realistically cannot afford the payments on your own. In this situation, it may be best to sell the home and split the profits evenly.
Contact a DuPage County Family Lawyer
If you plan to file for a divorce, you should speak to a Naperville, IL divorce attorney soon. At Pesce Law Group, P.C., we sympathize with how emotionally draining the divorce process can be and want to guide you through the process. Call us at 630-352-2240 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Resources/ea2d3a0c-9b96-4066-8af2-2ba6c0775601/Divorce_No_Children_How_To_Approved.pdf