What Is a Joint Simplified Dissolution in Illinois?

 Posted on January 27, 2022 in Divorce

When a couple in Illinois has been married for a short time and wants to legally end their relationship, they may be able to pursue something known as a “joint simplified dissolution.” Joint simplified dissolutions are different from a declaration of invalidity of a marriage, which makes a marriage as if it never happened. Instead, a joint simplified dissolution is a divorce that allows couples with no children and no significant assets to end their relationship in an expedited process. If you want to learn more about whether you may qualify for a joint simplified divorce in Illinois, read on.

Joint Simplified Dissolution Definition and Requirements

A joint simplified dissolution is essentially a fast-track divorce process for simple divorces in Illinois. A joint simplified divorce takes fewer forms, usually costs far less money, and moves much faster than a traditional divorce. Most joint simplified divorces can be completed after only one court appearance.

Certain requirements must be met for a couple to qualify for a joint simplified dissolution. These include:

• The couple shares no children and is not pregnant
• The marriage did not last longer than eight years
• Neither spouse owns real estate
• Neither spouse has retirement benefits exceedings $10,000
• The net value of a couple’s marital property is less than $50,000
• Neither spouse makes more than $30,000 a year
• Neither spouse relies on the other for financial support
• Both spouses waive the right to spousal maintenance
• Both spouses agree about how to divide any marital asset worth more than $100
• Both spouses agree about how to divide marital debt
• Both spouses agree about how to handle any pets
• Spouses have either lived separate and apart for six months, or both parties wish to waive this requirement

How Can We File for a Joint Simplified Dissolution?

Spouses who want to file for a joint simplified divorce must fill out the appropriate forms and submit them to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the spouses live. Both spouses will write an affidavit stating that all marital property has been divided agreeably and then submit this affidavit at a final court hearing. Both spouses must attend the court hearing and a judge will review the forms. If everything is acceptable, the judge will issue a judgment of dissolution and the marriage will be over.

Contact a Naperville, IL Joint Simplified Dissolution Lawyer

If you believe that you and your spouse meet the requirements and want to file for a joint simplified dissolution, an experienced Naperville, IL divorce attorney with Pesce Law Group, P.C. can help you streamline the process. We have helped many couples dissolve their marriage in whichever way is most appropriate for them, and we will work hard to help you, too. Call us today to schedule a free case review by phone or in person. Our number is 630-352-2240.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+IV%2DA&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=5400000&SeqEnd=6200000