Legal Separation in Chicago

A husband and wife who have decided to live apart, either as a precursor to a divorce or as a “cooling off” period, may choose to pursue a legal separation. Unlike divorce, separation does not involve the division of marital property, a determination of child custody or anything else that could be construed as a final dissolution of the marriage. Similar to divorce, a legal separation often involves temporary alimony and child support payments (if applicable). While husbands and wives don’t need the court’s blessing to live apart, a legal separation achieved through court order spells out the specific terms of the separation and can make the divorce process much smoother.

Couples that decide they want to get back together should dismiss any legal separation ordered by the court. While a legal separation is not as complex as a divorce, it often makes sense to consult the services of an Illinois family lawyer.