Find How to File for Divorce in Lewiston IL
Brave Law Center attorneys can assist you in the process of how to file for divorce in Lewistown IL. For the legal guidance you need, call 309-228-9254 to speak with our family law attorneys.
Getting a divorce can drain you emotionally and stress you out. If communication between you and your spouse breaks down, you should seek professional legal counsel for help. Without it, you will face difficulty in deciding important matters. During this process, decisions get made concerning child custody, support payments, the division of assets and allocating property. So, you need an experienced legal representative who will fight for you and your best interests. For that reason, you should contact Brave Law. Our divorce attorneys can negotiate favorable terms for you.
Contact us now to request a free initial consultation to discuss your case. For your convenience, please continue reading for a step-by-step guide on how to file for divorce in Lewiston IL.
First Step: Defining a Divorce in Illinois
Before we delve further into how to file for a divorce in Lewistown IL, it’s important to understand what a divorce means in Illinois courts. The state defines a divorce as a dissolution of a marriage. In addition, there are two kinds of divorce:
- Fault Divorce – This type of divorce requires one spouse to prove the other has engaged in some form of marital misconduct. As a result, a divorce becomes necessary to dissolve the marriage.
- No-Fault Divorce – This type of divorce only requires a spouse to declare the marriage is irretrievably broken. It does not require proof that a spouse has engaged in marital misconduct.
There are a few other requirements in Illinois. For example, one such requirement is living in the state for a minimum of 90 days before filing. Brave Law family lawyers can inform you of all the necessary requirements in filing for divorce.
Second Step: Preparation of Divorce Forms
Now that you understand the requirements of the different types of divorce, now you can learn how to file for divorce in Lewistown IL. The Illinois Legal Aid Online resource page provides many of the forms you will need to fill out. You will need to decide the type of divorce you want to file. The Illinois Supreme Court publishes many of the standard divorce forms. In addition, you will need to file what is known as the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This is a written request that states you are seeking a divorce. Fulton County also provides access to local forms online. Brave Law divorce lawyers can assist you with the preparation of these forms to ensure they get filed with the correct legal language required.
Third Step: Filing the Forms
Filing the paperwork with the Fulton County Circuit Clerk is the next step in how to file for divorce in Lewistown IL. The courthouse is located at 100 North Main Street in Lewistown IL. You may want to call the clerk’s office before attempting to file any forms. Since there is a fee to file the forms, this will help you to know how much you will need to pay. Of course, Brave Law attorneys can prepare and file these forms on your behalf if you prefer. That way, we can save you the time and hassle of doing this step by yourself.
Fourth Step: Serving Your Spouse
The next step in how to file for divorce in Lewistown IL involves having the sheriff’s office or a process server serve divorce papers to your spouse. The court may also permit you to use a non-party who is over 18 to deliver the forms. When it comes to “serving” a spouse, it simply means providing them with copies of your divorce papers that have been filed. If the sheriff’s office delivers the paperwork, you get a proof-of-service document that you should file with the court.
Final Step: Finalizing the Divorce
Coming to agreement on terms of the divorce serves as the final step in how to file for divorce in Lewistown IL. If both parties mutually agree on division of assets, property, support payments, and child custody issues, this step in the process can go quickly. However, disagreements between the parties can complicate matters a great deal. In that case, you should rely on Brave Law attorneys to represent you and your best interests. They can negotiate on your behalf to get the most desirable terms in your case.
Request a Consultation
Trust Brave Law Center lawyers if you need any assistance with how to file for divorce in Lewistown IL. Our staff can prepare legal documents, advise, and negotiate for you during the divorce process. Give us a call today at 309-228-9254 to discuss your case. If you prefer, you can also contact us online to request a consultation. Our local office is located at 156 North Adams Street in Lewistown IL.
