Information Regarding Grounds From an Experienced Naperville No-Fault Divorce Attorney
For decades, Illinois was "fault state" regarding a divorce. As a fault state, Illinois required parties seeking a divorce to claim grounds, i.e., assign blame. These grounds were:
- Impotency
- Polygamy
- Adultery
- Desertion/abandonment
- Habitual drunkenness
- "Gross and confirmed habits" brought about by malice, drug use, attempted murder or other felony conviction, or the infection of the other spouse with sexually transmitted disease
- Attempted murder of the other spouse
- Extreme and repeated mental/physical cruelty
- Conviction of a felony
- Infection involving a sexual disease
- Excessive use of addictive drugs
While litigants still have the right to pursue a divorce by proving one of the above "grounds," Illinois has added a modified no-fault ground for obtaining a divorce.
What Is a Modified No-Fault Ground for a Divorce in Illinois?
"No-fault" divorce means a spouse no longer needs to blame the other spouse when seeking a divorce. A "modified" no-fault divorce means that the spouse still needs to be separated in order to pursue a no-fault divorce. Please refer to the requirement section of our No-Fault Divorce page for details regarding separation requirements.
What These Changes Mean
Because Illinois is now a modified no-fault divorce state, married couples can now divorce efficiently and affordably and without acrimony.
I am Aurora lawyer Matthew M. Williams of the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., and I can provide needed information and representation regarding the divorce process, as well as child custody, alimony, child support and other divorce-related matters. For more information, please call 630-409-1261 or simply contact me online to schedule a consultation.
