It’s the holiday season, so it’s time for our annual year-in-review. Here is a look back at the divorce topics we covered throughout 2024 and the lessons that spouses can carry with them into 2025:

Knowing What to Expect During the Divorce Process

We’ll start at the beginning: What can (and should) you expect from the divorce process? From understanding Illinois’s “no-fault” divorce law to ensuring you don’t overlook assets when dividing your marital property, there are several key aspects to making informed decisions as you work toward bringing your marriage to an end. We went back to the basics in Advice from An Illinois Divorce Lawyer, which covers the main aspects of the divorce process under Illinois law.

Is an “Agreed Divorce” Right for You?

While several approaches to ending a marriage exist in Illinois, one that remains popular is pursuing an “agreed divorce.” So, is an agreed divorce right for you?

With an agreed divorce, the spouses work together to settle the terms of their divorce without asking a judge to make decisions for them. They work through their differences out of court; once they are done, they submit their divorce settlement agreement for the judge’s approval. Learn more: Pursuing an Agreed Divorce: What Spouses in Illinois Need to Know.

Pursuing an Agreed Divorce in Illinois

We followed up this article with another one that digs deeper into the agreed divorce process. Specifically, the article focuses on some preliminary steps in pursuing an agreed divorce in Illinois. If you think an agreed divorce might be right for you and your spouse, we encourage you also to read Agreed Divorce: 7 Important Factors to Consider.

Protecting the Assets You Care About the Most

No matter how you approach your divorce, you will need to divide your marital property as part of the process. Neither spouse gets everything; in most cases, neither spouse gets everything they want. In most divorces, conflicting wants will necessitate compromises, and spouses who want to avoid going to court must find a way to come to terms.

So, what if there are specific assets you want to keep? We covered key considerations for protecting what matters most in What If There Are Certain Assets You Want to Keep After Your Divorce in Illinois?

Going Through a Divorce with Children in Illinois

For divorcing parents, the importance of protecting certain assets will pale compared to the importance of maximizing the amount of meaningful time they can spend with their children post-divorce. Custody, or parenting time, is a big issue that requires careful consideration. With this in mind, in 2024, we published three articles focused on child-related aspects of the divorce process:

Do We Both Need a Divorce Lawyer?

Let’s say you and your spouse want to pursue an agreed divorce. You agree on how to divide your significant assets, and you have similar ideas about what will be best for your children. In this scenario, do you both need to hire your own divorce lawyer?
The short answer is “Yes.” While you aren’t legally required to hire your own divorce lawyer (or to hire a lawyer at all), there are several reasons why you and your spouse should both have independent legal representation—regardless of the circumstances of your divorce. To find out why, read: Do We Both Need a Divorce Lawyer?

Beginning the Divorce Process

Regardless of how you approach the divorce process, at a certain point, you will have nothing left but to get started. Taking some critical preparatory steps can help maximize the chances of the process going quickly and smoothly, ensuring you are prepared to make difficult decisions when necessary.

But, while there are some crucial steps you must take, there are some equally essential mistakes you must avoid. To find out what to do (and what not to do) as you start the divorce process in 2025, you can read The “Dos and Don’ts” of Preparing for a Divorce in Illinois.

Making Sure the Divorce Process Doesn’t Take Longer Than Necessary

If you are like most spouses who are contemplating a divorce, one of your main goals is to make sure the process goes as quickly as possible. This is understandable—you don’t want to spend more time dealing with your divorce than necessary, and you are ready to start your new, post-divorce life.

So, how can you make this happen? While the timeline isn’t entirely in your control, there are steps you can take to help streamline the process. For some tips, read How to Get a Fast Divorce: 7 Ways You Can Help.

Should You File for Divorce Before the End of 2024?

Finally, if you are contemplating a divorce during the holiday season, you might wonder: Should I file before the end of the year? Depending on your personal, family, and financial circumstances, there could be both benefits and drawbacks to doing so.

Ultimately, however, you should ensure you are prepared to move forward. If this means that you aren’t ready to file until 2025, that’s fine. Learn more: Should You Get a Divorce Before the End of the Year?

Request a Free Consultation with Gurnee, IL, Divorce Lawyer Deanna J. Bowen

Are you considering filing for divorce in Illinois? If so, we invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are happy to help you make informed and confident decisions about your next steps. To request an appointment with Deanna J. Bowen, a divorce lawyer in Gurnee, IL, please call 847-623-4002 or contact us online today.