Cook County Marriage Annulment Attorney
Most people enter into a marriage with the goal of that union lasting the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, this is often an unrealistic hope. Individuals grow apart and life circumstances change. When this happens, it is wise to contact an experienced North Shore divorce and legal separation attorney.
At the Law Offices of Edward I. Stein, we understand that people change. We have more than 30 years of experience guiding clients through the most emotional and complex matters of family law. Trust us to explain the legal process and any timelines you are facing. We strive to educate clients on their options as well as the costs and benefits of each one, so they can make informed decisions regarding their future.
There are three processes that couples can explore when attempting to change the status of a marriage:
- Divorce: A dissolution of marriage "divorce" ends a legal marriage. There is a lengthy process that must be followed, including both negotiation and mediation as well as court appearances. Issues that might need to be resolved through the divorce proceeding include child custody, child support, spousal support and property division.
- Legal separation: Some couples decide to separate rather than divorce based on religious beliefs or medical need. In a legal separation, parties are still married, but a judgment is entered into regarding spousal support, child support and child custody. If the parties agree, property division can be included in the legal separation contract. One of the main benefits of a legal separation over divorce is that both spouses stay on whatever medical insurance plan was in place during a marriage. In this situation, a spouse with a serious illness or injury does not need to find his or her own medical insurance in addition to the stress of a divorce.
- Annulment: Now called a Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage, as the name would suggest, an annulment effectively erases a marriage. It is, in essence, a declaration of the invalidity of the marriage. In an annulment, the parties agree that it was an invalid marriage from the start based on the familial relationship of the spouses (first cousin or closer) or that one of the spouses was found to be underage or, in certain cases, a fraud has occurred.
A knowledgeable lawyer can explain Illinois laws regarding changing the status of a marriage. Do not hesitate to schedule a consultation with an attorney at our firm.
Contact Our Firm
If you have questions regarding divorce, legal separation or annulment, contact the Law Offices of Edward I. Stein to schedule a consultation. In addition to our main office in Northbrook, we maintain offices in Deerfield, Skokie and Chicago for use by appointment. Call us at 847-480-9090 or contact us via this website.