Can I file for divorce myself?
Full Question:
Answer:
A judgment of dissolution of marriage (i.e., a divorce) may be granted in Illinois on the following grounds:
1. Impotence
2. Bigamy
3. Adultery
4. Desertion for one year
5. Addiction to alcohol/drugs
6. Attempted murder
7. Conviction of felony
8. Infecting other spouse with sexually transmitted disease
9. Living separate and apart for two years where there exists irreconcilable differences.
If the grounds for the dissolution of marriage is based upon living separate and apart for two years with irreconcilable differences, the court must determine that efforts at reconciliation have failed or are impractical and not in the best interests of the family. Furthermore, if the parties have lived separate and apart without cohabitation for at least six months immediately prior to the filing of the petition, the parties may waive the requirement of living separate and apart for two years by filing a stipulation to that effect with the court.
The court may order that one spouse support the other during the pendancy of the divorce action and/or after the divorce has become final. Support awarded pending the final decree of divorce is not to extend beyond the period of time necessary for the prosecution of the divorce action.