Attorneys at law

Latest Changes To Illinois Laws

As of January 1, 2016, the terms “custody” and “visitation” has been eliminated from the new Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (“IMDMA”).  They have been replaced instead by “allocation of parental responsibility” and “parenting time.”  

Illinois law now requires parents to present a “parenting plan” within 120 days from the filing of the petition for dissolution of marriage.  If the parties can agree, they submit a single parenting plan.  If they cannot agree, they must submit separate plans.   

Also under the new law, the grounds for getting a divorce have changed.  Parties seeking a divorce no longer can cite grounds such as adultery, mental anguish, impotence, habitual drunkenness and other "fault" grounds.  Now, the only ground for dissolving a marriage is irreconcilable differences.

There are also changes to the waiting period for a divorce.  Under the previous law, parties who cite irreconcilable differences had to prove they lived separate and apart from their spouse for two years.  Now, married couples only need to live separate and apart for six months.

To learn more about specific changes to Illinois law and how it may affect your situation, contact Cartwright Law today.