DuPage County Attorneys for Civil Union Dissolution Assistance

Civil Union Lawyers Serving Wheaton, Carol Stream And Glen Ellyn

In Illinois and throughout the United States, laws pertaining to marriages and civil unions have evolved in recent years. On June 1, 2011, civil unions became legal in Illinois for partners of the same sex or opposite sex. On June 1, 2014, the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act took effect, and same-sex marriages became legally recognized in Illinois. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage should be legally recognized throughout the United States. It is important for families and individuals to understand how the changes to laws, both at the state and federal levels, may impact their relationships.

At The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., our attorneys are knowledgeable and up-to-date on the shifting legal landscape surrounding civil unions and same-sex marriages, and we can assist you in any related matter.

Civil Union Conversions In Illinois

In the three years between when the Civil Union Act and the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act took effect, many people were joined in civil unions. During the first year of the Illinois Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, those civil unions could be converted to marriages with an application. Alternatively, those who wished to convert a civil union to a marriage could also simply get married.

While the ultimate result would be equal — the end of the civil union and the beginning of the marriage — there could be some legal issues to solve should the marriage be dissolved in the future. Depending on which conversion method was chosen, the effective date of the marriage would be different, which could significantly affect the distribution of marital property as well as alimony/maintenance in the event of a divorce or dissolution.

Dissolution Of Civil Unions In DuPage County

Just as marriages sometimes come to an end, so too do some civil unions. Dissolving a civil union in Illinois is very much like getting a divorce, and it follows the same procedure. The same matters must be negotiated or litigated, including:

• Property division;
• Allocation of parental responsibilities (child custody);
• Parenting time/visitation;
• Child support; and
• Alimony/maintenance.

As long as one of the parties is a resident of the state, the dissolution can be done in Illinois. If both parties move to another state that does not recognize civil unions, obtaining a dissolution can be challenging. Our attorneys can advise you on your legal options and help you end your civil union if you so desire.

For more information on civil unions or civil union dissolutions, contact us at 630-462-9500. We can answer your questions and explain how the law works in Illinois. Our firm is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and we assist clients throughout the northern region of the state, including DuPage, Cook, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties.