Family & Safety

In Illinois, a divorce is called a “dissolution of marriage.” This process ends a marriage or civil union. The steps and forms involved can differ depending on whether there are children in the marriage.

To be considered a divorce without children, the spouses:

• Do not have biological or adopted children together under the age of 18;
• Are not pregnant; or
• Only have children together who are over the age of 18 and do not need financial support to attend school or due to a disability.

Some spouses may qualify for a simpler and faster divorce process called a “joint simplified divorce.”

Learn more about getting a divorce without children.