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How Can I End My Civil Union in Illinois?
Often, when a man and woman fall in love and think they want to spend the rest of their lives together, they get married. However, until recently, this was not a possibility for gay couples. For a long time, they had no option for being legally recognized as a couple. Then, on January 31, 2011, the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Bill was signed into legislation and enacted later that year.
This bill essentially made it legal for same-sex couples to enter into a civil union, which was to be identical to marriage. By June 1, 2014, a bill went into effect that enabled same-sex couples to get legally married. And just as same-sex marriage is legal, so is same-sex divorce. If you have questions about civil union dissolution, speak with a skilled Kane County, IL family law attorney to learn more.
How Does a Civil Union Differ From a Marriage?
A civil union is almost identical to a marriage. It was simply the marriage-like solution that was offered to same-sex couples before gay marriage was legal in Illinois. Civil partners enjoy the same rights and benefits that married couples have, with two major differences:
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You need to be at least 18 years old to enter a civil union, and parental consent does not change this if you are younger. A 16- or 17-year-old with parental consent is legally allowed to get married in Illinois but not to enter into a civil union.
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You can convert a civil union into a marriage, but you can not convert a marriage into a civil union.
How Do You End a Civil Union?
Similar to a divorce that ends a marriage, you can dissolve a civil union. First, you file a Petition for Dissolution of a Civil Union. The petition must be served to your civil partner by a private process server or a sheriff. Once they are notified, the process of dissolution begins.
Similar to a divorce, the amount of time it takes to finalize varies based on the issues that the couple needs to first resolve, including:
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Property division
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Spousal support
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Child support
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Parental rights and responsibilities
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Kane County, IL Civil Union Dissolution Lawyer
If you and your civil partner are ready to end your relationship, speak with an experienced St. Charles, IL family law attorney who can help you navigate the process. A civil union dissolution is just as legally binding as a divorce and can be just as challenging emotionally, too. You do not need to go through this alone. At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we are dedicated to helping advocate for our clients’ rights and interests. Call us at 630-584-5550 to schedule a free consultation and hear about how we can best serve you.
630-584-5550