COVID-19 and Divorce: What Are Your Options?
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it numerous difficulties and uncertainties that many individuals have never before experienced. As couples and families across the country adjust to life during quarantine and local regulations, many are facing additional difficulties within their marriage. For some relationships, the increased time spent at home together during quarantine is bringing issues to light that may have been unacknowledged or unobserved in the past. If during COVID-19 a divorce seems imminent, how should individuals in the Chicago and Oak Park area approach the process?
At Conniff & Keleher, LLC, our team remains dedicated to providing you with expert legal advice and professional representation. Learn how we can help you navigate Coronavirus and divorce in a safe, remote manner and gain some insight as to how the overall divorce process may differ during quarantine, below.
Coronavirus and Divorce: Seeking Consultation
The way in which you can seek consultation for a divorce during COVID-19 will depend on whether shelter-in-place orders are in effect. Most businesses, including family law practices, remain temporarily closed during shelter-in-place, so you would likely not have the option to meet with an attorney in-person for a consultation. When shelter-in-place orders are lifted in your county and you are able to meet in-person, you can continue to help stop the spread of Coronavirus by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing during your consultation.
What about areas where shelter-in-place orders are still in effect? Many practices — including Conniff & Keleher, LLC — offer alternative methods of remote communication. Individuals in the Chicago and Oak Park area can contact us online to start a conversation today.
Coronavirus and Divorce: Process Changes to Anticipate
Divorce can be a complicated and time-consuming process as it is, especially when it comes to litigation. As the COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily reduced court system resources, you can likely anticipate further delays if you are filing for a divorce now or in the near future. Currently, Illinois courts are closed for in-person divorce hearings. However, for emergencies involving domestic violence and other such dire situations that require immediate attention, Illinois judges are working hard to hold hearings through Zoom conferencing. Also, parties looking to get divorced during the COVID-19 can do so through Zoom conferencing. For further information and future updates regarding the operation of Illinois courts during COVID-19, visit the official Illinois Courts COVID-19 web page.
Is There a Correlation Between Coronavirus and the Divorce Rate?
By now, most of us have probably heard about a Coronavirus divorce surge. You may wonder, is there really a Coronavirus divorce rate to consider? Most sources show that there has, in fact, been a surge in divorce filings as states and counties across the country begin to ease stay-at-home orders. This could certainly contribute to delays in the divorce process.
For More Information, Reach Out to Conniff & Keleher, LLC
If you would like additional information about filing for divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic or if you require immediate legal assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Conniff & Keleher, LLC. Our attorneys are here to advocate for you and provide the family law services you need. During uncertain times, we are proud to apply our core values of Compassion, Excellence, and Discretion to every family we work with.