DATE:
Sept 22, 2026
TO:
Visitors of hollyandadam.wedding
FROM:
Adam & Holly
SUBJECT:
OUR NEXT STEPS: DISSOLUTION PROCEDURES

For friends and family wondering what the legal process looks like as we close this chapter and untie the knot here in Cook County, here is the official procedure we are following.

STEP 1: PREPARE REQUIRED FORMS
Drafting the Petition for Dissolution [1]. Because we share the girls, our mandatory paperwork includes a detailed Parenting Plan [2] to ensure they are fully supported, alongside our respective Financial Affidavits [3].
STEP 2: E-FILE & SUBMIT FEES
Paper filing is a thing of the past. Documents are submitted electronically through the Illinois eFileIL System to the appropriate Cook County district courthouse, where statutory filing fees are applied.
STEP 3: VOLUNTARY APPEARANCE
While a standard divorce often involves the Sheriff serving a summons, we are coordinating this transition together. We can utilize a voluntary Entry of Appearance [4] to bypass the formal, adversarial service process entirely.
STEP 4: FINALIZE AGREEMENT
Once the paperwork is officially entered and the statutory waiting period is observed, a judge will review our petition and Parenting Plan to issue the final judgment.
Technical Footnotes (For those navigating this themselves):
  1. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage/Civil Union (Divorce with Children): This is the standardized Illinois pleading document. Under Illinois Code of Civil Procedure Section 1-109, it does not require a formal notary stamp, but must be certified and signed under penalty of perjury.
  2. Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (Parenting Plan): This standardized state form dictates parenting time and decision-making. It does not require formal notarization.
  3. Financial Affidavit (Family & Divorce Cases): Often designated as form DV-A 120.2 or ATJ 251.5, this is a mandatory statewide form. It requires strict certification under penalty of perjury. While Section 1-109 allows you to bypass a notary, some legal practitioners and judges still recommend getting this specific document formally notarized to prevent any disputes regarding its authenticity.
  4. Appearance: Standardized Civil Form (often APP-503 or ATJ suite). It requires a simple signature and does not need to be notarized.

* Guided, automated versions of these forms can be found for free at Illinois Legal Aid Online.

Thank you for your support as our family navigates this transition.