Self-explanatory and as easy to complete as possible. Forms: Joint Affidavit Regarding Separation of the Parties, Division of Property and Waiver of Bifurcated Hearing. Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage With all three forms, you should either type the necessary information or neatly print the information in black ink. Fill out all forms completely. Your Circuit Clerk will insert the number ("No.") on the Affidavit, Petition and Judgment. Even though this is a "Joint" petition, one of the parties must be designated as a "Plaintiff" and the other must be designated as a "Defendant". Traditionally, the Party seeking the dissolution is the plaintiff. The "Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage"and the "Joint Affidavit Regarding Separation of the Parties, Division of Property and Waiver of Bifurcated Hearing" must be signed in front of a Notary Public. You should file a copy of your written agreement dividing marital assets, debts and liabilities at the time you file the petition. JOINT SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE INFORMATION The "Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage" need not be signed in front of a Notary, but should be completed and signed by both parties (below the words "Approved as to Form and Content") before your hearing. The Judge will complete the "Entered line and sign the Judgment if the dissolution is granted. AND INSTRUCTIONS If the wife wishes to return to her maiden or former name, you should complete paragraphs 11 and C of the Petition and paragraphs 11 and D of the Judgment. In addition to these three forms, the Circuit Clerk will give you a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage which you must complete. Other than providing this brochure and these forms, Circuit Clerks are prohibited by law from giving any legal advice. American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com PROVIDED BY THE KANE COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK REVIEWED AND EDITED BY KANE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION This brochure is being provided to you along with the necessary forms for filing a joint simplified petition for dissolution of marriage. This type of dissolution procedure is not available to everyone - there are limitations on, among other items, the length of the marriage, the amount of property owned and income of the parties. You should read this brochure carefully to see if this procedure is available to you. This brochure also includes general information on dissolutions of marriages and instructions for completing the forms. of your marriage. All efforts at reconciliation of the differences have failed and future attempts at reconciliation would not be in the best interest of you and your spouse. = You and your spouse must have lived separate and apart for at least six months and you must be willing to waive the requirement for a two year separation before obtaining a dissolution on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. = You must have been married less than eight (8) years and either you or your spouse (or both) must have lived in the State of Illinois for at least ninety (90) days immediately prior to filing for the dissolution. = No children were born to or adopted by you or your spouse during your relationship and the wife is not now pregnant. = Your combined annual gross income from all sources must be less than $35,000.00 and neither of you may have a gross annual income from all sources in excess of $20,000.00. The total value of marital property you and your spouse own, less encumbrances (amount owed on property, such as the amount owed on a car loan), must be less than $10,000.00. Neither you nor your spouse may own any real estate. General Information Concerning Dissolution of Marriages A dissolution of marriage (commonly referred to as a divorce) is a serious legal step which should not be taken without considerable thought. If you are considering such a proceeding, you should note the following: = It is in the best interests of each of the parties to consult attorneys regarding the dissolution of their marriage. The services of attorneys may be obtained. = You should not rely exclusively on this brochure. This brochure is intended only as a guide for self-representation. = Marriage counseling services are available to you in your community. = = If you use this joint simplified proceeding you will lose any right you may have to maintenance (commonly known as alimony). Once = you lose the right to maintenance in a legal proceeding, you can never again obtain maintenance from your former spouse. = = A judgment of dissolution of marriage (divorce) permanently settles all financial rights arising out of your marriage, including the right to property held in the name of your spouse and the right of support from your spouse. A judgment entered in a dissolution proceeding is final. You will have no right to appeal. Such a judgment may only be set aside on grounds of fraud, duress, accident, mistake, or other grounds or law or in equity. You and your spouse remain married and can not remarry until a judgment dissolving your marriage is signed by the Judge. Who May Use the Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage To use the Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage procedure, the following must apply to you and your spouse. = Irreconcilable differences have caused the irretrievable breakdown You and your spouse each must be willing to permanently give up any right to maintenance (alimony). You and your spouse must have disclosed to each other all assets each of you have, and disclosed all tax returns filed during your marriage. = You and your spouse must sign a written agreement dividing between yourselves all marital assets worth more than $100.00 and dividing responsibility for all debts and liabilities. You must divide the property and sign and exchange all documents (such as automobile titles, etc.) necessary to carry out the agreement before any court hearing. = You and your spouse must waive any right you may have to a bifurcated hearing on your dissolution petition (a hearing held in two parts, one to decide the issues related to granting the dissolution and another to decide any property or other issues). INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE FORMS There are three forms which must be completed for obtaining a joint simplified dissolution of marriage. All of these forms have been drafted to be American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY, ILLINOIS Case No. Plaintiff/Petitioner Defendant/Respondent File Stamp JOINT PETITION FOR SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE Now come plaintiff, (Type or Print Plaintiff's Name) , without counsel, and defendant, , (Type or Print Defendant's Name) without counsel, and hereby petition this Honorable Court for a dissolution of the marriage between Plaintiff and Defendant. In support of this petition for dissolution of marriage, the parties state as follows: 1. The Plaintiff is presently , Illinois; Plaintiff resides at and has , years of age; Plaintiff's occupation is (Street Address) (City, State, Zip) has not resided in the Sate of Illinois for at least ninety (90) days immediately preceding the filing of this Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 2. The Defendant is presently , years of age; Defendant's occupation is Plaintiff resides at (Street Address) and has , Illinois; (City, State, Zip) has not resided in the Sate of Illinois for at least ninety (90) days immediately preceding the filing of this Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. 3. The Plaintiff and Defendant have been married for less than eight (8) years prior to the filing of this petition; they were married on (Date) County, ; and the marriage was registered in (County) . (State) 4. No children were born to the Plaintiff and Defendant during their relationship; no children were adopted by the parties; and , to her knowledge, is not pregnant. (type or print Wife's Name) 5. The parties have lived separate and apart for a continuous period in excess of six (6) months and irreconcilable differences have caused the irretrievable breakdown of their marriage; efforts at reconciliation have failed and future attemps at reconciliation would be impracticable and not in the best interests of the parties. The Parties have signed an affidavit waiving the requirement for a continuous period living separate and apart in excess of two (2) . years. The parties have lived separate and apart since (Date) Page 1 of 3 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com Case No. JOINT PETITION FOR SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (CONT.) 6. Neither party is dependent on the other party for spousal support (also known as alimony or maintenance), or eac party is willing to waive the right to spousal support. Both parties understand that consulting with attorneys may help determine eligibility for spousal support. Both Plaintiff and Defendant waive any rights to maintenance. 7. Neither Plaintiff nor Defendant has any interest in real property (real estate) 8. The parties have disclosed to each other all assets and their tax returns for all years of the marriage. 9. Neither party has a gross annualized income in excess of $20,000; the Plaintiff's gross annual income from all sources is $ ; ; the Defendants's gross annual income from all sources is $ and the total annual income of the parties is less than $35,000.00. 10. The total fair market value of all marital property, after deducting all encumbrances, is less than $10,000.00 and the parties have executed a written agreement dividing all assets in excess of $100.00 in value and allocating responsibility for debts and liabilities between the parties. A copy of the written agreement, signed by both parties, is filed with this petition. 11. (Optional) 's former/maiden name was (Type or Print Wife's Name) (Type or Print Wife's maiden OR Former Name) . WHEREFORE, the parties pray as follows: A. That the parties be awarded a Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage dissolving the bonds of matrimony existing between them. B. That the written agreement of the parties dividing marital assets, debts and liabilities, a copy of which is filed with this petition, be incorporated into the final order and. judgment of this Court granting the petition for dissolution of marriage. C. (Optional) That (Type or Print Wife's Name) be restored to her former/maiden name, (Type or Print Wife's maiden OR Former Name) D. That this Court grant the parties such other and further relief as may be just. (Plaintiff's Signature) (Defendant's Signature) Plaintiff Defendant Page 2 of 3 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com Case No. JOINT PETITION FOR SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (CONT.) VERIFICATION STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF (Type or Print Plaintiff's Name) ) ) SS ) , Plaintiff, being first duly sworn upon oath, depose and say that I have read the foregoing Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, understand the contents thereof, and believe the same to be true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. (Plaintiff's Signature) Plaintiff Subscribed and sworn to before me, a Notary Public, on (Date) . NOTARY PUBLIC STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF (Type or Print Defendant's Name) ) ) SS ) , Defendant, being first duly sworn upon oath, depose and say that I have read the foregoing Joint Petition for Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, understand the contents thereof, and believe the same to be true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. (Defendant's Signature) Defendant Subscribed and sworn to before me, a Notary Public, on (Date) . NOTARY PUBLIC Page 3 of 3 American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com