Explaining the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce Petition) in Illinois

Описание: Confused by the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Illinois? 👀
I’m Raiford Dalton Palmer, Managing Partner at STG Divorce Law in Chicago and author of the bestseller I Just Want This Done. In this video, I walk you line-by-line through a typical Illinois divorce petition—so you know what it means, what it doesn’t mean, and what happens next.

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In this video, you’ll learn:

Where your case is filed and what the case number/file stamp means

Petitioner vs. Respondent (and why those labels don’t decide your case)

Jurisdiction & residency rules (90-day requirement)

UCCJEA basics (child “home state” & 6-month rule)

What “irreconcilable differences” and “separate and apart” actually mean

Parenting responsibilities vs. “custody,” parenting time, and “residential custodian”

Maintenance (alimony) & child support positioning—what’s real and what’s posturing

Marital vs. non-marital property, equitable distribution, and dissipation

Interim attorney’s fees and how fees are typically handled

The “wherefore”/prayer for relief—what the filing is really asking the court to do

Required verification (your sworn statement) and why it matters

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Legal disclaimer: This video is general information, not legal advice. Laws and facts vary. For advice about your situation, consult an attorney.

Timestamps (Chapters)

00:00 Intro – Who we are & what this covers
00:42 Where the case is filed, case numbers & file stamps
01:35 Petitioner vs. Respondent: what the labels mean
02:28 Residency/jurisdiction (90-day rule)
03:32 Marriage facts & why dates matter (property/maintenance)
04:34 Children, privacy initials, & listing all children
05:22 UCCJEA: the 6-month “home state” rule
06:45 Disclosing other custody cases/orders (required language)
08:10 “Irreconcilable differences” & “separate and apart” explained
10:05 Parenting responsibilities (medical, education, religion, extracurriculars)
11:34 “Residential custodian” today—what it really affects
12:40 Parenting time (what “reasonable” means in pleadings)
13:35 Real vs. personal property; marital vs. non-marital
14:55 Maintenance (alimony) posture vs. reality; formula basics
16:12 Child support setup & temporary orders
17:20 Dissipation—what counts and when it matters
18:10 Interim attorney’s fees & fee contribution
19:05 Debts and allocating obligations
19:42 “Wherefore” clause (the asks)
21:10 Verification: your sworn statement & why it’s required
22:10 Wrap-up & next steps

STG Divorce Law website: www.stglawfirm.com

Links to free divorce educational content and divorce support group: https://linktr.ee/raifordpalmer

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