What is Involved in the Discovery Process During an Illinois Divorce?

 Posted on September 27, 2021 in Divorce

Divorce cases vary dramatically in complexity. Spouses with few assets who were not married very long may be able to resolve their divorce quickly and with little court intervention. Divorce is much more involved for couples who own high-value or complex assets and spouses who disagree on divorce issues.

One of the most important aspects of the divorce process is financial disclosure. Spouses are expected to list all of their assets and other relevant financial information. When a spouse does not share this information or the information is incomplete or inaccurate, the spouses’ attorneys may use discovery tools to reveal the truth. Discovery often involves financial concerns such as the division of marital property but discovery may also address child-related issues.

Discovery Tools in an Illinois Divorce

Discovery is the “fact-finding” portion of the divorce case. In order to negotiate the unresolved divorce issues, the spouses and their respective attorneys must have a full understanding of the facts of the case. Discovery varies from case to case but, often, discovery involves:

• Request for Production of Documents – Each spouse will be required to submit documents such as tax returns, bank statements, loan documents, and credit card statements.

• Written Interrogatories – Interrogatories are questions that a spouse must answer truthfully. Lying on an interrogatory is considered perjury. These questions may be about the spouse’s income, work history, property, retirement accounts, or any other issue relevant to the divorce case.

• Depositions – A deposition is a formal in-person meeting during which the spouses are asked questions under oath. A court reporter records the statements made during a deposition. Testimony provided at a deposition may be used in later proceedings.

• Subpoenas – Subpoenas are used to obtain information or testimony from third parties. The subpoena may require a party to hand over certain documents or compel a party to appear in court and testify.

Contact a Chicago Divorce Lawyer for Help

If you are getting divorced, you need a strong legal advocate on your side. At The Law Office of George J. Skuros, we help clients understand what to expect during their divorce case and prepare for all possible outcomes. We work to create personalized solutions that meet our client’s unique needs. For help with the division of marital property, child custody disputes, spousal maintenance, child support, and other divorce issues, call knowledgeable Cook County divorce lawyer George J. Skuros . Mr. Skuros has more than three decades of legal experience and is qualified to handle even the most complex divorce cases.

Call 312-884-1222 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=8300000&SeqEnd=10000000