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posted on 11/20/20

A married couple in their 50s thought their lives were moving along nicely. They both made advances in their professional lives and were enjoying their financial freedom, despite working incredibly long hours and not spending nearly enough time together. However, when Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker ordered a shutdown, they both were required to begin working from home.

The wife began to notice her husband sneaking off during the day to take phone calls outside or in another room. He claimed he needed to take confidential calls for work. Her suspicions increased, and she eventually hired a private detective to follow the husband whenever he left the house. Sure enough, she discovered that he was having an affair. She is now navigating the divorce process during the coronavirus pandemic. This woman is not alone; we have seen an increase in Illinois divorces due to the pressure on couples who are sheltering in place together.

Using Zoom During Divorce Hearings

Many of our clients are concerned that the divorce process will be slowed down because so many Illinois courts are not currently open to the public. We assure our clients that even though the process will look different during the coronavirus pandemic, they will still be able to finalize their divorces. The first step of the process is to file a petition for divorce through the court system online. Next, the judge will decide whether he or she will conduct depositions and your court proceeding virtually using the Zoom application.

When the judge presiding over your case decides to hold a Zoom hearing, your divorce lawyer will instruct you on when and where to appear. Typically, you will need to go to your lawyer’s office, and you will conduct the zoom hearing from there. Many of our clients enjoy some aspects of virtual hearings. For example, they do not have to look for and pay for parking in Chicago. They also do not have to be in the same room with their soon-to-be ex-spouse, which can be a positive aspect for many clients.

There are some downsides to remote divorce proceedings, however. During a zoom conference, everyone is in a separate location, but they are virtually together. Everyone can hear and see the entire proceeding, which can lead to a privacy loss. On the other hand, many of our clients have expressed relief at the convenience of getting divorced virtually. While using Zoom to get divorced may seem strange, it is quickly becoming the new normal. With Illinois experiencing another surge in new coronavirus cases, courts will likely continue to stay close to the public and require Zoom hearings for non-emergency matters.

Contact a Skilled Divorce Lawyer Today

Have you decided that it is time to get divorced and move on with your new life? The divorce lawyers at Glasgow & Olsson are here to help. When you need an attorney, experience matters. We do not provide a free consultation because we view your initial consultation as the most important meeting you will have regarding your divorce. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.