How Can I Protect My Illinois Divorce from Public Scrutiny?

 Posted on October 19, 2021 in Divorce

Individuals getting divorced in Illinois are often very private about the intimate details of the divorce process and final judgment. This is especially true of high net worth individuals, who frequently have the added concern that their divorce may be of some interest to the public. Whether a couple has a public profile and wants to keep celebrity reporters out of their business, or a private couple wants to avoid a busybody neighbor with a history of spreading rumors, there are many legitimate reasons for wanting to avoid public exposure after divorce.

Unfortunately, fear of embarrassment is usually not a sufficient reason for sealing divorce records. Understanding how these issues are handled and what your options may be is essential to protecting your privacy during a divorce. 

Can You Seal Divorce Records for Privacy Reasons? 

Illinois law generally works under the assumption that the public’s freedom to access information overrides privacy concerns for individuals regarding public records such as marriage and divorce. This means that anyone can visit the Richard Daley Center in downtown Chicago and look up your public records - and you will never know they did it. 

However, Illinois courts do have the authority to seal records of minors, families, or financial matters if there is a compelling reason. Divorcing couples must file a request to have all or part of their record sealed and the judge has the discretion to approve or deny the request. 

How Can We Keep Details Private Without Sealing Records? 

Marital settlement agreements, which may contain financial details many individuals want to keep private, are usually attached to the judgment of dissolution. Spouses can request that their property settlement agreement, or even parenting agreement, be included in the judgment of dissolution by referencing the settlement only, rather than by providing the settlement information. 

Spouses may also request that people or assets be called by names that are vague enough that a court would know what the names are referring to, but other people reading the documents would not.

Consult with a DuPage County High Net Worth Divorce Lawyer

At Calabrese Associates, P.C., we take your privacy seriously and always hold ourselves to the highest standards when handling every part of your divorce. We have successfully worked with many clients for whom privacy is a concern and will work to earn your confidence. Contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation with one of our experienced Naperville, IL divorce attorneys. Call us at 630-393-3111. 

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+IV&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=3900000&SeqEnd=5400000