Divorce cases in Waukegan, Illinois are filed in the Lake County Clerk’s Office at 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085. The Clerk’s Office can be reached by telephone at (847) 377-3380 or by email at CircuitClerk@lakecountyil.gov. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am through 5:00 pm.
The main location is the Waukegan Branch Court. Other locations include Mundelein Branch Court, Park City Branch Court, Round Lake Branch Court and the Juvenile Branch Court. Court holidays are observed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Election Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
A divorce case is commenced by the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage and paying the required court filing fee. Subsequently, the petition is placed with the Lake County Sheriff in Waukegan for service of Summons. There is an automatic status date set by the clerk whereby the court will keep the case on a schedule. Provided that the Sheriff is able to serve the Respondent, the Respondent has thirty days from the date of service to file an appearance, answer the petition or otherwise plead.
The entire case can last anywhere from six months to two years. The time frame will depend upon the parties, their respective attorneys, the willingness of all involved to negotiate in good faith, and importantly, the nature and complexity of the issues involved. I have found that the Judges who sit in Waukegan are knowledgeable with the provision of the Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Further, the Judges are respectful of the Waukegan divorce lawyers who practice before them on a daily basis. The lawyers who appear in the divorce courtrooms can be comfortable knowing that the Judges are fair and reasonable to all divorce lawyers who practice in Waukegan.