Illinois family law
Jewish Divorce Attorney in Chicago
Chicago divorce attorney representing Jewish families in Illinois civil divorce. The firm handles the civil divorce under Illinois law and coordinates timing with the Beth Din where a client is pursuing a religious Get in parallel.
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Practice Focus
- Illinois civil divorce coordinated with Beth Din timing for clients pursuing a Get
- Marital settlement agreement provisions involving ketubah-related terms evaluated as contract terms under 750 ILCS 5/502
- Parenting plans with Shabbat, Yom Tov, and day-school provisions under 750 ILCS 5/602.5 and 5/602.7
- Allocation of religious-school tuition and post-secondary educational expenses under 750 ILCS 5/513
- Coordination with religious counsel where the client is pursuing parallel religious-tribunal proceedings
The civil divorce and the Get are separate proceedings
Illinois courts have no jurisdiction over religious divorce. The Beth Din has no jurisdiction over civil divorce. An Illinois Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage ends the civil marriage; a Get is the religious instrument that ends the marriage under Jewish law. Both are often pursued, and the firm coordinates timing of civil filings, prove-up, and judgment so that they align with the client's religious calendar and Beth Din process where the client chooses to pursue one. The firm represents clients only under Illinois civil law and does not represent clients before a Beth Din.
The ketubah as evidence versus as a contract
Illinois courts will not enforce religious obligations as such. Where parties have included specific civil-enforceable terms in a marital agreement, those terms are evaluated as contracts under Illinois law. A traditional ketubah, standing alone, is a religious document; it can be evidence of intent but is not treated by Illinois courts as a binding civil contract.
Parenting plans and observance
Allocation of parental responsibilities under 750 ILCS 5/602.5 and 5/602.7 is decided on the best-interest factors. Parenting plans frequently include negotiated provisions for Shabbat, Yom Tov, fast days, day-school schedules, and travel during chol hamoed. Religious upbringing is one of the matters parents may allocate as a significant decision-making area. Courts apply the best-interest standard regardless of any party's level of observance.
Religious-school tuition and 750 ILCS 5/513
Day-school tuition is frequently a major recurring family expense. Allocation of religious-school costs is typically negotiated as part of the marital settlement agreement or, where children are non-minor and pursuing post-secondary education, addressed under 750 ILCS 5/513. The statute does not require either parent to pay private-school tuition for a minor child unless the parties agree or the court so orders.
Get-refusal in Illinois
Illinois has no statutory analog to New York's Get Law. An Illinois court cannot directly compel either spouse to participate in a religious Get. Courts may consider the parties' agreements about cooperation in religious proceedings as part of the marital settlement, and refusal to perform agreed-upon civil acts may be addressed through ordinary contract and equitable remedies.
Important Boundaries
religious
The firm represents clients only under Illinois civil law and does not represent clients before a Beth Din or any other religious tribunal. Illinois courts cannot compel either spouse to participate in a religious Get.
immigration
Immigration law is a separate practice area. The firm coordinates with immigration counsel where matters intersect.
language
The firm does not represent itself as providing services in Hebrew or Yiddish. Court-appointed interpreters are available under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 64.
foreign Law
Israeli substantive and procedural law is outside this firm's practice. Where matters involve Israeli property or family-court proceedings, the firm coordinates with Israeli counsel of the client's choosing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Illinois court order my spouse to give me a Get?
Illinois courts generally cannot compel participation in a religious proceeding. Parties sometimes incorporate cooperation provisions into a marital settlement agreement; whether and how such provisions are enforceable as contracts depends on their wording and the facts.
Will the court enforce our ketubah?
A ketubah is a religious document. Illinois courts will not enforce religious obligations as such, but specific civil-enforceable terms incorporated into a marital agreement under 750 ILCS 5/502 are evaluated as contracts under Illinois law.
Can my parenting plan require children be raised observant?
Parties may negotiate religious-upbringing provisions, and courts will generally enforce parties' agreements where they are clear and not contrary to the child's best interest. Disputes over religious upbringing are resolved on best-interest factors under 750 ILCS 5/602.5.
Who pays for day-school tuition after divorce?
There is no statutory requirement for either parent to fund private religious schooling for a minor. Allocation is typically a negotiated term of the marital settlement; post-secondary educational expenses are governed by 750 ILCS 5/513.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. This page is informational and is not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is decided on its own facts under Illinois law.
Jonathan D. Steele is a partner at Beermann LLP. Legal services are provided through Beermann LLP, 161 N. Clark St., Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60601. Licensed in Illinois.
Reviewed by Jonathan D. Steele, Attorney at Law. Last reviewed: 2026-05-18.