Illinois family law
Polish Divorce Attorney in Chicago
Chicago divorce attorney representing Polish and Polish-American families in Illinois family-law matters. Practice focus includes real estate and pension interests in Poland, transnational custody under the Hague Abduction Convention, sworn translation of Polish documents, and coordination with Polish counsel.
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Practice Focus
- Worldwide marital assets under 750 ILCS 5/503, including real estate and bank accounts in Poland
- ZUS, OFE, and IKE/IKZE retirement interests in valuation and allocation
- Transnational custody and Hague Abduction Convention proceedings because Poland is a contracting state
- Sworn translation of Polish documents for Illinois court use
- Coordination with Polish counsel for enforcement of Illinois orders abroad
- Roman Catholic annulment proceedings handled separately by diocesan tribunals
Worldwide marital assets, including property in Poland
Illinois is an equitable-distribution state under 750 ILCS 5/503. Real estate in Poland, Polish bank accounts, and shares of Polish companies are within the Illinois court's reach for division purposes when the residency requirement of 750 ILCS 5/401 is met. Enforcement of an Illinois judgment in Poland is a separate matter governed by Polish civil procedure and Hague enforcement instruments; Polish counsel is typically engaged for the enforcement step.
Polish retirement systems: ZUS, OFE, IKE, and IKZE
Polish social-security entitlements, second-pillar accounts, and individual retirement accounts held by either spouse are considered alongside U.S. retirement assets when allocating the marital estate under 750 ILCS 5/503. Valuation typically requires statements obtained directly from the Polish institution and English translations suitable for Illinois court use.
Transnational custody and the Hague Convention
Poland is a contracting state to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Cases involving travel to or potential retention of children in Poland are subject to Hague procedure in addition to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Allocation of parental responsibilities under 750 ILCS 5/602.5 and 5/602.7 is decided on Illinois best-interest factors, not on national-origin considerations.
Religious annulment and civil divorce are separate
Some Polish-American families pursue Roman Catholic annulment through a diocesan tribunal in parallel with a civil divorce. The religious process has no civil effect in Illinois; the civil divorce is the only proceeding that ends the marriage as a legal matter. The firm represents clients only under Illinois civil law and does not represent parties before religious tribunals.
Important Boundaries
immigration
Immigration law is a separate practice area. The firm coordinates with immigration counsel where matters intersect but does not provide immigration legal advice.
religious
Illinois civil courts decide divorce, custody, and property division under Illinois law only. Religious annulment through a Roman Catholic diocesan tribunal has no civil effect in Illinois. The firm represents clients only under Illinois civil law.
language
The firm does not represent itself as providing services in Polish. Court-appointed interpreters are available under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 64; private interpreters and sworn translators can be coordinated.
foreign Law
Polish substantive and procedural law is outside this firm's practice. Where Polish enforcement, succession, or property-law questions arise, the firm coordinates with Polish counsel of the client's choosing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Illinois courts divide an apartment my spouse owns in Poland?
Illinois courts can include the apartment in the marital estate for purposes of allocation under 750 ILCS 5/503. Whether a U.S. divorce decree is enforced against Polish-titled property is governed by Polish law and typically requires Polish counsel.
My spouse and I were married in a Polish church. Do I need a Polish divorce?
If a civil marriage was registered, an Illinois divorce ends the civil marriage. A separate Roman Catholic annulment is a religious matter handled by a diocesan tribunal and has no civil effect in Illinois.
Do I need a sworn translator for my Polish documents?
Most Illinois courts require English translations of foreign-language documents. For Polish documents, the firm can coordinate translation through appropriate providers.
What if my spouse takes our children to Poland?
Poland is a Hague Convention contracting state. A Hague return petition may be available in addition to motions under 750 ILCS 5/501 and 5/603.10. Time is critical because these cases turn on the date of wrongful retention.
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.