Every car has a story about where it has been and what it has been through. For some of us, our car’s story is one of collision and repairs. Vitale Collision Repair is dedicated to providing a quality “after-collision” experience for their customers. It is their mission to restore cars to pre-collision condition, while providing the most friendly and helpful customer experience possible. Their customers are their priority. For some people, a car that has been in a collision can be a metaphor for their lives. Each day, within the walls of either their home or workplace, bruises appear that may require immediate attention to “repair” the situation. Sometimes, our lives become so damaged, it may seem easier to destroy them, leaving little hope for a successful future. Ending relationships, as in marriages, can feel like a collision. While the vehicle (your family) may not be destroyed, it may be damaged to the extent that the repair process begins. If you find yourself asking how to navigate a legal separation, you are not alone. In the State of Illinois, a legal separation is similar to getting a divorce, but the difference is that you remain married in the eyes of the law. A separation allows you to remain married to your spouse while filing a petition with the court to divide any assets you have acquired together. The first step in filing for legal separation is to file a petition for legal separation with the circuit court located in the Illinois county where you live. You will need to take an oath before filing to verify that you have lived in Illinois for at least the past 90 days and provide notarized signatures for three witnesses. If your spouse lives in another state, you will need to have your spouse sign the petition and return it to you. You also need to provide notification of the petition for separate maintenance. A legal notice must be placed in a newspaper for three weeks notifying the public that a legal separation petition has been filed. After filing for legal separation in Illinois, you will be issued a hearing date and will be notified of any required mediation sessions. The petitioner must attend the hearing scheduled with the circuit court to determine a final order of legal separation. The court may require a temporary (pendente lite) arrangement that provides for an equitable division of accounts, maintain accounts for the other party, and temporary maintenance. Support orders are created to protect both parties from potential financial difficulties during the legal separation. When you understand the laws in your area, such as here in the State of Illinois, you may be able to go through the ‘repair process’ while maintaining control over your emotions. Much like your car can suffer a fender bender several times and still move along the same path, with close examination, the automotive expert can make the necessary adjustments to keep moving forward along the desired route. A legal separation allows you and your spouse some time apart to regroup and determine if you want to file for divorce. Much like a car crash, a separation will allow you to address some of the areas of your life that may have been damaged to the point of needing repair. However, a separation will not guarantee that the outcome will be the restoration of your relationship. Much like an auto-body shop, working with qualified personnel is a key to a successful outcome.
Vitale Collision Repair & Auto Painting
Serving Southeast Michigan for over 35 years