Divorce is rarely simple, but what happens when your spouse vanishes—no texts, no forwarding address, not even a social media post to track him or her down? For some, the end of a marriage does not come with closure, but instead with unanswered questions and a missing partner. Whether your spouse intentionally disappeared or simply drifted out of contact, you might feel trapped in a legal limbo.
The good news is that Illinois law does not require you to remain married just because your spouse cannot be found. If you are ready to move forward but do not know where your spouse is, a skilled Illinois family law attorney can help you explore legal alternatives and guide you through the process.
What Happens If My Spouse Cannot Be Located?
In Illinois, a person can still file for divorce even if his or her spouse is missing. Normally, both spouses must be notified of the divorce proceedings through a legal procedure called “service of process”. However, when a spouse cannot be found after a diligent search, the court may allow a different method known as “service by publication”.