Do You Need a Get for a Gay Jewish Divorce? 

 Posted on November 20, 2025 in LGBTQ+ Family Law

If you are ending your same-sex marriage in 2025, and you and your spouse are both Jewish, you may want to honor your religious traditions while you navigate the civil divorce process. One question in particular might come up in this situation: Do you need a get, the traditional Jewish divorce document, if you are an LGBTQ+ Jew getting divorced? 

Having a Chicago LGBTQ+ divorce attorney on your side who understands the issues involved in your marriage and divorce will make all the difference in your experience throughout your case. Call us at 312-489-8638 today to schedule a free consultation and meet our friendly local team.

What Does Illinois Law Say About LGBTQ Divorce?

The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act under 750 ILCS 5/401 governs all divorces in the state and treats all marriages equally regardless of the gender of the spouses.

When gay couples file for divorce in Illinois, they follow the same legal process as any other couple. You file a petition for dissolution of marriage, divide marital property equitably, determine custody and support for any children, and resolve issues of spousal maintenance if applicable.

Do You Need a Get If You Had a Same-Sex Jewish Wedding?

In traditional Jewish law, a husband gives a "get" to his wife to end the marriage religiously. Without a get, Orthodox and Conservative Judaism consider the couple still married even if they have a civil divorce. The get process involves a rabbinical court that oversees the process, and witnesses who observe the giving and receiving of the get.

Reform, Reconstructionist, and many Conservative Jewish congregations fully recognize and perform same-sex marriages. These movements view Jewish law as evolving and responsive to contemporary understanding of human relationships and equality. Rabbis in these denominations perform wedding ceremonies for LGBTQ couples using traditional Jewish liturgy and customs.

If you want to remain active in your Chicago Jewish community, you might choose to have a religious divorce ceremony. Some Reform and Reconstructionist rabbis have created alternative Jewish divorce ceremonies for same-sex couples. These ceremonies honor the end of the marriage spiritually and provide closure in a Jewish context. The documents may not be traditional gets, but they serve similar spiritual functions.

If you had a Conservative Jewish wedding, your situation is more complex. Some Conservative rabbis are developing religious divorce processes for same-sex couples. These processes borrow from traditional get practices but adapt them for marriages between two men or two women.

How Can an LGBTQ-Affirming Attorney Help?

Navigating divorce as an LGBTQ Jew requires understanding both civil law and sensitivity to your unique identity and community concerns. An attorney who is part of your community and understands LGBTQ issues and Jewish traditions can help you think through both the legal and personal aspects of your divorce.

Call a Lakeview, IL LGBTQ Family Law Attorney Today

LGBTQ and Jewish couples face unique questions about religious tradition and community. Our Chicago, IL LGBTQ divorce lawyer understands the intersection of Jewish tradition and LGBTQ identity in family law matters. Fluent in German, Farsi, and French, Attorney Cameron provides welcoming representation that honors who you are while protecting your legal rights throughout the divorce process. Contact Cameron Law Center, LLC at 312-489-8638 to discuss your divorce case.