SB1444 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to require agreements between parties to contain only written provisions, eliminating the previous allowance for oral agreements.

• Mandates that any agreement regarding property disposition, maintenance, support, custody, and visitation of children must be signed by both parties.

• Renders agreement terms binding on the court except those concerning child support, custody, and visitation, unless the court finds the agreement unconscionable after reviewing economic circumstances and relevant evidence.

• Allows the court to request a revised agreement or hold a hearing to make orders on property, maintenance, and child support if the agreement is found unconscionable.

• Permits agreement terms to be set forth in the judgment with enforceability through all available remedies including contempt, and allows the agreement to restrict modification of terms except for provisions concerning children's support, custody, or visitation.