blog home Divorce Why Celebrity Divorces Are Often Filed in Private: Can You Seal Yours in Illinois?

Why Celebrity Divorces Are Often Filed in Private: Can You Seal Yours in Illinois?

By Nottage and Ward on April 22, 2025

From Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen to Bill and Melinda Gates, high-profile divorces often make headlines—but not always with the level of personal exposure you’d expect. That’s because many celebrity divorces are usually filed privately or have aspects of their records sealed from public view. This isn’t just about fame. It’s about public record protection, financial security, and emotional peace of mind.

But what if you’re not a celebrity? Can executives, business owners, professionals, or even private individuals keep their own divorce details confidential? In many cases, the answer is yes. But the process requires legal precision, and the court won’t grant confidentiality automatically.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, our experienced divorce lawyers guide clients through the process of confidential divorce filings and explore the best legal avenues to protect what matters most—your privacy.

Why Privacy Matters in Divorce

Divorce doesn’t just split households. It often exposes deeply personal information, including:

• Net worth and financial holdings
• Business valuations
• Allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting plans
• Health or addiction issues
• Personal correspondence or conduct

In Illinois, a divorce filing is typically public record, which means that anyone from an employer to a journalist to even a nosy neighbor can request access to your court documents. For many professionals and high-income individuals, that’s uncomfortable and risky.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, many of our clients work in law, finance, medicine, or business leadership. Some are public figures. Others simply want to shield their families or businesses from unnecessary scrutiny. Whatever the motivation, we approach privacy in divorce as a strategic legal objective rather than a luxury.

How to Seal Divorce Records in Illinois

Illinois law generally favors transparency in court proceedings. However, there are legal mechanisms available to limit what the public can see.

To seal divorce records in Illinois, your attorney must file a motion with the court requesting that all or part of the divorce file be sealed. This is known as a motion to seal court documents and must demonstrate that:

• There is a compelling interest in protecting privacy, safety, or confidentiality
• The public’s interest in access is outweighed by the potential harm of disclosure
• The scope of the sealing request is narrowly tailored, not a blanket attempt to hide everything

Commonly sealed elements include:

• Financial affidavits
• Business records or tax returns
• Medical or psychological evaluations
• Child evaluations for the allocation of parental responsibilities
• Sensitive settlement agreements

Illinois courts may grant full or partial sealing depending on the nature of the content and the rationale presented.

Private Divorce Filing—Is It Possible?

While private divorce filing in the sense of keeping your name off the docket is not possible for most people, there are methods to keep divorce proceedings as discreet as possible.

Options to enhance confidentiality include:

• Filing under initials or pseudonyms (rare and only granted under special circumstances, such as threats to safety)
• Using mediation or collaborative divorce to settle outside of court
• Entering a confidentiality agreement between spouses to prevent public disclosure of settlement terms
• Filing a motion to seal the settlement agreement or parenting plan

Courts will generally permit a higher degree of confidentiality when both parties agree and when disclosure could damage business interests, professional reputation, or child welfare.

Can Just Anyone Seal Their Divorce Records?

Not every case qualifies for full sealing, but many cases can be partially sealed to protect specific details. Courts are more likely to approve sealing requests in cases involving:

• High-net-worth individuals
• Business owners or professional practice holders
• Celebrity or media attention
• Sensitive issues related to child safety or the allocation of parental responsibilities
• Allegations involving addiction, abuse, or mental health

Even if you don’t meet these criteria, a knowledgeable divorce attorney can often help you build a strong case for confidentiality based on your personal or professional risks.

Sealing Settlement Agreements and Documents for the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Perhaps the most sensitive part of any divorce—especially in high-income or high-conflict cases—is the settlement agreement or parenting plan.

These documents often detail:

• Spousal maintenance or child support arrangements
• Division of marital property or investment accounts
• Ownership of intellectual property or family businesses
• Future parenting time schedules and dispute resolution processes

If made public, these terms can have financial consequences for business dealings or emotional impacts on children.

By requesting that specific documents be filed under seal, we help clients preserve privacy without impeding court access to necessary records.

Why Public Record Protection Is a Smart Legal Strategy

You don’t have to be a household name to deserve privacy. In fact, many professionals are more vulnerable to reputational damage than celebrities precisely because their networks are smaller and more sensitive to perception.

A sealed record or confidential divorce strategy can help protect:

• Business negotiations
• Client relationships
• Licensing or board review concerns
• Job candidacy or promotion opportunities
• Family harmony during and after divorce

The cost of not protecting your privacy may go far beyond embarrassment. It can directly impact your future income and personal well-being.

The Role of Your Attorney in Maintaining Discretion

The success of a sealing request depends heavily on how it’s framed and the strength of your legal argument. At Nottage and Ward, LLP, our experienced lawyers bring over 35 years of experience to every high-stake divorce we handle.

Our approach includes:

• Crafting targeted motions to seal only what’s necessary, increasing approval odds
• Helping clients choose between litigation, mediation, or collaborative divorce to maximize privacy
• Coordinating with opposing counsel to negotiate confidentiality agreements
• Preparing clients for what is and is not sealable under Illinois law

Speak with a Chicago Divorce Attorney About Confidential Filing

If you’re considering divorce and concerned about your privacy, financial disclosures, or reputation, now is the time to speak with an experienced attorney. The earlier you plan for confidential divorce filing and record protection, the better we can shield your sensitive information.

Nottage and Ward, LLP, is a credible law firm that’s listed by Martindale-Hubbell in its Bar Register of Pre-eminent Lawyers. Our Chicago high-profile divorce attorneys have helped high-net-worth and professional clients across Chicago maintain dignity and discretion during divorce.

We understand how important privacy is—not just for public figures but for every individual navigating this deeply personal process. Call us today at (312) 332-2915 to schedule a confidential consultation.