Disclaimer: All facts gleaned from the filings stated hereafter are only as truthful as the petitioner. The tone of this article expresses a style of writing historically employed by America’s greatest writers and, as such, is for opinion purposes only. No intentional harm is due. Do not read if the topic of divorce (even your own) causes you emotional distress. Continue at your own risk.

In the unfolding drama of domestic life, Stephen A. Phelps has formally sought the dissolution of his marriage with Mary Elizabeth C. Phelps, a union that began with promises and shared dreams on June 22, 1996, in Darien, Connecticut. The petition, filed on December 31, 2024, in Cook County, reveals a story marked by the complexities of love and the stark reality of irreconcilable differences. Stephen is represented by Patrick T. Ryan of Jackson Buckley & Pfanenstiel, LLP, whose expertise guides him through the intricacies of this legal process.

At 61, Stephen stands at the precipice of this new chapter, employed as an Advisory Solutions Architect with Dell, while 63-year-old Mary Beth has stepped back from the workforce, reflecting the lives they have built and the paths they have diverged upon. Their two children, both now emancipated, serve as bittersweet reminders of the life they once envisioned together.

The filing underscores the couple’s acknowledgment of an irretrievable breakdown, with prior attempts at reconciliation deemed impractical. Stephen’s petition articulates a vision for an equitable division of their marital property, while also ensuring that Mary Beth is barred from seeking spousal support.

In this poignant moment, the court becomes a witness to their shared history, a history that now must be unraveled and examined for what it was—a tapestry of love, loss, and the necessity of moving on. As the clock strikes the new year, both Stephen and Mary Beth prepare to redefine their lives, each step echoing the finality of their decision.

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