how much does it cost to file for divorce in illinois without a lawyer

Full Answer

How much does an Illinois divorce lawyer cost?

Average total costs for Illinois divorce lawyers are $11,000 to $14,000 but typically are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. If you’re facing an Illinois divorce, you no doubt have many concerns, including what will happen to your children, house, and other property.

How do I file for divorce in Illinois without an attorney?

For $159, MyDivorcePapers.com offers a simplified divorce process to help you file for divorce in Illinois without an attorney. This comprehensive service allows your to start and complete your divorce papers within a few hours and as quick as 1 hour.

How much does it cost to file for a divorce?

Couples who race toward the divorce finish line must begin their journey by filing for a divorce. The simple but necessary act of filing itself costs a few hundred dollars. Under certain circumstances, like when individuals have insufficient income to pay the divorce filing costs, the fee may be waived.

How does the divorce process work in Illinois?

The divorce process in Illinois begins with the filing of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This legal form notifies the courts that you wish to divorce your spouse.

How much does it cost to file divorce papers in Illinois?

Divorce filing fees in Illinois can range from about $210 to $388.

Can I file for divorce on my own in Illinois?

But you can file for a divorce by yourself. The process is not very complicated if you and your spouse agree on the terms of your divorce, including how your property will be divided. It may be best to speak to an Illinois divorce attorney, however, if your divorce is more complicated.

What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Illinois?

An uncontested divorce in Illinois is relatively cheap because it is agreed – meaning there is no fighting in court. Below is a basic explanation of the process: Meeting with a divorce lawyer: As your divorce lawyer, I will interview you and determine the relevant information. Meeting in person is often not necessary.

How much is an uncontested divorce in Illinois?

In Illinois, it costs approximately $350 to file for divorce, depending on the county in which you are filing. You can visit your local court website to find the exact amount you will be required to pay.

How do I get a free divorce in Illinois?

If you can't afford to pay the filing fees, you can ask the judge to waive the fees. You can request a fee waiver by filing an Application for Waiver of Court Fees. Illinois Legal Aid Online has an online program to help you prepare a fee waiver.

What is the fastest way to get a divorce in Illinois?

The fastest way to get a divorce in Illinois is to get an uncontested divorce. This requires that you and your spouse agree on all issues. If you can get your spouse to sign an Entry of Appearance, Waiver and Consent form (Form-540-Entry-of-Appearance-Waiver-and-Consent.

How long does Illinois divorce take?

In Illinois, there is no mandatory waiting period for an uncontested divorce as long as you meet the residency requirements. A contested divorce usually has a waiting period of six months. Overall, finalizing a divorce in Illinois can take anywhere between 2 months and a year.

How long do you have to be separated in Illinois to get a divorce?

six monthsYou must be separated from your spouse for six months in order to file for divorce in Illinois.

How much does the average divorce cost in Illinois?

On average, the cost to divorce in Illinois is $13,800. Include child custody and support, alimony, and property division into the mix, and financing a divorce sharply climbs to an average of $35,300.

Can you file for divorce online in Illinois?

Once you're ready to start the divorce process, you can find Illinois uncontested divorce forms online, through Illinois Legal Aid, or through your local courthouse.

Can I get divorced without a lawyer?

Yes, it is possible to file your own divorce and complete the process without the aid of an attorney.

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing the papers?

Overview: It is not necessary that both the spouses have to agree to file for a divorce. One of them may file for a divorce without the others' consent if they are sure that they have strong grounds for breakdown of the marriage.

What are the Costs Involved With Divorce in Illinois?

Even if you and your ex-spouse mutually agree to end your marriage based on irreconcilable differences, unavoidable fees make up part of the average divorce cost in Illinois.

Other Factors That Affect the Cost of Divorce in Illinois

Multiple factors significantly increase the divorce cost in Illinois. Determining whether these factors may come into play in your dissolution process may prepare you for potential costs to consider.

What are the Grounds for Divorce in Illinois?

The type of divorce you pursue can affect the divorce cost in Illinois. The degree to which you are able to cooperate with your spouse will help determine how much a divorce costs in Illinois.

How Can Vantage Group Legal Help You?

Vantage Group Legal understands the stress and emotions associated with divorce. We help clients find the best divorce attorney for them! Call our office to discuss your case either in person or virtually with one of our in-house attorneys.

How much does divorce cost in Illinois?

Typically the cost of divorce ranges from $2,500 to $25,000.

How long does it take to get divorce in Illinois?

There is no mandated waiting period for an uncontested divorce in Illinois. Contested divorces have a waiting period of six months. Uncontested cases are the quickest and can happen within weeks or months. Contested cases may take up to a year or more. or fill out the form below to book a consult.

Why is divorce so expensive?

Putting an exact price tag on divorce is hard because every couple is so different . Cases that involve a lot of property to divide, minor children, or spousal support issues tend to be more expensive. Further, if you and your spouse can’t agree on the issues and the case goes to trial, the cost will likely double.

How to save money on divorce?

This can be done either through private Process Servers or through the county Sheriff’s office. If you don’t need to inform your spouse of the divorce, you can save money on this if your spouse signs an Entry of Appearance form in advance. If you can’t afford the filing fees, you can ask the court to waive the fees.

What is the first step in a divorce?

If your divorce is contested, it can be helpful to understand the process. The first step of a contested divorce is a hearing to establish temporary orders.

Is divorce a good experience?

In many cases, divorce brings up a lot of difficult feelings that are sometimes harder to deal with than the legal aspects. Even though no divorce is a good experience, try your best to avoid a contested case. Judges will order mediation for contested cases, and if that doesn’t work, it will go to trial.

Is divorce the same as two families?

Just like no two families are alike, no two divorces are either. Some divorces aren’t very involved and feel more like working out a business contract. Others drag out for years and cost hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.

How much does a divorce lawyer charge in Illinois?

Illinois divorce lawyers charge an hourly fee of $260 on average to proceed with the divorce. Spouses’ payments include fees for any paralegals involved, legal staff, court filings, financing the costs of expert witnesses, financial analysts, appraisers and professional child custody evaluations.

How much does it cost to divorce in Illinois?

On average, the cost to divorce in Illinois is $13,800. Include child custody and support, alimony, and property division into the mix, and financing a divorce sharply climbs to an average of $35,300.

How much is alimony in Illinois?

Alimony – $19,100. Alimony also drives the cost of divorce upwards, in Illinois as well as in every state. Spousal support or spousal maintenance are interchangeable terms for what is known as alimony. In the Land of Lincoln, alimony spurs the costs of divorce to $19,100 on average. Spouses with unequal earning power tend to fight out alimony ...

Why do people file for divorce based on fault?

Filing for divorce based on fault will ensure the cost of divorce is higher than average. Spouses who claim faults, like impotence, abandonment, infidelity, drug, or alcohol abuse or cruelty will witness the price of their divorce proceedings ascend markedly.

How does child custody affect divorce costs?

Disputes over child support as well as child custody battles increase the costs of divorce proceedings , especially when a judge resolves the issues. Divorcing spouses save costs significantly when they are able to settle divorce issues involving children before the case goes to trial.

How much does it cost to get divorced in the Golden State?

The average divorce filing fee in the Golden State is $435, with average attorney’s fees hovering around $13,800. In contrast, one of the least expensive states in which to get divorced is North Dakota, with average divorce filing fees of $80 and average attorney fees of $8,200. Illinois is not an economical state in which to legally separate ...

What is high cost divorce?

High-income couples will have a high-cost divorce. The steep rise of costs in a divorce that includes property division occurs when multiple assets are involved. Couples entangled in the dissolution of marriage will zealously safeguard their retirement accounts, savings accounts, cars, brokerage accounts and real estate.

What happens if you divorce in Illinois?

Depending on your circumstances, however, it could turn out to be a big headache.

Can you avoid sticker shock when divorced?

You can avoid sticker shock if you have an idea of typical divorce costs where you live, as well as some of the circumstances—and decisions—that could make it more or less expensive.

Do lawyers charge hourly?

Attorneys with offices in large metropolitan areas usually charge hourly rates at the higher end of the scale, which is generally a reflection of the cost of living. Because of their numbers, big-city lawyers also tend to drive up the overall average.

How much does it cost to file a divorce case?

Filing costs vary from county to county, but you can expect to pay a minimum of $250 for the basic filing fee. If you need to serve papers to a missing spouse or are ordered to attend mediation there can be additional costs. To find out more, consult the county clerk’s office in your county.

How long does it take to get divorce in Illinois?

How long does it take to get a divorce in Illinois? A divorce can take anywhere from six weeks to 18 months to be fully finalized. Times can vary dramatically depending on whether your divorce is contested, if you have children, or if the other spouse is present.

What is a do it yourself divorce?

A DIY divorce is when you file all the paperwork with the court and make decisions about all the aspects of a divorce without the help of an attorney. In most cases, this is done in low-conflict divorces where the couple agrees on property division, child custody and support, and all other parts of the divorce.

What happens if you can't agree on divorce papers?

If you can’t agree on every aspect of the divorce, they may order mediation to help you and your spouse come to an agreement.

How long do you have to live in Illinois to file for divorce?

If you or your spouse has lived in Illinois for at least 90 days, you will be able to file for divorce. To do it yourself without a lawyer, you’ll need to file a petition for dissolution of marriage at the county courthouse where you live. The specific paperwork you’ll need will change depending on if it’s contested or uncontested, ...

Why do people do DIY divorces?

The idea of a DIY divorce is to save time and money. But if you’re unsure of the process or make mistakes, it might end up costing you more in the end. When in doubt, consult an experienced family lawyer.

How to contact Illinois divorce lawyers?

Call (312) 757-8082 now to get Immediate help with your divorce or family law issue. Or click here to download Illinois divorce forms to get started on your own. Call for Immediate Assistance (312) 757-8082. or fill out the form below to book a consult. Tell Us More - Optional.

How to get divorce in Illinois?

The divorce process in Illinois begins with the filing of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This legal form notifies the courts that you wish to divorce your spouse. After obtaining a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, you should fill out the form completely.

What happens when you file for divorce?

When you file for divorce, you become the plaintiff in this legal procedure, and your spouse becomes the defendant. You are legally obligated to notify the defendant that the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed.

What can a mediator do before divorce?

Prior to a divorce filing, a mediator can also provide legal advice to help you and your spouse produce a settlement agreement. This prevents the need to hire expensive attorneys and enter protracted negotiations. The court may recommend a mediator, or you can research available mediators in your area.

What are the sticking points in contested divorce cases?

In the vast majority of contested divorce cases, the main sticking points involve property distribution, alimony or child custody. If you believe that your spouse may argue for greater consideration in one of these issues, you should learn how Illinois statutes and courts govern decisions regarding these matters.

How long does it take to respond to a divorce petition?

Response to the Petition. Once your spouse has been served with the divorce papers, they have 30 days to respond to the petition. This is most often provided in the form of a Response to the Petition. The Response to the Petition may confirm or deny the allegations made in the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.

What happens if my spouse disagrees with my divorce?

If your spouse, however, disagrees with points in the Petition for Dissolution of the Marriage or files a Counter Petition, you have a contested divorce. You should strongly consider hiring an attorney to manage your case if your divorce is contested.

How to serve divorce papers?

Service of Process. You may provide legal notice to your spouse in the following ways: Use the local sheriff of your spouse’s jurisdiction to serve the divorce papers. A fee may be required. Hire a private process server to deliver the papers. The most popular method of service is to mail the divorce papers via mail.

What are the requirements for a divorce?

In every state, a variety of factors will change the hours required to negotiate and find a divorce agreement such as: 1 Child custody 2 Amount of property 3 Tax advice 4 Alimony (spousal support)

Where can I get free divorce advice?

Getting free advice at a family law clinic (available at some family law courts) Speaking with a legal aid organization to see if you qualify for free services. Many attorneys offer free consultations, so it is doesn't hurt to call one or more experienced divorce lawyers in your area to discuss your divorce.

What are the classes for divorce?

Education classes on the divorce process or co-parenting. Mediation (this can replace attorney fees or be in addition to attorney fees) Psychiatric evaluations for adults or children. Refinancing a mortgage.

What factors affect the hours required to negotiate a divorce?

In every state, a variety of factors will change the hours required to negotiate and find a divorce agreement such as: Child custody. Amount of property. Tax advice. Alimony (spousal support) Consider how complex your divorce is when estimating how much it might cost.

Can I get divorce if I don't have money?

Getting a Divorce When You Don't Have The Money. While the costs seem high, an important takeaway is that divorce is still attainable. Do not refuse to get a divorce just because you cannot afford it. You may be able to reduce costs by: Asking your attorney for an affordable payment plan.

Do divorce lawyers have to have a payment plan?

Yes , most law firms or independent attorneys understand that an average divorce costs a large sum of money, and may need a payment plan. There are no state laws on offering payment plans, so this is solely up the firm you want to hire. Ask them in your first meeting if they offer payment plans.

Can you get an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce is possible if you can negotiate together and agree on big-ticket items such as who keeps the house. If you want the court to help you determine how things are split (in a contested divorce), you will rack up additional attorney's fees.