Illinois divorce at a glance
Residency requirement
90 days residency in Illinois before judgment (750 ILCS 5/401(a)).
No-fault ground
Irreconcilable differences — the ONLY ground since 2016 (750 ILCS 5/401). Living separate and apart 6 months creates an irrebuttable presumption; for joint/uncontested filings the parties can effectively proceed without proving separation. No other waiting…
Filing fee
Varies by county: petitioner ~$250-$388; respondent appearance ~$218-$251. Statewide standardized Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Supreme Court approved form, 735 ILCS 5/5-105, <125% FPL full…
Child support
INCOME SHARES model since 7/1/2017 (750 ILCS 5/505) using the Illinois HFS Gross-to-Net Income Conversion Table and Schedule of Basic Support Obligations; no single Supreme Court-approved worksheet form — the…
E-filing (self-represented)
eFileIL (Tyler Odyssey EFSP model) — e-filing MANDATORY for civil cases including divorce since 1/1/2018, applies to self-represented litigants too (exemptions available for hardship). Free EFSP…
County differences
MODERATE — statewide forms must be accepted everywhere, but filing fees vary by county ($250-$388 petitioner) and Cook County and some circuits add local cover sheets/case management forms. Cook County (Chicago)…
Official statewide forms
YES — Illinois Supreme Court Approved Statewide Standardized Forms (Access to Justice Commission), REQUIRED to be accepted in every circuit court: Divorce No Children suite (Petition, Summons, Appearance, Financial…
Official source: Illinois court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
Coming soon
Illinois document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Illinois. In the meantime, the official Illinois court forms are linked below.
Official Illinois forms →
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Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
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Illinois divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Illinois?
No. Illinois allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Illinois divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in Illinois to file for divorce?
90 days residency in Illinois before judgment (750 ILCS 5/401(a)).
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Illinois?
Varies by county: petitioner ~$250-$388; respondent appearance ~$218-$251. Statewide standardized Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Supreme Court approved form, 735 ILCS 5/5-105, <125% FPL full waiver). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.
This page is general information about Illinois’s court process, not legal advice for your situation, and LawCat is not a law firm. Forms and fees change — verify with the official court source above. Reviewed 2026.