Illinois divorce at a glance
Official source: Illinois court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in Illinois: step by step
Illinois divorces on a single no-fault ground — irreconcilable differences — with mandatory e-filing and statewide standardized forms. Here is the path from petition to a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage.
- Confirm you can file in Illinois
One spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days. Illinois’s only ground is irreconcilable differences; in an agreed/joint case you don’t have to prove a separation period.Source: 750 ILCS 5/401 - Generate your forms
Use the Illinois statewide standardized forms: the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Summons, and Appearance (plus parenting documents if you have children).Source: Illinois Supreme Court Approved Statewide Forms - E-file with the Circuit Court
Illinois requires e-filing through eFileIL, including for self-represented filers. Pay the filing fee (roughly $250–$390) or file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees.Source: eFileIL; Application for Waiver of Court Fees - Serve your spouse
Have your spouse served — or, in an agreed case, they can file an Appearance and waive formal service.Source: 750 ILCS 5/ - Handle children and support (if any)
If you have children, complete a parenting plan and calculate child support under Illinois’s income-shares guidelines.Source: 750 ILCS 5/505 - Finalize at a short prove-up hearing
In an uncontested case, attend a brief "prove-up" hearing; the judge enters your Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage.Source: Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in Illinois?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. Check the linked court resources for the self-represented filing paths and forms available where you will file. Local requirements and the issues in your case determine which documents you need.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat helps you organize your case information and find official court resources. Available generated drafts depend on your state and case path; review the court’s complete checklist before filing.
Child support resources for Illinois
Illinois child support calculator → An itemized estimate from Illinois’s official guideline, figures effective 2026-03-20. The court’s worksheet controls.
Use the current official worksheet and instructions for your case. Income definitions, parenting arrangements, deductions, other obligations and additional expenses can affect the result. A simple percentage of the higher earner’s income does not establish an obligation.
Official court forms and guidance →
How long does a Illinois divorce take?
No fixed post-filing waiting period for an agreed divorce; a 6-month separation creates a presumption of irreconcilable differences, which spouses can waive by agreement. After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons Illinois divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. Moderate. Statewide standardized forms must be accepted everywhere, but fees vary by county and Cook County (Chicago) adds local cover sheets.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
Prepare Illinois divorce drafts
Prepare the current Illinois petition with or without children. The supported children path includes an additional-children attachment when needed, for up to seven children needing minor-child, education or disability support. For an existing case, a separate saved interview prepares a respondent Appearance or a summons. Each download includes an editable unsigned copy and a flattened unsigned copy, plus a checklist. Neither is signed or filed by LawCat. The summons still needs clerk issuance and authorized service; the Appearance needs the actual respondent’s or attorney’s signature and filing. A separate saved interview now prepares proposed agreed judgments with or without children, including verified continuation pages for children, debts and property. It requires actual filed-case and respondent-participation facts, explicit settlement choices, and the applicable prepared parenting and support documents. Hearing facts, court findings, signatures and entry remain blank. The same final-stage workspace can also prepare the actual no-child or child agreement certification, based only on the specific judgment, parenting and support documents personally reviewed. Certification signatures and notarization remain blank. A separate private VR-700 interview prepares the four designated vital-record copies, using only the last four SSN digits. Its answers are cleared on exit or download and never saved in LawCat. The download includes editable and flattened copies plus separate-delivery instructions; this product label does not seal a court filing. Financial exchange, separate parenting and support papers, the hearing and county requirements remain separate. More complex answers stay saved for further preparation; an unsupported draft branch does not mean self-service is unavailable.
Organize your case →Why LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat’s document preparation is free, with no subscription and no card on file.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
Illinois divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Illinois?
No lawyer is required: Illinois courts accept divorce filings from self-represented (pro se) people, and the official court resources linked on this page explain the forms and steps. Many people talk to a lawyer when custody, support or property is disputed. LawCat prepares selected Illinois form drafts free of charge; it does not give legal advice.
How long do I have to live in Illinois to file for divorce?
One spouse must have lived in Illinois for 90 days before the judgment. (750 ILCS 5/401) Confirm the current rule with the official Illinois court source before filing.
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Illinois?
The court filing fee varies by county, roughly $250–$390 for the petitioner. File the statewide Application for Waiver of Court Fees if you can’t afford the filing fee. LawCat’s available drafts have no document-preparation charge; court costs, service and other expenses are separate.