The Cost of Divorce in Illinois

 Posted on September 14, 2026 in Divorce

There’s no getting around it – if you live in Illinois and want a divorce, it’s going to cost you something. Even if the divorce is amicable and you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse agree on all aspects of property division and child custody, you will still face Court costs and may have attorney's fees.

The bigger question for most people is how much the entire divorce will cost. Unfortunately, there isn’t a reliable statewide average to answer that question for every family. A couple who has already agreed on nearly everything may spend relatively little. Spouses who spend months fighting over parenting time, property, or alimony spend substantially more.

If you are considering divorce in 2026, understanding where those expenses come from can help you make decisions that keep unnecessary costs under control. At The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C., our Palatine divorce attorney can help you do exactly that. 

How Much Does It Cost Just to File for Divorce in Illinois?

For divorce cases filed in Cook County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court currently lists a $388 fee to file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The responding spouse pays a $250 appearance fee. Other counties charge different amounts, so the filing cost depends on where the case is filed. Getting divorce papers served may create another expense at the beginning of the case. Illinois Supreme Court-approved fee waiver forms are available for civil cases, including divorce.

What Makes an Illinois Divorce More Expensive?

Most of the costs associated with divorce are for the attorney's time. This includes meeting with a client, drafting Court pleadings, reviewing financial documents, negotiating, attending Court hearings, taking depositions, and preparing for trial.

Costs also include expenses that are unrelated to the attorney's time. Depending on the case, this could include:

• Filing and service fees

• Court reporter or deposition costs

• Accountant or financial professional fees

• Real estate or business valuation costs

• Private investigator fees

• Fees for other professionals involved in a parenting or financial dispute

Many divorces don’t involve most of these expenses. A typical couple with ordinary finances who can reach an agreement has no need for a business valuation or a private investigator. On the other hand, a divorce involving complicated finances or a serious parenting dispute can require much more work.

No attorney can say with certainty at the beginning of a case how much getting divorced will cost. However, a good rule of thumb is that the more issues spouses can resolve before going to court, the less the divorce will cost.

Who Is Responsible for Paying Attorney's Fees in an Illinois Divorce?

In most Illinois divorce cases, each spouse is initially responsible for his or her own attorney's fees. However, Illinois law recognizes that spouses do not always enter a divorce with equal access to money. One spouse frequently manages the household finances, while the other may have very little financial sophistication or knowledge. 

Under 750 ILCS 5/508, an Illinois Court may order one party to pay for the other party's attorney's fees in certain situations, including while a divorce is still pending. This is most common in cases where one spouse doesn’t work or earns much less than the other. A Court can order an interim fee award when one spouse has the ability to pay reasonable fees and the other would be at a serious disadvantage without that help. 

In addition to attorney’s fees, the Court can order one spouse to pay child support and alimony as a case is ongoing, as well as when the final divorce order is handed down. The Court may also consider attorney's fees again at the end of the case. 

Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost Less?

When spouses agree on the big issues in a divorce, their attorneys spend more time preparing the agreement and less time negotiating or litigating. When this is possible, it saves everyone time and money. That being said, an uncontested divorce is not necessarily a simple divorce. A couple may have complicated finances and still be able to reach an agreement, but they may need to spend more time negotiating with a mediator’s help. 

Couples who are hoping to save money in their divorce should understand that the tradeoff of saving money isn’t always worth the difference in the results of a case. Saving money by avoiding unnecessary litigation makes sense; saving money by signing an agreement without understanding its long-term consequences does not.

When it comes to property division, this is particularly important because property division is almost always final. Someone who cuts corners to save money can’t usually undo that decision later.

How Can You Keep Divorce Costs Under Control?

The amount of conflict between spouses is one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of divorce, but working cooperatively with your spouse isn’t the only way to keep down divorce costs. Other ways include: 

• Being organized 

• Providing requested financial records quickly

• Keeping important communications

• Responding to questions clearly

• Focusing on problem-solving

All of these behaviors reduce the amount of time an attorney has to spend getting information from a client and organizing it into a clear case. If you plan on using your attorney’s time for directly addressing legal problems rather than leaning on them for emotional support or total organizational control, your case will move faster and it won’t cost as much. 

Call a Palatine, IL Divorce Lawyer Today

Divorce is stressful enough before you even start thinking about the cost. Arlington Heights divorce attorney Nicholas W. Richardson approaches divorce cases with an eye toward reaching a resolution as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible so clients can begin the next phase of their lives. 

Contact The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C. at 847.873.6741 today to schedule a free initial consultation.