Divorce & Family Law in Illinois

Illinois became a purely no-fault divorce state in 2016, eliminating all fault-based grounds. Cook County (Chicago) processes the highest volume of divorce cases in the state, with attorney rates 30-50% higher than downstate Illinois. An uncontested divorce through the simplified process — available when both parties agree on all terms and have been separated for at least six months — can cost as little as $5,000-$8,000. However, contested divorces involving substantial marital assets, business valuations, or custody disputes routinely reach $15,000-$50,000 or more. Illinois uses the "income shares" model for child support calculations, which considers both parents' incomes and the number of children. Maintenance (alimony) in Illinois follows a formula: 33.33% of the payor's net income minus 25% of the payee's net income, with caps based on combined income. Collaborative divorce is growing in popularity throughout the state, particularly among professionals and business owners seeking privacy.