What Will I Have to Pay For During My Illinois Divorce? 

 Posted on June 06, 2026 in Divorce

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get around the average cost of divorce. While it may be possible for some spouses who own very few assets and who get along reasonably well to save money by filing for an uncontested divorce, most couples have numerous issues that take time and resources to negotiate. While you may already know that divorce is likely to be expensive, you may not know exactly which expenses to anticipate. 

At The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., we believe that the more information you have about divorce, the better prepared you will be to manage yours. Our DuPage County, IL family law attorneys can help you stay on track throughout your divorce to avoid unnecessary expenses. With over 100 years of experience, we have become renowned in our local community for our dedicated counsel and representation.

What is the Cost of Filing for Divorce in Illinois?

While every case is different, several expenses can contribute to the cost of divorce. Typically, the more contested it is, the more it will cost.

Filing Fees

While filing fees represent one of the less painful expenses of divorce, they can still cost several hundred dollars. Filing for divorce alone costs about $350 in Illinois. Court appearances, child support annual fees, parenting classes, and the cost of serving your spouse divorce papers can all add up to quite a lot. Avoid unpleasant surprises by speaking with your attorney about how much you can expect to pay in fees.

Household Expenses and Debts

Just because you moved out does not mean your financial responsibilities go with you. Any debt with your name on it is still your debt. That includes your home loan, your credit cards, and anything else you signed for during the marriage.

There may not be a court order in place yet telling you what to pay. But walking away from shared expenses entirely can create serious problems. If you stop contributing to the mortgage and the home goes into foreclosure, you could face a claim of financial dissipation. Your attorney can help you figure out which expenses to keep paying and work with you to reach an informal agreement with your spouse to cover household costs while the divorce moves forward.

Your Lawyer

The oldest joke in the world is probably about the cost of hiring a lawyer in a divorce. While lawyers may be on the receiving end of more than their fair share of punch lines, having a great divorce attorney can save you many thousands of dollars in the long run by helping you avoid costly financial mistakes and securing a favorable divorce decree. 

The average cost of a lawyer depends on many factors, but if you are worried about being able to afford an attorney, you can often work out an arrangement that allows you to manage certain things yourself, like filling out paperwork, while your attorney is present for mediation appointments and court dates.

Is It Cheaper to Settle Your Divorce Without Litigation?

Settling a divorce outside of court is almost always less expensive than going to trial. Attorney fees add up fast when a case is contested. Each hearing, each filing, and each hour spent preparing for litigation costs money. A negotiated settlement, or one reached through mediation, can reduce those costs significantly.

That said, "cheaper" does not always mean "better." Settling quickly can save money in the short term while costing you more in the long run. If you agree to terms that shortchange you on property, retirement accounts, or parenting time, the savings on legal fees may not be worth it. The goal is a resolution that is both reasonable in cost and fair in outcome.

Most divorces in Illinois do settle before trial. But the path to settlement still usually involves an attorney. Having legal guidance during negotiations helps you understand what you are agreeing to and what rights you may be giving up. A settlement reached without that understanding can be hard to undo later.

How Much Will I Lose in My Divorce?

Illinois divides marital property using a standard called "equitable distribution" (750 ILCS 5/503). This does not mean everything is split 50/50. It means the court divides marital property in a way it considers fair, based on a number of factors.

Those factors include how long the marriage lasted, each spouse's income and earning potential, the value of each spouse's non-marital property, and the contributions each person made to the marriage. A spouse who gave up career opportunities to raise children, for example, may receive a larger share of the marital estate to account for that sacrifice.

What you will "lose" in a divorce comes down to your individual circumstances. There is no simple answer. A careful review of your finances, your contributions to the marriage, and your spouse's financial picture is the only way to get a realistic sense of what a fair division might look like.

Are "DIY" Divorce Forms Worth It to Keep Costs Down?

Illinois offers standardized divorce forms that couples can fill out without an attorney. For some people, this works. If the marriage was short, there are no children, and both spouses agree on everything, the process can be relatively straightforward.

For most people, though, DIY divorce forms carry real risk. The forms ask you to make binding legal decisions about property, debt, retirement accounts, and sometimes custody. Getting those decisions wrong can be costly to fix, and some mistakes cannot be fixed at all.

The bigger problem appears when something goes wrong later. If you or your spouse needs to return to court to modify or enforce the agreement, gaps or errors in the original paperwork become serious obstacles. What looked like a simple form at the time can turn a future dispute into a prolonged legal fight, erasing any savings from avoiding an attorney in the first place.

Contact a Knowledgeable Wheaton, IL Divorce Lawyer

At The Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., our experienced DuPage County, IL family law attorneys know that divorce can be an overwhelming experience. We can meet with you and give you a clear idea of what to expect throughout the process. Call us today at 630-462-9500 to schedule an initial meeting at our conveniently located office.