How Much Will My Illinois Divorce Cost?

No one enters into a marriage thinking that they will one day get divorced, but the fact is that a lot of marriages do end in divorce.

One of the most common questions that couples facing divorce ask is how much will it cost? This depends upon your particular circumstances.

In some cases, both parties want a divorce and have agreed on everything from children to division of marital assets and debts. In more contentious situations, there are more matters that come into play.

At Diamond Legal, we know how stressful and confusing going through legal battles can be. That’s why our Illinois divorce attorneys are here to help. Let’s dive in and take a look at the factors to be considered when figuring out how much your divorce will cost.

An Uncontested Divorce in Illinois

An uncontested divorce happens when both parties agree on the key issues, including child custody, division of assets, and debts.

In Illinois, the cost for an uncontested divorce is often substantially less than divorces with contested issues. The cost typically includes the filing fees, court reporter fees and few, if any, other costs.

When a divorce is uncontested, it typically goes much more quickly and smoothly than a contested divorce. The process is less adversarial, and there is less fighting between the parties involved.

If you are considering an uncontested divorce, it’s important to make sure that you and your spouse agree on all key issues. If you do not agree on something, the divorce will become contested.

If you are unsure about whether or not your divorce will be uncontested, our team at Diamond Divorce Law is here to help.

A Contested Divorce in Illinois

Contested divorces can run the gambit from a single simple contested issue to more complicated and involved issues. That is why it is important to have a qualified and dedicated Illinois divorce lawyer on your side. 

Contested issues can be as simple as who gets the dog, or as complicated as how to value or divide a multimillion-dollar marital business or asset. Frequently, one of the more expensive items are contested custody matters. 

Some contested matters require substantial discovery and sometimes outside consultants or experts such as real estate appraisers, specialists in appraising businesses or other unique assets and the like.

When you initiate your consultation with your lawyer, your lawyer will be able to size up what your anticipated contested issues may be or whether or not you have a fairly straight-forward divorce.

Attorney Fees in an Illinois Divorce

Attorney fees for your divorce may vary a bit depending upon the particular lawyer and whether or not there are some issues that require additional legal services regarding issues such as investments, retirement accounts and unique personal property.

When it comes to figuring out how much a divorce will cost, attorney fees are a big factor. Attorney fees can vary greatly, depending on the complexity of your case and the experience of your lawyer.

At Diamond Divorce Law, we offer a flat fee for uncontested divorce cases. Contact our team today to get an understanding of our fees for contested divorce.

Can I Give My Spouse Our Divorce Documents, or Do I Have to Hire a Process Server?

A divorce petition (or complaint) is the first document filed in the divorce. This is filed in the County Circuit Clerk’s office and must be served on the other party by the sheriff’s deputy or a court authorized process server.

It is crucial, in all divorce cases, to make sure that there is proper service on the other person for the court to have jurisdiction over that party throughout the proceedings.

There are some situations where the other party can file an appearance in the case and waive their right to be served with process. If you are filing your own divorce without assistance of counsel you need to make sure you follow the correct procedure in serving the initial complaint and serving the other party with subsequent papers and documents.

After the other party is either properly served with a summons and complaint or properly filed an appearance in the case, there are specific procedural rules on how various papers are to be served on other parties and filed with the court. You can’t just email, text or send letters.

If you have a qualified family law lawyer handling your case, you can be assured that the other party is properly served with documents and papers as required by the court’s procedural rules.

Contact Diamond Legal today

Our team at Diamond Legal knows how overwhelming a divorce can be. We are here to give you the peace of mind that your divorce will be handled correctly. Located in McHenry, Illinois, our attorneys have decades of experience in divorce law.

Our team is dedicated to serving clients seeking a divorce or other related proceedings for their family’s protection. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today!

DISCLAIMER: Any information contained herein is solely for informational purposes. While it is important that you educate yourself, nothing herein should be construed as legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. For specific questions, we urge you to contact a local attorney for advice pertaining to your specific legal needs.