What’s the Best Way to Divorce in Illinois?

The most efficient way to divorce in Illinois is through mutual agreement with your spouse. Both of you should participate in signing all the necessary paperwork. However, divorce is still possible if your spouse is reluctant to sign or is missing. Note that these situations will require additional steps. The quickest and easiest method is via mutual agreement.

Once you and your spouse reach an agreement, you'll need to submit all the relevant documents to the court, along with a document that outlines your agreements. This document is typically referred to as a Marital Settlement Agreement. This document details how you and your spouse will divide your marital assets and debts, if any. It also explains arrangements for child support, parenting time, and parental responsibilities, if applicable.

How Do I Obtain Illinois Divorce Documents and Settlement Agreements?

Through this website, we offer a way to complete an agreed divorce 100% online. However, you must qualify to use this entirely online process. This website enables you to answer simple questions online and then receive all the necessary paperwork. All the documents are drafted and prepared by a duly licensed Illinois attorney. You and your spouse can then opt to sign and notarize the paperwork online and choose to have the online attorney e-file the paperwork with the court on your behalf.
‍
Alternatively, you can choose to file the paperwork received via this website. You and your spouse simply sign and notarize it, then mail or deliver it to the courthouse. All paperwork you receive via this website is prepared by a duly licensed Illinois attorney. It's essential to have a reliable professional prepare your paperwork, as Illinois divorce judges can be very particular and may reject your case if you fail to file the correct paperwork or don't draft the documents correctly.

Do-it-Yourself Illinois Divorce Forms

If you are seeking Illinois divorce forms for your Illinois divorce, it's important to note that:

1. There is no one-size-fits-all set of forms that you can download anywhere to meet your specific situation and circumstances.
2. Divorce "forms" are actually documents that are dynamic, meaning that the content may change according to the specifics of your case. If a question doesn't apply, you don't skip it but must address it in the context of your situation. Failing to do so may delay the judge from granting your divorce.
3. Most forms found online are only a subset of the documents required for your case, and you must be aware of the deadline set by New Jersey Statute within which these forms must be filed.

If you decide to prepare your own divorce documents, you first need to determine which documents are relevant to your situation, find all the necessary documents, notices, and local court cover sheets or certifications required to file and finalize your divorce. You'll then need to customize the language of the Marital Settlement Agreement to meet your specific situation, and if you have children, understand how child support is calculated under Illinois guidelines. Understanding the procedures of your local Circuit Court is necessary to file, serve your spouse, and either schedule your final hearing or follow the court’s process for reviewing and entering final divorce orders. This process can be overwhelming, especially while dealing with the emotional strain of divorce.

What’s the best way to get correct Illinois Divorce Papers?

If you simply want the paperwork, please know that through this website we have created a simple and highly affordable way to start and complete your divorce in Illinois. If you have reached an agreement with your spouse, you can use this website to answer straightforward questions online and then receive all the paperwork you need to file and finalize your uncontested divorce in Illinois. Best of all, you simply sign and mail the paperwork to the court and never have to appear before the judge. A judge will be assigned and will approve the divorce if all the papers are complete. If you choose, you can have an online attorney, via this website, review all your paperwork to ensure it is appropriate for your situation. The cost of this service is only $195 or two payments of $99.

Warning about websites selling divorce kits or typing services

Nearly all "online divorce" websites do not employ attorneys and as such offer only a typing service that simply inputs your information into their standard divorce documents, which may or may not be all the documents you need for your situation. More importantly, their standard divorce documents may not be acceptable to the judge. Carefully review any websites offering divorce forms and online services. You will quickly discover that most offer nothing but typing services, as they are not attorneys and cannot provide you with legal advice or answer your legal questions or even help you make decisions about your case.

What documents are usually required in Illinois?

The divorce documents required in Illinois can vary due to several factors. It's essential to be aware that divorce documents may differ from court to court, as some counties require certain documents specific to their local court. Each divorce case is unique, which impacts what documents are needed for each case. For example, one case may involve children while another may not, or one case may involve property, while another does not.

Common documents in an Illinois uncontested divorce might include:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Marital Settlement Agreement
• Parenting Plan (if children are involved)
• Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage
• Appearance and Waiver of Service (if spouse waives service)
• Child Support Calculation Worksheet (if children are involved)
• Certificate of Dissolution (Vital Records)
  

This list has been divided into two categories for clarity:

1. For cases not involving minor children, click here.
2. For cases involving minor children, click here.

For the most accurate information, always consult with a legal professional.