Illinois divorce at a glance
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Dissolution of marriage in Illinois
Illinois is one of the few states with no fault-based divorce at all — the only ground is irreconcilable differences, and to use it you must have lived separate and apart for six continuous months before filing. The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage goes to the Circuit Court in the county where you live, and the 90-day residency requirement is the easy part.
Illinois uses its own vocabulary throughout: custody is called “allocation of parental responsibilities,” covering parenting time and significant decision-making, and alimony is called maintenance. Property is divided equitably, and child support follows the Illinois Child Support Guidelines under 750 ILCS 5/505, which bases the amount on the paying parent’s income.
Because the six-month separation must be complete before you file, couples who want to move fast should start the clock early. The standardized forms come from the Illinois Courts website, and filing fees range from about $250 to $388 depending on the county.