It can be challenging to go through a divorce’s emotional upheaval and difficulties.
If you are considering getting a divorce in Illinois, consulting with an attorney can help you understand the procedure for getting a divorce, the costs of having a divorce, the potential hazards that could arise, and the legal ramifications of getting a divorce in the state.
Each divorce is as unique as the two people who were married in the first place. And when it comes to how much a divorce costs, it depends on many factors. One of which is the state you live in (and even what part of the state you live in).
So how much does a divorce cost in Illinois?
Because every divorce case is different and must be heard by the judges, it can be challenging to estimate how much money will be spent on the process. But let’s take a look at the cost of getting a divorce in the state of Illinois to give you at least some idea of the costs.
How Much Does A Divorce Cost In Illinois?
The average cost in the United States ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. But it can get higher or lower than that.
In Illinois, the average cost of having a divorce ranges from $2,500 to $35,300. That’s a pretty big range, we know.
A primary factor in divorce costs is whether there are children involved or not. Also, whether the divorce is contested or uncontested (more on this below) plays a big role in overall costs. And, in Illinois, you can expect costs to be higher in the Chicago area than in other parts of the state.
Filing fees also differ on a state-by-state basis. The average filing fee for a divorce in Illinois is $334. But it ranges from $210 to $388.
Contested Versus Uncontested Divorce
The exact costs of your divorce will depend on many factors. One of the factors that will affect the cost of your divorce is whether it is contested or uncontested.
A contested divorce is a divorce that involves one or many issues the two parties cannot agree on. A big one, which is the one mentioned earlier, involved children’s issues like child support and alimony.
Other issues that the parties involved may disagree over in a divorce case include spousal support, division of property, and more. And they make divorce more expensive.
A contested divorce is much more expensive because of the amount of effort that will be put into settling issues. And another thing that will affect the overall costs of a divorce is the appeal.
Divorce Lawyer Fees
Of course, a divorce lawyer can be necessary for a divorce, especially a contested one. And hiring a divorce lawyer can up the overall fees of a divorce.
The national average cost of hiring a divorce lawyer ranges from $175 to $500 per hour. But in Illinois, the average cost of a divorce lawyer is $260 per hour.
No-Fault Versus Fault-Based Divorce
The state of Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. That means you or your spouse do not necessarily need to allege each other’s faults.
A fault-based divorce is more expensive compared to a no-fault divorce. A fault-based divorce is more costly than a no-fault one because of the time and effort to prove the defendant’s fault.
Divorce in Illinois can be either lower or higher than the national average cost of a divorce, depending on the exact situation of your divorce.