Who pays for divorce in Illinois?

Who pays for divorce in Illinois?

Generally, Illinois law does not require that attorneys’ fees be paid by one spouse or the other. However, there are situations in which a court may step in and award attorney fees to a spouse, especially if the financial situation in the marriage is significantly lopsided.

Is Illinois an alimony state?

In Illinois, to be eligible for alimony, spouses must have been legally married. Illinois courts will only grant spousal support, or maintenance, if one spouse is unable to support him or herself. The court has discretion to award permanent support or fixed support, which expires after a certain amount of time.

How much does a divorce cost in Cook County?

Key court fees for residents of Cook County: $337 to file/open a new divorce case. $206 to respond if your spouse files for divorce. $60 to have the Sheriff serve your spouse.

Where do I go to file divorce papers in Cook County IL?

The clerk’s office will file your paperwork, provide you with a case number, assign a judge to your case, and issue your summons. The filing fees are posted on the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s website at www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org.

Can I file for divorce online in Illinois?

Once you’re ready to initiate the divorce, you can find Illinois uncontested divorce forms either online through Illinois Legal Aid or through your local courthouse. You’ll need to bring the completed forms to the courthouse for filing. The clerk will assign a case number and charge a filing fee.

How do I serve divorce papers in Illinois?

Your attorney may secure the services of a county sheriff to serve divorce papers, or a licensed private investigator, with the exception of Cook county. Another allowable option is using any Illinois citizen over the age of 18 who is court appointed.

How long does it take to get served divorce papers in Illinois?

Serving them papers can take several weeks, and once they’ve been served they have 30 days to respond. If your spouse does not need to be served, they can fill out an Entry of Appearance form in advance.