Divorce is one of the most stressful experiences in life. Most separations are painful, and even a relatively amicable split can have complicated legal issues. The cost of divorce also can be challenging, and it is essential to understand the factors involved. If you have questions about a pending divorce, our Skokie divorce lawyers can assist you.
The cost of an Illinois divorce depends on the situation’s complexity and how contentious the split is. Generally, the more you can agree with your partner about significant divorce issues, the less expensive the divorce. Some sources report that the average cost of divorce in Illinois is $15,000. If you and your spouse agree to an uncontested divorce, the cost can range between $2,500 and $5,000.
Many factors will affect the price of your divorce in Illinois. They include:
If you and the other party are amicable in the divorce, you may pursue an uncontested divorce. The price drops significantly when major divorce issues can be decided without attorneys and courts involved. Much of the price of a divorce depends on how much legal guidance and support is needed. However, getting an uncontested divorce is impossible if you are in a contentious situation with many disagreements over the outcome.
When there are children from the marriage, the cost of divorce can rise significantly, especially when the parents fight for primary custody. There also can be disagreements over child support and visitation. You can save money if you can devise a parenting plan with your spouse without the court intervening.
If you and your spouse own a lot of property or a business, the cost of divorce can rise. Parties who cannot agree on property division must rely on the divorce court to decide who gets what.
A smart option to consider is mediation. A third-party mediator can meet with both of you to discuss property division disagreements. While the decision is not binding, mediation can help the parties divide marital property fairly without relying on the court to decide things. It also gives you more control over your financial future, which many prefer.
Going to trial may be needed if major divorce issues cannot be resolved outside of court. Going to court raises the cost of divorce because of the legal hours required to prepare and present the case.
If one of the parties wants to receive alimony or spousal support, this can affect the cost of the divorce. But if you and your spouse can agree on alimony payment amounts and duration, the divorce cost can be reduced.
Divorces can be expensive, but there are ways to keep the costs under control. It helps to contact a divorce attorney early in the process to understand your legal options. Your attorney will resolve the significant divorce issues quickly to keep costs under control. Contact our Skokie divorce lawyers at Gordon & Perlut for answers to your legal questions on divorce and other Illinois family law issues at (312) 360-0250.