How Long Does It Take To Finalize Divorce in Illinois?

 Posted on February 04, 2025 in Divorce

It is a big deal to decide to move forward with a divorce. Instead of staying in a limbo of uncertainty, you have decided what makes sense for you, and you should be commended for that. However, making that decision is only the beginning. While you have figured out how you feel about your relationship status, you are likely confused and uncertain about what the future will look like and what you can expect to happen in the coming months and years. 

One major source of uncertainty for people preparing for a divorce is how long the whole process will take. Unfortunately, there is no one right answer to that question, because the timeline depends on several factors. Fortunately, you can consult with a knowledgeable Illinois divorce lawyer dedicated to explaining these factors to you so you can make an informed decision.

What is a Typical Illinois Divorce Timeline?

One primary factor that helps determine how long it will take for your divorce to be finalized is the specific type of divorce you choose.

Joint Simplified Divorce

This is the fastest way to get divorced, but it is only applicable to couples with limited factors to address. You and your spouse can have a joint simplified divorce if: 

• You do not have any children

• You do not own any real estate

• You do not have any retirement benefits to divide

• You have been married for eight years or less

• The value of your marital estate does not exceed $50,000

As with other types of divorce, a major component in the timeline for this type of divorce is the court’s availability. Once you have a court date, resolving your divorce might take one week to one month.

Contested Vs. Uncontested Divorce

If you and your spouse file for divorce together and work out your divorce settlement, including a parenting plan and arrangements for spousal support and property division, you could have an uncontested divorce, which typically takes two months to a year. This is considered the quickest divorce method, with the main delay being the court’s schedule and availability to handle your case.

If you cannot agree about any of the aspects of your divorce, you would need to have a contested divorce. This can take six months to a year, although it can take longer if you and your spouse require in-depth negotiations and a drawn-out court case to resolve issues for your divorce settlement.

Mediated Divorce

This type of divorce involves several sessions with a mediator followed by the finalization process, which should ultimately result in a divorce decree that you and your spouse can both agree to. On average, this can take between three months to a year to resolve.

Collaborative Divorce

This can typically be the longest kind of divorce to resolve. The spouses put together a team of relevant professionals, including lawyers, mediators, social workers, and child psychologists or child development professionals. The goal is to reach agreements that serve the best interests of everyone involved, particularly any children the couple has. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to this divorce method. The main advantage of collaborative divorce is that it is typically the smoothest, least combative approach to ending a marriage and people end up feeling much happier with their divorce settlements reached this way. Disadvantages include the fact that it costs a great deal more, particularly since so many professionals need to be hired, and that it can take an extremely long time, on average eight to 14 months, to finalize. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Cook County, IL Divorce Lawyer

When your mind is full of questions about an upcoming divorce, a qualified Chicago, IL family law attorney can help. At The Law Office of George J. Skuros, we know that everyone has unique needs and we are proud of the fact that we have helped a large variety of clients find solutions that suit them best. Call us at 312-884-1222 to schedule a free consultation and hear about how the services we offer can benefit you.