Divorce Petition in Illinois
Start with the official Illinois form
The canonical, court-accepted version of this form is published by the Circuit Court (Family Law Division). Search your county or district court's website for the current Divorce Petition form before relying on any template. Forms are revised periodically — always confirm you have the current revision before filing.
Verify with your local court clerk before filing: local rules sometimes add cover-sheet, formatting, or service requirements beyond what the state-issued form shows.
Illinois Requirements
- At least one spouse must be an Illinois resident for 90 days before filing
- Only ground: irreconcilable differences (no-fault since 2016)
- If parties have lived separate and apart for 6 months, irreconcilable differences are irrebuttably presumed
- Financial disclosure statement required from both parties
- Equitable distribution of marital property (not necessarily 50/50)
Circuit Court (Family Law Division)
$289–$362
How to Complete This Form
- 1Confirm that you meet your state's residency requirements for filing.
- 2Gather financial records, including income statements, bank accounts, debts, and property valuations.
- 3Obtain the appropriate divorce petition forms from your court or court website.
- 4Complete the petition, including grounds for divorce, proposed property division, and custody arrangements (if applicable).
- 5File the petition with the court clerk and pay the filing fee.
- 6Serve the petition on your spouse according to your state's service requirements.
- 7Attend any required hearings, mediation sessions, or settlement conferences.
Editorial Template (Not the Official Court Form)
This is an educational template showing the typical structure of a Divorce Petition in Illinois. It is not a court-validated form and should not be used in place of the official form issued by the Circuit Court (Family Law Division). Use this template only to understand what information you will need to assemble before completing the official form. Submitting this template instead of the official form may result in rejection by the court clerk.
Divorce Petition in Other States
Other Forms in Illinois
When to Talk to a Lawyer
- Your divorce involves significant assets, a business, retirement accounts, or disputes over child custody.
- There is a history of domestic violence, hidden assets, or your spouse has hired an attorney.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.