How an Illinois Divorce Works: A Step-by-Step Flowchart

Universal steps (gray) apply to every case — petition, service, and the final judgment.

Children branch (left) adds the parenting class requirement, possible GAL appointment, and a parenting plan that must be incorporated into the judgment. Contested cases in this branch can involve 604.10(b)/(c) evaluations and are where things get most expensive and prolonged.

No-children branch (right) moves faster — the main contested issues are property division, debt allocation, and maintenance. Discovery tends to be financial rather than investigative.

A few Illinois-specific things not captured in the boxes:

• The 6-month waiting period is gone — Illinois allows judgment on the day of prove-up if both parties are ready

• Mediation is mandatory in many Cook and DuPage counties, for parenting disputes specifically

• The 90-day rule for service by publication starts the clock differently than personal service

This is all governed by the IMDMA, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act.