In this article, we’ll explain how to prepare for a divorce in Illinois, answering questions like, “How do I file for divorce in Illinois?” and “How can I prepare for a divorce in Illinois?” Filing for divorce can be extremely stressful, both emotionally and financially.

Is Your Divorce Contested or Uncontested?

First, it’s important to understand the difference between uncontested divorce and contested divorce. An uncontested divorce is a case where both parties mutually agree on the terms of a divorce. If this is the case, the divorce process is fairly simple and straightforward. A contested divorce, on the other hand, is a divorce case where both parties cannot agree on the terms of a divorce, which can range from child support to division of assets to parental responsibilities.

Considering you already know your spouse on a personal level, you can probably already guess if your divorce case will be contested or not. However, a lot of factors go into the divorce process, so you may not be able to predict your spouse’s reaction to every scenario until you both speak with an experienced attorney. If you know your divorce case is going to be a messy one, it’s best to plan ahead and start taking action prior to filing for divorce. Even if you and your partner are relatively on the same page, you may still want to prepare yourself with the following steps.