What Can I Do If I Am Worried About the Cost of Divorce in Illinois?

 Posted on February 20, 2022 in Divorce

In addition to the many challenges divorce brings, such as negotiating property division, determining who will move out of the family home, and making parenting arrangements, spouses must figure out how to pay for divorce. This can present particular challenges for spouses who are unemployed or homemakers, but financing divorce can be difficult for everyone. 

However, lacking a clear path towards paying for divorce should not compel anyone to stay in a relationship that has irretrievably broken down. With careful planning, financial conservation, and the help of an experienced Naperville divorce attorney, you can make your divorce work for you. Here are a few things you can do to bring down the cost of divorce in Illinois. 

Consider Doing Some of Your Divorce Yourself

Certain parts of divorce, such as filling out paperwork and delivering it to the appropriate county courthouse, may be easier with the help of an attorney but spouses who are under financial constraints can do it themselves. Limited scope representation is a form of legal representation that allows an attorney to provide assistance to a spouse in the areas where they need it most - without breaking the bank. If you can assess the overall divorce process and determine where you really need help and where you do not, you may be able to reduce your legal fees. 

Leverage Mediation to Your Advantage

Mediation is one of the best ways spouses can make divorce more affordable. Trained mediators help spouses stay focused on arranging a divorce agreement that an Illinois judge will approve, rather than wasting time and money fighting out their differences in court. Mediation is designed to be a collaborative approach to solving problems, so you and your spouse can get your concerns heard and move towards a final divorce decree more quickly. 

Request Interim Alimony

Spousal support, also known as alimony, is sometimes awarded during an ongoing divorce process when one spouse is unemployed or acting as a stay-at-home parent. A judge may order the employed spouse to help pay for the other spouse’s attorney fees, making the entire process much more manageable. Interim spousal support is not automatic or guaranteed and will only be given with good cause shown. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with a DuPage County Divorce Lawyer

The experienced Naperville divorce attorneys at Pesce Law Group, P.C. understand that the prospect of financing divorce can be overwhelming. We are happy to meet with you, discuss your options, and help you plan your divorce. We offer free consultations and can identify cost-effective solutions to help you conserve your resources during this uncertain time. Call us at 630-352-2240 to schedule your confidential case review today. 

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+IV&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=3900000&SeqEnd=5400000