If your marriage is ending, your kids' future is on the line, or you need protection tonight, the questions hit fast: Do I need a reason to divorce? Will we split everything 50/50? When can I see my children? In Illinois the answers aren't what most people assume — there's no fault grounds anymore, no automatic even split, and the words 'custody' and 'visitation' don't even exist in the statute. You don't have to guess. Call our free hotline any hour and an AI assistant trained on Illinois family law and federal law will walk you through exactly how the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act applies to your situation. It's free legal information, not legal advice, and it creates no attorney-client relationship. Call 1-844-690-0555.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Illinois.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911, then the 24/7 Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-877-863-6338 (877-TO END DV), which answers in 240+ languages. If you need court protection, you can petition for an Emergency Order of Protection at your county circuit clerk's office the same day, with no filing or service fee and without a lawyer, using the Illinois Courts' standardized Order of Protection forms. For everything else — divorce, parenting time, property, support — write down your single most pressing question, then call us free at 1-844-690-0555. We'll tell you which Illinois statute and which division of your local Circuit Court governs your next move, before you spend a dollar on a lawyer.
Two facts blindside almost every Illinois spouse. First, Illinois is an equitable-distribution state, not community property: under 750 ILCS 5/503 the judge divides the marital estate 'in just proportions' by the statute's fairness factors, so an even split is never guaranteed, and a spouse who drained accounts can be charged back the loss. Second, since 2016 the words 'custody' and 'visitation' are gone from Illinois law — you now allocate 'parental responsibilities' and 'parenting time,' and each parent must file a proposed parenting plan within 120 days (750 ILCS 5/602.10). Walk in expecting an automatic 50/50 split and a 'custody battle' and you're arguing the wrong case under the wrong words. Before you assume anything, call us free at 1-844-690-0555 and we'll explain how these rules actually land on your facts.
If money is tight, Illinois has real, free family-law help — from same-day domestic-violence support to statewide self-help forms. These are independent organizations, not Legal Hotline, and not a substitute for talking through your own situation on our free line.
Do I need a reason to divorce in Illinois?
No. Since January 1, 2016 Illinois has only one ground — irreconcilable differences (750 ILCS 5/401). Fault grounds like adultery or cruelty were abolished, and they no longer affect the divorce itself. You just have to show the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Want to know how that plays out in your case? Call us free at 1-844-690-0555.
Can my spouse stop me from getting divorced?
No. Because Illinois is pure no-fault, one spouse cannot block a divorce. If your spouse refuses to cooperate, the case is 'contested,' which means you generally need to show you've lived 'separate and apart' for six months — and that can even be under one roof — but the divorce still proceeds. Call 1-844-690-0555 and we'll explain the contested timeline for free.
Will everything be split 50/50 in my Illinois divorce?
Not necessarily. Illinois is an equitable-distribution state, not community property. Under 750 ILCS 5/503 a judge divides only the marital estate, 'in just proportions' using the statutory factors — not automatically in half. Gifts and inheritances to you usually stay yours if you kept them separate. For how the factors apply to your assets, call us free at 1-844-690-0555.
How long do I have to live in Illinois before I can divorce here?
You (or your spouse) must have been an Illinois resident for 90 days before a judge can enter the divorce judgment; members of the armed forces stationed here qualify too. You file in the Circuit Court of a county where one of the spouses lives. Not sure you meet the residency rule? Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information.
How is alimony (maintenance) calculated in Illinois?
When the parties' combined gross income is under $500,000, Illinois uses a guideline formula: 33⅓% of the payor's net income minus 25% of the payee's net, capped so the recipient's total doesn't exceed 40% of the combined net income (750 ILCS 5/504). Duration scales with how long you were married. Above $500k, it's judicial discretion. Call 1-844-690-0555 to walk through your numbers free.
How does child support work in Illinois?
Illinois uses the 'Income Shares' model under 750 ILCS 5/505: both parents' net incomes go into a state schedule (last revised effective March 5, 2025) to set a combined support obligation, which is then divided between the parents in proportion to income. HFS runs a free official estimator. For help reading your estimate, call us free at 1-844-690-0555.
What happened to 'custody' and 'visitation' in Illinois?
They're gone from the statute. Since 2016 Illinois allocates 'parental responsibilities' — the decision-making power (750 ILCS 5/602.5) — and 'parenting time' (750 ILCS 5/602.7), both judged by the child's best interests. Each parent must file a proposed parenting plan within 120 days (750 ILCS 5/602.10). To understand what that means for seeing your kids, call 1-844-690-0555 free.
How do I get an emergency order of protection in Illinois?
You can file a petition at your county circuit clerk's office the same day, with no filing or service fee, and a judge can issue an Emergency Order of Protection ex parte (without the other person present) under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act (750 ILCS 60/). It lasts 14–21 days, so you must return for the plenary hearing. In danger now? Call 911, then the 24/7 helpline at 1-877-863-6338, then us at 1-844-690-0555.
How long does an order of protection last in Illinois?
An Emergency Order of Protection lasts only 14–21 days and is meant as a stopgap. To get lasting protection you must appear at the plenary hearing, where a judge can grant a Plenary Order of Protection for up to two years — renewable, with no cap on renewals. Violating an order of protection is a criminal offense. We can explain the steps for free — call 1-844-690-0555.
Can I change a child support or maintenance order after divorce?
Yes, but only if you show a 'substantial change in circumstances' (750 ILCS 5/510), and relief is not retroactive — arrears keep accruing until you actually file the petition. Under Public Act 103-967 (effective Jan. 1, 2025), maintenance now even keeps accruing while a payor is incarcerated, so the obligation doesn't just pause. Don't wait — call 1-844-690-0555 first for free information on whether you qualify.
Which Illinois court handles my divorce or parenting case?
All of it — divorce, property, support, parenting time, and orders of protection — is heard in the Domestic Relations or Family Division of your county's Circuit Court. There's no separate 'family court' in Illinois, and large counties like Cook, DuPage and Lake run dedicated divisions. We can tell you which division and clerk's office fits your county for free — call 1-844-690-0555.
Is this free hotline the same as hiring a lawyer?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender, and we give legal information, not legal advice, so the call creates no attorney-client relationship. We help you understand Illinois family law and your options, and if you want a lawyer, we can help you book a paid consultation with an Illinois-licensed family attorney. Start free at 1-844-690-0555.
Are you an Illinois-licensed family law attorney handling divorce, allocation of parental responsibilities, support, or orders of protection across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane or a downstate circuit? We connect Illinois callers who need representation with vetted local attorneys. If you'd like to receive client referrals from this hotline, get in touch to join our network. (This is a path for attorneys only — callers seeking help should dial 1-844-690-0555.)
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
You don't have to face an Illinois family court matter confused and alone, and you don't have to spend a cent to understand it. Call 1-844-690-0555 now — free, 24/7 — and an AI assistant trained on Illinois family law and federal law will explain exactly where you stand and what to do next. It's legal information, not legal advice, and creates no attorney-client relationship — just a clear first step, any hour of the day or night.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.