Cook County Divorce Checklist
Every deadline, every form, every statute cite. A comprehensive guide with Financial Affidavit timelines, discovery rules, and expert costs for Cook County dissolution cases.
Quick Answer: Cook County Divorce Filing Requirements
Under 750 ILCS 5/503, Cook County divorce requires filing CCR0001 Petition at Daley Center Room 802, serving your spouse within 30 days, and submitting CCR0101 Financial Affidavit within 28-42 days (mandatory disclosures include 3-year tax returns, pay stubs, insurance proof). Contested cases take 12-24 months; uncontested cases resolve in 3-4 months. Filing fee: $337.
Attorney Jonathan D. Steele, Esq. handles Cook County domestic relations cases at Beermann LLP.
At-a-Glance Summary
- Key Statutes: 750 ILCS 5/503 (property), 5/504 (maintenance), 5/602.5 & 5/602.7 (parental responsibilities)
- Venue: Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, Chicago. Domestic Relations Intake Room 802. eFiling mandatory.
- First 30 Days: Financial Affidavit (CCR0101) + mandatory disclosures due inside 28-42 days
- Mediation: Required for parenting issues (Cook Co. Local Rule 13.5). Complete within ~60 days.
- Dissipation Window: Typically 3-5 years pre-filing; missing response = deemed admitted (Rule 216)
- Maintenance Cap: (33.33% x Payor Gross) - (25% x Recipient Gross), capped at 40% combined
Required Documents (3-Year Lookback)
Tax Returns & Income
- 1040 + Schedules A/B/C/D/E/F; 8879 e-file auth
- W-2, all 1099 (MISC/NEC/INT/DIV/R), K-1s
- Last 3 pay stubs
- IRS transcripts for any gaps
Legal Basis: 750 ILCS 5/503(c)(1) - mandatory disclosure of all income sources
Retirement Accounts
- Plan type, current balance, Summary Plan Description
- Statements: date of marriage & separation (marital portion)
- Beneficiary designations
- QDRO timeline: 12-16 weeks ($500-2,000)
K-1 Forensics (Self-Employed)
- Line 1: Ordinary business income/loss
- Line 4a: Guaranteed payments = salary equivalent
- Line 13: Other deductions (personal spend?)
- Line 14: Self-employment earnings
- Line 20: "Other info" - hidden assets often here
Real Estate & Assets
- Deeds, mortgage statements, HELOC balances
- Property tax bills (3 years)
- Insurance declarations pages
- Vehicle titles and loan statements
Key Illinois Statutes
750 ILCS 5/503 (Property Division)
Non-Marital Property: Premarital, gift/legacy, after legal separation, excluded by agreement, post-judgment.
2016 Amendment: Appreciation on non-marital property stays non-marital; marital estate may seek reimbursement if marital funds contributed.
750 ILCS 5/504 (Maintenance)
Formula: (33.33% x Payor) - (25% x Recipient); cap 40% combined income
| Marriage Length | Duration |
|---|---|
| 0-5 years | 20% of marriage |
| 5-10 years | 40% |
| 10-15 years | 60% |
| 15-20 years | 80% |
| 20+ years | Permanent or length of marriage |
Cook County Filing Procedures
Where to File
- Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, Room 802
- Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
- eFiling mandatory: circuit.cookcountycourt.org
Initial Filing Documents
- CCR0001 Petition for Dissolution
- CCR0002 Summons
- CCR0003 UCCJEA (if children involved)
- CCR0101 Financial Affidavit (due within 30 days)
- Parenting Plan or proposed Allocation Judgment
- Filing Fee: $337 (2025) | Fee waiver: CCG0001
Service Options
| Method | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Sheriff | $50 | 2-4 weeks |
| Private Server | $75-150 | 3-7 days |
| Publication | $200-400 | 3+ weeks |
Warning: Incomplete petitions are dismissed. One missing CCR form = restart the 6-month clock.
Discovery Rules & Expert Costs
Discovery Deadlines
- Interrogatories (SCR 213): 30 per party, 28 days to respond
- Requests for Production (SCR 214): No limit, 28 days
- Requests for Admission (SCR 216): 30 requests, 28 days - silence = admitted
- Depositions (SCR 206): Reasonable number, 7 days' notice
Dissipation Claims (750 ILCS 5/503(d)(2))
Use of marital funds for non-marital purpose during breakdown. Window: 3-5 years pre-filing. Burden: accuser shows prima facie; accused must explain.
Expert Witness Costs
| Expert Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Forensic Accountant | $5,000 - $25,000 |
| Business Valuator | $3,000 - $15,000 |
| Real Estate Appraiser | $300 - $1,500 |
| Vocational Expert | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Guardian ad Litem | $5,000 - $15,000 |
Case Timeline Comparison
Uncontested
3-4 Months
- Weeks 1-2: File + serve
- Weeks 3-4: Appearance
- Weeks 5-8: Disclosures, negotiate
- Weeks 9-10: MSA draft
- Weeks 11-14: Prove-up
Cost: $3K - $7K
Contested
12-24 Months
- Months 1-2: Filing, service
- Months 3-6: Discovery, depositions
- Months 7-8: Mediation
- Months 9-12: Pre-trial motions
- Months 13-16: Trial
Cost: $25K - $100K+
Joint Simplified
1-2 Months
Requirements (750 ILCS 5/452):
- <8-year marriage
- No children/pregnancy
- Assets < $50K
- Combined income < $60K
Cost: $500 - $1,500
Your Action Checklist
- Pull 3 years of 1040s + schedules, W-2/1099/K-1s; get IRS transcripts for any gaps
- Collect retirement plan statements (marriage & separation dates), SPDs, beneficiary forms; calendar QDRO prep
- Complete Financial Affidavit (CCR0101) within 30 days; assemble pay stubs, insurance cost proof, asset/debt list
- Map dissipation window (3-5 years); identify bank/credit/crypto forensics; issue Rule 216 RFAs early
- Budget for experts (forensic accountant, appraiser, valuator) based on business/real estate complexity
- For parenting cases: prepare proposed Allocation Judgment; note Local Rule 13.5 mediation timeline
- Set service plan (private server if timing matters); confirm fee waiver eligibility if needed
Don't Navigate This Alone
One missed deadline can cost months. One overlooked asset can cost thousands. Get strategic guidance from an attorney who handles Cook County divorces daily.
Filing Without This Checklist Costs You 6+ Months. Cook County judges dismiss incomplete petitions.