What is Filing For Divorce "Pro Se" in Illinois?

 Posted on February 04, 2026 in Divorce

You may have heard the term "pro se" and wondered what it means. Pro se is a Latin phrase that means "for oneself." In legal terms, filing for divorce pro se means you are representing yourself in court without hiring an attorney.

Some people choose to file pro se because they want to save money on legal fees or because they believe their divorce is simple enough to handle alone. However, representing yourself in a divorce case comes with major challenges and risks. An Arlington Heights divorce attorney can explain the process and help you decide if filing pro se in 2026 is worth the risk.

What Do You Have to Do if You File for Divorce Pro Se in Illinois?

When you file for divorce pro se, you are responsible for every aspect of your case. This includes:

• Filling out and filing all court documents
• Following court procedures and deadlines
• Gathering and organizing financial documents
• Negotiating with your spouse or their attorney
• Understanding how Illinois divorce law affects your case
• Presenting your case in court

The court will hold you to the same legal standards as an attorney. This means that if any part of the paperwork or legal work is done incorrectly, your case can be seriously delayed or even dismissed. Per the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct, judges cannot give you legal advice or help you with your case.

When Would Filing for Divorce Pro Se Make Sense?

In very limited situations, filing pro se might be straightforward enough to be a good option if:

• Both spouses agree on all terms of the divorce
• The couple has no children together
• The couple owns little or no property
• The couple has no debts
• The couple has been married for only a short time

Remember that even in apparently simple cases, mistakes in paperwork or missed deadlines can cause major problems.

What Are the Risks of Filing Pro Se in Illinois?

If you do not have much legal knowledge, there’s a good chance you won’t understand all of your rights in a divorce. Property division errors are common in pro se divorces. Per Illinois law 750 ILCS 5/503(d)(2), marital property is divided fairly (though not always equally). Without understanding what counts as marital property, you might give up assets you have a legal right to keep.

Debts are also divided in a divorce. A mistake in the debt divisions could mean you pay substantial money towards your spouse’s debt that you did not have to.

If you have children, your divorce will involve decisions about parental responsibilities and parenting time. Courts look at many factors when making decisions about child custody. Without legal guidance, you might agree to arrangements that reduce your time with your child or put them in bad custody situations.

Illinois courts also use certain formulas for things like child and spousal support. These calculations can be complicated, and any errors can cost you thousands of dollars over the years.

What Happens if My Spouse Has a Divorce Attorney and I Do Not?

If this is the case, you are at a big disadvantage. Your spouse's attorney will know how to present evidence, make arguments, and protect your spouse’s interests. They will understand court procedures and know about deadlines.

Your spouse's attorney cannot give you legal advice and has no duty to help you or explain your rights. In fact, their job is to not help you. Not having a lawyer for your case can lead to decisions that favor your spouse simply because they had professional representation.

Can I Start Pro Se and Hire a Lawyer Later?

You can hire an attorney at any point during your divorce, even if you initially filed pro se. However, waiting to hire legal help can create problems. If you have already made mistakes in your filings or missed important deadlines, your attorney will need to fix those problems. This can be more difficult and expensive than getting help from the start.

By the time they realize they need an attorney, many people have already agreed to bad terms or hurt their case. With Illinois laws changing all the time, having guidance from the beginning is more important than ever.

Call a Rolling Meadows Divorce Attorney Today

The potential long-term costs of divorce pro se can be far more than hiring an attorney from the start. Having an experienced Arlington Heights divorce lawyer on your side will protect you now and in the future.

At the Law Offices of Donald J. Cosley, Attorney Cosley personally handles all aspects of his cases. When you have questions, you will speak with him, your legal representative. You will not be passed off to a paralegal or call center. Attorney Cosley can guide you through every step of the divorce process and help you avoid costly mistakes. Contact us at 847-253-3100 today for a free consultation.