Belleville sits in St. Clair County and is served by the 20th Judicial Circuit. Anyone divorcing here files electronically through the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk, whose office sits on the 2nd floor of the courthouse on Public Square downtown. Whether your case is a quick uncontested filing or a contested matter with custody and property disputes, the same court hears it, and the same Illinois statutes apply. This page covers exactly where and how Belleville residents file, what it costs, and how long it takes.
Key Facts: Divorce in Belleville, Illinois
The table below summarizes the core logistics for filing a divorce as a Belleville resident in 2026. Every Belleville dissolution runs through the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk in the 20th Judicial Circuit, and Illinois imposes a 90-day residency requirement before a judge can finalize the judgment.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| County | St. Clair County (20th Judicial Circuit) |
| Filing court | St. Clair County Circuit Clerk, Family Division |
| Court address | 10 Public Square, 2nd Floor, Belleville, IL 62220 |
| Filing fee range | Approx. $268 (joint simplified) to roughly $350+ for a standard petition |
| Residency requirement | 90 days in Illinois before judgment (750 ILCS 5/401) |
| Waiting period | No mandatory pre-filing wait; ~30-day minimum processing |
| Property model | Equitable distribution (750 ILCS 5/503) |
How do I file for divorce in Belleville, Illinois?
To file for divorce in Belleville, you submit a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage electronically to the St. Clair County Circuit Clerk through Illinois eFileIL, then serve your spouse. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9 makes eFiling mandatory for all civil cases, including divorce, for both attorneys and self-represented filers. The court assigns your case to a 20th Circuit judge.
The practical sequence in St. Clair County looks like this:
- Confirm one spouse has lived in Illinois at least 90 days (required before judgment under 750 ILCS § 401).
- Prepare the Petition for Dissolution citing irreconcilable differences, the only ground Illinois has recognized since 2016.
- eFile through eFileIL and pay the filing fee, or apply for a fee waiver.
- Serve your spouse by sheriff or special process server, or have them sign a waiver.
- Exchange financial disclosures and resolve property, support, and parenting issues.
If you lack a computer, the Circuit Clerk maintains three public eFiling kiosks at the courthouse on Public Square.
Where do I file for divorce in Belleville? (which courthouse)
Belleville residents file at the St. Clair County Courthouse, located at 10 Public Square, Belleville, IL 62220, with the Circuit Clerk's office on the 2nd floor. The phone number is (618) 277-6600, and office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This single downtown courthouse handles all St. Clair County dissolution cases.
Because the courthouse sits directly on Public Square in the heart of downtown Belleville, most county residents file at the same building regardless of which neighborhood they live in, from West Main to the Signal Hill and Swansea borders. The Family Division processes petitions, and uncontested simplified hearings are heard at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with no uncontested hearings on Tuesdays. Even though filing is electronic, the assigned judge and courtrooms are physically located here.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Belleville?
A divorce lawyer in Belleville typically charges $250 to $400 per hour, with most attorneys requiring a retainer of $2,500 to $5,000 up front. An uncontested divorce often runs $1,500 to $3,500 in total fees, while a contested case involving custody, support, or significant property disputes commonly reaches $7,500 to $15,000 or more.
Those attorney fees are separate from court costs. The St. Clair County filing fee for a joint simplified dissolution is approximately $268, and a standard Petition for Dissolution generally runs higher once service and motion fees are added. Several variables push costs up or down:
- Contested custody or parenting disputes add hearings and guardian ad litem fees.
- Disagreements over marital property valuation require appraisals or experts.
- High-asset estates or business interests increase discovery work.
- Spousal maintenance disputes under 750 ILCS § 504 add complexity.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, Illinois lets you file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees, which the court may grant based on income. You can estimate your total exposure with the divorce cost estimator.
How long does a divorce take in Belleville?
An uncontested divorce in Belleville typically finalizes in 45 to 60 days, while contested cases generally take 6 to 18 months. Illinois imposes no mandatory pre-filing waiting period, but St. Clair County courts apply a roughly 30-day minimum processing window between filing and final judgment, so even the fastest agreed cases take about a month.
The single biggest factor is whether you and your spouse agree. When both parties sign off on parenting, property, and support terms, the 20th Circuit can move quickly. Contested matters slow down because of discovery, financial disclosures, mediation, and contested hearings. Illinois removed the old separation hurdle: living apart for 6 months creates an irrebuttable presumption of irreconcilable differences under 750 ILCS 5/401, but spouses can waive that period by mutual agreement and finalize sooner.
What are the residency requirements to file in St. Clair County?
To finalize a divorce in St. Clair County, at least one spouse must have been an Illinois resident for 90 days before the judgment is entered, under 750 ILCS 5/401. Only one spouse needs to meet this requirement, and military members stationed in Illinois count toward it. You may file your petition before the 90 days elapses, since the requirement governs judgment, not filing.
There is no separate Belleville or St. Clair County residency rule beyond the statewide 90-day standard. Venue is proper in St. Clair County when one spouse resides here. The 90-day clock is jurisdictional, meaning the judge cannot enter a final dissolution until it is satisfied, but the county imposes no additional local waiting period on top of the Illinois requirement.
How is property and custody handled in a Belleville divorce?
Illinois divides marital property by equitable distribution, not a 50/50 split, under 750 ILCS 5/503. The court allocates assets and debts acquired during the marriage in "just proportions," weighing factors like marriage length, each spouse's contributions, and economic circumstances. Homemaker contributions count equally to financial ones under 750 ILCS 5/503(d)(1).
For children, Illinois replaced "custody" with allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time under 750 ILCS § 602.7, applying a best-interests standard. Both parents are presumed fit, and courts will not restrict parenting time unless evidence shows the child would be seriously endangered. Spousal maintenance, when awarded, follows the statutory guideline formula in 750 ILCS 5/504: 33.3% of the payer's net income minus 25% of the recipient's, capped so the recipient's share stays under 40% of combined net income. Estimate figures using the child support calculator and alimony estimator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do both spouses have to live in Belleville to file here?
No. Only one spouse must reside in Illinois for 90 days before judgment under 750 ILCS 5/401, and venue is proper in St. Clair County if either spouse lives here. The non-resident spouse can still be a party, and military members stationed in Illinois satisfy the 90-day requirement.
What is the filing fee for divorce in St. Clair County?
The St. Clair County Circuit Clerk charges approximately $268 for a joint simplified dissolution as of 2026, payable by cash or money order, with standard petitions costing more once service and motion fees apply. Fee amounts change periodically, so confirm the current schedule with the Circuit Clerk at (618) 277-6600 before filing.
Can I get a divorce in Belleville without a lawyer?
Yes. Illinois allows self-represented filers to eFile through eFileIL, and the St. Clair County Courthouse provides three public eFiling kiosks. Self-representation works best for uncontested cases with no children, minimal property, and full agreement. Contested cases involving custody or significant assets typically benefit from an attorney's guidance.
How fast can an uncontested divorce finalize in Belleville?
An uncontested divorce in St. Clair County typically finalizes in 45 to 60 days. Illinois has no mandatory pre-filing wait, but courts apply roughly a 30-day minimum processing period. Spouses who agree on all terms can waive the 6-month separation presumption under 750 ILCS 5/401 and move directly to judgment.
Does Illinois still use fault grounds like adultery for divorce?
No. Illinois became a pure no-fault state on January 1, 2016, eliminating adultery, cruelty, and abandonment as grounds. The only recognized ground is irreconcilable differences that have caused an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage under 750 ILCS 5/401. Marital misconduct generally does not affect property division or parenting decisions.
How does Illinois divide a house bought during the marriage?
A home purchased during the marriage is presumed marital property under 750 ILCS 5/503, regardless of whose name holds the title, and the court divides it equitably rather than automatically 50/50. Judges weigh marriage length, contributions, and post-divorce economic circumstances. Spouses can also agree to sell, buy out, or co-own the home in their settlement.
Is spousal maintenance automatic in a Belleville divorce?
No. Maintenance under 750 ILCS 5/504 is not automatic; a court awards it only after finding genuine financial need and ability to pay across 14 statutory factors. When awarded, the guideline formula applies to combined incomes under $500,000: 33.3% of the payer's net income minus 25% of the recipient's net income.
Where is the St. Clair County divorce courthouse located?
The St. Clair County Courthouse is at 10 Public Square in downtown Belleville, IL 62220, with the Circuit Clerk's Family Division on the 2nd floor. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and can be reached at (618) 277-6600. All St. Clair County dissolution cases are handled here.