What Can Slow Down a Divorce?

 Posted on May 29, 2026 in Divorce

No one wants to deal with a long, drawn-out divorce and all the fees that come with it. Yet, despite the spouses’ best efforts, some cases end up prolonged for a year or longer before they are resolved. Every divorce case is different, with varying reasons for blockages or delays. A Kendall County, IL family law attorney can help you take measures to keep your divorce moving smoothly.

At Goostree Law Group, we have decades of divorce experience. We can use our deep understanding of divorce law to your advantage, looking for ways to streamline the process while still protecting your best interests. 

Are Longer Divorces More Expensive in Illinois?

The longer a divorce takes, the more it tends to cost. Attorney fees accumulate over time. Court filings add up. When both spouses are paying separate lawyers to negotiate, litigate, and respond to each other for months or years, the total expense can grow significantly.

Cost is not the only concern. A prolonged divorce keeps your life on hold. It can affect your finances, your housing situation, your relationship with your children, and your ability to move forward. Understanding what causes divorces to drag out is the first step toward avoiding it.

Four Common Reasons for Longer Divorces in Illinois

Some divorces take longer than others, and it is rarely by accident. Certain situations make resolution harder to reach, and knowing what they are can help you and your attorney prepare for them.

Dividing a Business

When one or both spouses own a business, the divorce becomes more complicated. A business has to be valued, and that process takes time. Experts may be hired to assess what the business is worth, how much either spouse contributed to it, and how it should be treated under Illinois law. 

Disputes over the valuation are common. Each valuation method can produce a different number, and spouses may hire competing experts who arrive at very different conclusions. The income approach estimates what the business is worth based on how much money it is expected to generate in the future. The market approach compares the business to similar businesses that have recently been sold. The asset approach adds up the value of what the business owns and subtracts what it owes.

Disagreements Over Property, Spousal Support, or Custody

Disagreements over how to divide the marital home, retirement accounts, or other property can extend a case by months. Spousal support disputes often involve arguments about income, earning capacity, and the length of the marriage. 

Child custody conflicts can be among the most time-consuming of all, especially when both parents have strong and opposing views about what is best for their children. Any one of these issues can stall a case. If the case goes to trial, a judge decides the issues that the spouses could not resolve on their own. Hearing dates are not always available quickly, and continuances can push timelines out further.

Divorcing Without Legal Representation

Some people choose to handle their own divorce without an attorney. In most cases, going without legal representation slows things down. Paperwork can end up filed incorrectly. Deadlines may be missed. Judges may send filings back for correction. What seems like a cost-saving choice at the start can end up costing more in time, stress, and errors that have to be undone later.

One Spouse Refuses To Cooperate

Illinois requires that a divorce be based on irreconcilable differences, meaning the marriage has broken down permanently, and there is no reasonable chance of saving it. The court will presume that irreconcilable differences exist if the spouses have lived separate and apart for at least six months before the judgment is entered (750 ILCS 5/401). 

If a spouse refuses to participate in the process or disputes that the marriage is over, it does not necessarily block the divorce, but it can slow it down. A spouse who ignores deadlines, refuses to respond to filings, or contests everything as a strategy rather than a sincere position adds time and cost to the case. Courts do have tools to address this behavior, but using them requires additional steps.

What Is the Fastest Way To Get a Divorce in 2026?

The fastest divorces in Illinois are usually uncontested ones. When both spouses agree on how to divide property, whether spousal support applies, and how custody and parenting time will be arranged, the case can move through the court system much more smoothly. There is still paperwork, still court involvement, and still a waiting period, but the back-and-forth that stretches contested cases out simply does not exist.

Reaching that kind of agreement usually requires honest communication and, in many cases, the help of attorneys who know how to negotiate efficiently. Mediation is another option. A neutral third party helps both spouses work through disagreements outside of court, which can reduce both cost and conflict.

Preparation also matters. Having financial documents organized, knowing what assets exist, and understanding your goals before negotiations begin can move things along. Delays often happen when one spouse does not have the information needed to make decisions. The more you and your attorney can prepare upfront, the fewer surprises there are later.

Remember, no two divorces are alike. A case that looks simple can become complicated if new disputes arise. A case that looks complicated can sometimes settle faster than expected if both parties are willing to compromise. The best way to understand how long your specific divorce might take is to speak with an attorney about your situation directly.

Meet With Our Kendall County, IL Divorce Lawyers

Divorce is rarely easy, but it does not have to be drawn out longer than necessary. At Goostree Law Group, we work with people in Yorkville and across Kendall County who need clear guidance and practical help through the divorce process. Whether your case is straightforward or not, we are here to help you understand your options. Call 630-584-4800 or contact our Yorkville, Illinois divorce attorneys to schedule a free consultation.