Lake County court filing fees
These are the fees the Lake county circuit clerk lists on its own fee schedule. We read them on Sep 28, 2026. The newest date printed on the schedule is Sep 16, 2026.
| Fee | Amount | What the schedule says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce (dissolution of marriage) petition | $339 Dissolution with Children (DC) and Dissolution No Children (DN) both $339.00 (base schedule 1). Same for civil union dissolution, invalidity, legal separation. | "DISSOLUTION WITH CHILDREN (DC) ... Dissolution 1 $339.00" schedule dated Sep 16, 2026 | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
| Response or appearance in a divorce | $214 Standard appearance fee in DC/DN dissolution cases (Appearance Schedule 1). General civil appearance is also $214.00. | "Appearance Fee Standard 1 - Appearance $214.00" schedule dated Sep 16, 2026 | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
| Small claims case | $114 Up to $2,500 = $114.00; $2,500.01 to $10K = $284.00. | "Contract (Up to $2,500.00) 3 $114.00" schedule dated Sep 16, 2026 | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
| Opening an estate (probate) | $284 Administration of Decedent's Estate, flat new-case fee (schedule 2); not stated as value-tiered. | "Administration of Decedent's Estate 2 $284.00" schedule dated Sep 16, 2026 | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
| Name change petition | $339 Listed under Miscellaneous Remedy (MR); not distinguished adult/minor. | "Change of Name 1 $339.00" schedule dated Sep 16, 2026 | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
| Eviction case | $189 Residential possession only $189.00; Residential (with money claim) $359.00; Commercial possession only $114.00; Commercial $284.00. | "Residential - Possession Only 3 $189.00" schedule dated Sep 16, 2026 | lakecountycircuitclerk.org |
Court fees are separate from a lawyer's fee, and they change. Confirm the current amount with the Lake county circuit clerk (lakecountycircuitclerk.org) before you file. Some courts waive fees for people who qualify; the clerk can tell you how to ask.
Firms in Lake county that publish prices
- Law Office of Nikola Hrisova Lincolnshire - Family
- Lohse Law Vernon Hills - Real estate
- R.I.S.E. Mediation Deer Park - Mediation
- Ryan, Ryan & Viglione Waukegan - Personal injury
- The Law Office of Marjorie Sher Waukegan - Family
- The Virtual Attorney Lake Villa - Business, Estate planning
- White Scott & White Lake Bluff - Family