Separation or Divorce?

A seperation is not a divorce. A divorce legally establishes you are not married. During a seperation, you are still legally married. You do not need an attorney for a seperation, simply live seperate.

If I were you I'd ask an IL divorce lawyer and not rely on the other answer. In CA you can file either for a legal separation or a divorce. A legal separation leaves you married but divides the marital estate and ends the marital community. I don't know if the same is possible in IL; most people who opt for this do so for religious reasons. You cannot legally separate just by walking out the door as Mr. Raschid states.

Many attorneys in Chicago will charge less for a separation than for a divorce.

I hope that anwers your question.

Allow me to correct my earlier response. You cannot simply walk out the door and be considered legally seperated, even though you are living seperate. You need a court order to be legally seperated. Usualy attorneys charge less for a seperation agreement.