Illinois Family Law Insider

Illinois Divorce & Taxes: Should You File Jointly or Separately? - #70

Sterling Lawyers

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0:00 | 5:05

Tax season during a separation or divorce in Illinois comes with a question most people aren't prepared for: do you file jointly with a spouse you no longer trust — or separately, knowing it might cost you more? Jeff Hughes, attorney and founder at Sterling Law Offices, walks through how marital status controls your filing options, when joint filing creates real liability, and how to think through this decision when the financial picture isn't fully clear.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

  • How your December 31 marital status determines your filing options
  • Why filing jointly usually saves money — and when that math doesn't matter
  • The liability risk of signing a joint return during divorce
  • When filing separately protects you even if it costs more
  • Illinois-specific situations where separate filing becomes especially important

Listen in to discover how to make the filing decision that protects your finances and legal position — instead of signing onto a return that creates problems you didn't see coming.