Can we use one lawyer for an uncontested divorce if we agree on everything?
No. One lawyer cannot ethically represent both you and your spouse. Even when spouses agree on everything, Illinois treats the two of you as opposing parties in the same legal proceeding — so a single lawyer cannot represent both sides of a divorce. That holds true in an uncontested case, and even if you both want it and would gladly sign a waiver. It's a conflict of interest that consent can't cure. Ill. R. Prof'l Conduct R. 1.7; ISBA Advisory Op. 98-06.
Here's why it matters. A divorce judgment does far more than end a marriage. It allocates property, parenting time and parental responsibilities, child support and maintenance, retirement accounts, tax positions, and even estate and beneficiary rights. On every one of those, what benefits one spouse can come at a cost to the other — which means your legal interests aren't identical, no matter how aligned and friendly you feel today. A lawyer owes each client undivided loyalty and confidential advice, and no single lawyer can give that to two people whose interests could diverge.
What this means for you
Agreeing on everything doesn't mean each of you needs separate counsel locked in an adversarial fight. It just means the process has to respect that each of you has your own interests. In practice, an amicable, uncontested divorce usually works one of these ways:
One lawyer prepares the documents for one spouse. That lawyer represents only that spouse and turns your agreement into clear, court-ready paperwork. The other spouse proceeds without their own attorney and is always free to have the documents independently reviewed before signing — but the drafting lawyer can't advise both of you.
Mediation. A neutral mediator helps the two of you reach agreement together. The mediator doesn't represent either spouse and doesn't take sides, and either of you can still have a lawyer review the final terms.
Collaborative divorce. Each spouse has their own collaborative-trained lawyer, and everyone commits in writing to settling out of court.
All three are cooperative, streamlined, and built for couples who are on the same page — none of them require pretending your interests are the same.
If you and your spouse already agree on the outcome, we can help turn that agreement into a clean, court-ready divorce while keeping the whole process respectful, efficient, and honest about protecting each of you.