Practice resources

These resources are written for legal professionals doing legal aid or pro bono work. If you do not have legal training, they may be difficult to understand. Visit resources from the main menu for legal information written and designed for the public. Note: IICLE resources are only available to legal aid employees.

Family & Safety Resources
Divorce
(4 resources)
Motion to modify the allocation of parental responsibilities
Use this form to change the allocation of parental responsibility or child support.
Form download
Allocation of parental responsibilities order
Use this form to accompany an Order for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
Form download
Counter-petition for allocation of parental responsibilities
Use this form to ask the judge to give you parental responsibilities when the other parent has already filed a petition.
Form download
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
A lawyer resource on drafting, negotiating, and enforcing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements in Illinois. 2026 edition.
IICLE
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Child custody
(4 resources)
Motion to modify the allocation of parental responsibilities
Use this form to change the allocation of parental responsibility or child support.
Form download
Allocation of parental responsibilities order
Use this form to accompany an Order for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
Form download
Counter-petition for allocation of parental responsibilities
Use this form to ask the judge to give you parental responsibilities when the other parent has already filed a petition.
Form download
Family Law: Child-Related Issues in Dissolution Actions
A lawyer resource on Illinois family law issues involving parentage, parental responsibilities, parenting time, and child support. 2026 Edition.
IICLE
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Safety from abuse or assault
(4 resources)
Service on the Respondent
This is a chapter in our Orders of Protection lawyer manual. It covers how to serve the respondent, as well as enforcement of the EOP.
Lawyer Manuals
Response by Respondent
This is a chapter in our Orders of Protection lawyer manual. It covers how a respondent can respond to being served with a Petition.
Lawyer Manuals
Issues Involving Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency
Gives information about situations involving abuse, neglect, or dependency.
Lawyer Manuals
After plenary order is in effect
This is a chapter in our Orders of Protection lawyer manual. It covers what happens after a plenary OP is in effect, like how it can be terminated or modified.
Lawyer Manuals
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Child and elder abuse
(4 resources)
Issues Involving Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency
Gives information about situations involving abuse, neglect, or dependency.
Lawyer Manuals
Relief available for abused, neglected, or dependent children
Gives information about the types of relief available for abused, neglected, or dependent children.
Lawyer Manuals
Illinois Parentage Act of 2015
Gives information about the Illinois Parentage Act, and the parent-child relationship.
Lawyer Manuals
Children's law and Illinois Parentage Act
Gives information about Children's law and the Illinois Parentage Act.
Lawyer Manuals
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Paternity or parentage
(4 resources)
Parentage and allocation petition for father
Use this form to ask a judge to establish parentage if you think you are the father of a child.
Form download
Parentage and allocation petition for mother
Use this form to ask a judge to establish parentage if you are the mother of a child.
Form download
Response to petition for parentage and allocation
Use this form to respond to a Petition for Parentage and Allocation that you received.
Form download
Notice to presumed parent
Use this form to tell the presumed parent of the child that you are filing a parentage and allocation petition.
Form download
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Parents' rights
(4 resources)
Relief available for abused, neglected, or dependent children
Gives information about the types of relief available for abused, neglected, or dependent children.
Lawyer Manuals
Emancipation and Required Authoritative Intervention
Provides information about minor emancipation and situations where authoritative intervention is required.
Lawyer Manuals
Responding to a DCFS investigation
The Family Defense Center (FDC) offers a manual for responding to a DCFS investigation and is written with the "wrongly accused" person in mind.
Link
Adoption Law
A lawyer resource on Illinois adoption law, including court procedures, types of adoption, contested cases, and parental consents. 2024 Edition
IICLE
Guardianship
(4 resources)
Illinois Parentage Act of 2015
Gives information about the Illinois Parentage Act, and the parent-child relationship.
Lawyer Manuals
Children's law and Illinois Parentage Act
Gives information about Children's law and the Illinois Parentage Act.
Lawyer Manuals
Special Topics involving Children Law
Gives information about various different type of topics associated with children law.
Lawyer Manuals
Special-Needs Trusts
This lawyer manual discusses how to draft an estate plan that avoids reductions of potential government benefits for the special needs child. 2024 edition
IICLE
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Emancipation
(4 resources)
Illinois Parentage Act of 2015
Gives information about the Illinois Parentage Act, and the parent-child relationship.
Lawyer Manuals
Emancipation and Required Authoritative Intervention
Provides information about minor emancipation and situations where authoritative intervention is required.
Lawyer Manuals
Children's law and Illinois Parentage Act
Gives information about Children's law and the Illinois Parentage Act.
Lawyer Manuals
Special Topics involving Children Law
Gives information about various different type of topics associated with children law.
Lawyer Manuals
Separation and annulment
(1 resources)
Family Law: Dissolutions of Marriage Court Proceedings
A lawyer resource on Illinois dissolution or marriage proceedings, including motions, trials, orders of protection, and postjudgment matters. 2024 edition.
IICLE
Child support and childcare
(1 resources)
Motion to modify the allocation of parental responsibilities
Use this form to change the allocation of parental responsibility or child support.
Form download
Injury or accident
(4 resources)
Understanding your legal medical rights for mental health
Information for people who get Mental Health and Developmental Disability services about your legal medical rights.
Text article
Available defenses for a defendant
Advanced level content. In an auto accident, defendants must raise affirmative defenses, particularly with respect to the actions of other parties, right away in the Answer.
Lawyer Manuals
Subrogation
Advanced level content. Subrogation is your insurance company’s right to recover money it pays to its insured, under first-party coverage, from third parties allegedly at fault.
Lawyer Manuals
Who are the proper defendants: agency and negligent entrustment
Who are the proper defendants: agency and negligent entrustment
Lawyer Manuals
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Marriage or civil union
(1 resources)
Estate Planning Forms and Commentary: Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives
This lawyer resource explains and provides sample forms for estate planning. It includes information about power of attorney for property, Illinois advance health care directives, premarital agreements, and guardianships. 2026 edition.
IICLE
Other family and safety issues
(2 resources)
Estate Planning Forms and Commentary: Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives
This lawyer resource explains and provides sample forms for estate planning. It includes information about power of attorney for property, Illinois advance health care directives, premarital agreements, and guardianships. 2026 edition.
IICLE
Child Welfare Law: Neglected, Abused, and Dependent Minors
A lawyer resource on Illinois child welfare cases involving abuse, neglect, court proceedings, placement, and parental rights. 2024 edition
IICLE