Familia y Seguridad

Rellene y firme su Comparecencia y Respuesta Respuesta formal por escrito a la declaración escrita del demandante  con este programa que creará los formularios por usted. Haga al menos 4 copias de cada formulario cuando haya terminado.

• Comparecencia: Esto le dice a la corte y a su cónyuge que usted está participando en el caso judicial. Debe presentar este formulario si quiere comparecer ante la corte. No se le permitirá explicar su versión del caso si no presenta este formulario.
• Respuesta: Una respuesta por escrito a la corte indicando si está de acuerdo Un acuerdo hecho por las dos partes de una demanda que arregla todos los problemas de un ju caso sin ir a un juicio o en desacuerdo con la Petición Una solicitud escrita a la corte de disolución del matrimonio que presentó su cónyuge. Usted debe responder a cada una de las afirmaciones numeradas en la Petición de disolución del matrimonio, ya sea admitiendo, negando o declarando que no puede admitir o negar Rechazar o decir no porque no tiene suficiente información para admitir o negar. Más información sobre cómo responder a una demanda.
• Contrapetición: Una petición por escrito en la que usted indica que también desea divorciarse de su cónyuge. Aunque es opcional, puede ser importante presentar una contrapetición de divorcio en caso de que su cónyuge deje de participar en el caso de divorcio. Usted puede entonces continuar con su propia contrapetición de divorcio.

Si no tiene dinero para pagar las cuotas judiciales, también debe rellenar:

• Solicitud de exención de cuotas judiciales (Application for Waiver of Court Fees): Este formulario solicita a la corte que no le exija el pago de la cuota judicial de presentación. Para saber a cuánto es la tarifa, póngase en contacto con la oficina del secretario de su circuito local.

Ahora que ya completó sus formularios, debe presentarlos ante el secretario del circuito correspondiente. Deberá presentarlos de forma electrónica ("e-file") a menos que tenga una exención. 

Usted esta obligado a notificar Entregar documentos judiciales a una persona a su cónyuge sobre su comparecencia y respuesta. Respuesta formal por escrito a la declaración escrita del demandante Una vez que reciba una copia sellada de sus formularios de parte del secretario de la corte, envíe una copia de su comparecencia y respuesta a su cónyuge a la dirección proporcionada en sus documentos judiciales. Si su cónyuge tiene un abogado, envíe una copia al abogado. Puede encontrar la información de contacto del abogado en la Petición Una solicitud escrita a la corte de Disolución del Matrimonio Divorcio (Petition for Dissolution of Marriage).

Debe notificar antes de las 5:00 pm el mismo día que presente los formularios ante el secretario de circuito.

Envíe las copias de la manera que indicó en el formulario de Notificación (Notice), ya sea por entrega personal, por correo o por correo electrónico. Solo puede enviar los formularios por correo electrónico si la otra parte está de acuerdo Un acuerdo hecho por las dos partes de una demanda que arregla todos los problemas de un ju caso sin ir a un juicio o si los está enviando al abogado de la otra parte.

Guarde una copia de cada formulario para sus registros.

The next step is preparing for the hearing in the divorce case. In an “uncontested case” where the spouses cooperate and agree to the divorce and all the terms, the hearing is called a “prove up” hearing. In a “contested case” where both spouses participate but disagree, this will be a “trial.”

You will need to bring a photo ID to this hearing. Put together a folder of all the forms and records filed in your case, including any motions or pleadings filed, like your Answer or Response.

Next, you will need to be prepared to explain your case to the judge.  Bring with you:

• A written statement or notes on how you will explain your case to the judge and what you will ask the judge to give you;
• A list of questions for any witnesses you plan to bring with you to help your case (written statements sometimes are not allowed); 
• A list of questions you have for witnesses your spouse plans to bring; and
• An original and two copies of any documents that are important to your case.

You should have received a court date and time on the written notice from the other party or circuit clerk. If you cannot find your court date and time, call the circuit clerk. In some counties, you may be able to get this information through the clerk’s online tracking system.

You have the right to represent yourself in court. However, you are expected to follow the court's rules and procedures. Note that most people who work in the courthouse cannot give you legal advice. This means they cannot help you decide what to do, evaluate your possibility of success, or present your argument to the judge. If this is your first time going to court, learn more about the process of going to court in Illinois.

Follow these suggestions when going to court:

• Be polite and dress the way you would for a job interview.
• Get to the courthouse at least 30-45 minutes before your hearing time.
  • If your court appearance is virtual, log in a few minutes early. You should be in a quiet, distraction-free place without background noise. Make sure you know how to connect to audio and unmute yourself to speak. Learn more about remote appearances.
• Go to the courtroom number on your court forms. If your forms do not have a courtroom number, look for a list of cases at the courthouse or ask the circuit clerk.
  • If your court appearance is virtual, the login information should be on your court order. If you do not have your court order, ask the judge’s coordinator for the login information or call the circuit clerk.
• Check in with the judge’s clerk or coordinator sitting on either side of the judge’s seat.
• Tell the clerk or coordinator your name and line number (you may have to sit outside the courtroom).
  • If your court appearance is virtual, give the clerk and coordinator your name, your spouse’s name, and your case number. Make sure the name listed for you in the virtual program window is your full legal name.
• Listen for your name or your line number to be called, and then step up to the bench.
• You may be sworn to tell the truth, so answer the questions truthfully.
• Since your spouse filed for the divorce, they will go first in the hearing. They will have the opportunity to present their information. You will have the chance to ask your spouse and their witnesses questions and review the documents they bring. You will have an opportunity to explain to the judge why they should not consider the documents in their final decision.
• The judge will then give you the opportunity to explain to them what you want in the final divorce judgment and other orders, and whether you have documents to give them or witnesses you want to question. The judge can ask you and your witnesses questions. Your spouse can also ask the witnesses and you questions.
• After listening to you and your spouse, the judge will tell you what happens next. The judge may make a decision and sign the final judgment and orders. The judge may also decide to set a new court date because they need more information or mail you the judgment and order at a later time.

It is important to get copies of what orders are signed that day, including the final divorce judgment. You will need file-stamped copies of these orders for your records.