Two parents and child

Family & Safety

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Divorce
Divorce is the legal process of ending a marriage. You can get a divorce without a lawyer. But it can be difficult, especially if you have children or property.
Can I stay in the US if I divorce my sponsoring spouse?
Explains issues that can arise when a person divorces their spouse who has sponsored them for immigration to the US.
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Family Law: Dissolutions of marriage court proceedings
Court proceedings related to marriage dissolutions, including trials, enforcement of judgments, and orders of protection. 2024 edition.
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Filing for divorce
(20 resources)
Divorce
This Easy Form helps you make the forms to get a divorce. You can use it if you and your spouse have children together or if you do not. It also works if you want to make forms to end a civil union.
Easy Form
Getting a divorce
Learn about what to expect in a divorce, who can start a case, how long it takes, and what’s decided in a divorce.
Guide
Filing costs in a divorce
Learn more about the costs and fees associated with the divorce process in Illinois.
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Legal separation
Learn about what a legal separation is, how it’s different from a divorce, and how to get one.
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Getting a divorce with children
This how-to explains the process of getting a divorce, from making forms to going to court. Use if you and your spouse have children together.
How-To
Getting a divorce with no children
This how-to explains the process of getting a divorce, from making forms to going to court. Use if you and your spouse don’t have children together.
How-To
Joint simplified divorce with no children
Learn about a quicker process for getting a divorce in Illinois. You and your spouse must agree on the terms and not have any children together.
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I want to divorce someone who cannot be found
When divorcing a spouse, there are legal requirements to notify them. Learn about options if they cannot be located.
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Divorce and parental responsibilities
Advanced level content. Information on dissolution, divorce, common-law marriage, separation, child support, custody, and visitation.
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Joint simplified divorce - Cook County
Use this Easy Form to file an uncontested divorce with no children. You and your spouse must agree on all terms. Only for use in Cook County.
Easy Form
Withdrawing a petition for divorce
A person who filed for a divorce might change their mind and want to stop the case. Learn about the steps needed.
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I want to divorce someone in jail or prison
Explains how to divorce your spouse if they are in jail or in prison.
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I want to divorce someone who lives outside Illinois
Explains how to divorce someone who is not living in Illinois.
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Parent education program in divorce
Explains the parent education class required for court cases involving custody or visitation.
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What is a contested or uncontested divorce?
Learn about uncontested and contested divorces and explore how the agreements or differences may affect your case.
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Divorce in military families
Learn about how a divorce is different when one spouse is in the military
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Joint simplified divorce - Lake County
Use this form to file for a joint simplified divorce. Only for use in Lake County.
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Family Law: Child-Related Issues in Dissolution Actions
Attorney resource that explains parentage; parental time and responsibilities; child support; and the impact of abuse in custody cases. 2022 Editon.
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Elements of Illinois law: Domestic relations and juvenile law
Manual on domestic relations and juvenile law, including editable forms. 2023 Edition.
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Family law: Property and financial aspects of dissolution actions
Attorney resource that explains financial and property aspects of dissolution of marriage, such as maintenance, tax, and retirement assets. 2023 edition.
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Responding to divorce
(5 resources)
Filing costs in a divorce
Learn more about the costs and fees associated with the divorce process in Illinois.
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Appearance form for divorce
Use this form to participate in a divorce case someone else has started against you.
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Responding to a divorce case
This how-to helps explore your options after your spouse has filed for divorce. Learn about the process and what happens if you do nothing.
How-To
Next steps after a spouse files for divorce
Learn about what happens if your spouse has filed for divorce and find out what to do next.
Guide
Elements of Illinois law: Domestic relations and juvenile law
Manual on domestic relations and juvenile law, including editable forms. 2023 Edition.
IICLE
Enforcing a court order for divorce
(3 resources)
Petition for rule to show cause - Family law cases
This program will create a Petition for Rule to Show Cause to help you enforce an earlier court order. Use it for Illinois family law orders, involving child support, divorce judgments, allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting plans, or joint parenting agreements (custody or visitation).
Easy Form
Enforcing a court order for divorce
Learn about what to do when your ex-spouse doesn’t follow the divorce judgment.
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Petition to enroll a judgment of another state
Use this form to ask a judge to enforce or modify a divorce or custody judgment from another state.
Form download
Changing a court order for divorce
(2 resources)
Petition to enroll a judgment of another state
Use this form to ask a judge to enforce or modify a divorce or custody judgment from another state.
Form download
Changing a court order for divorce
A final divorce judgment may need to be changed in the future. Explore reasons why and how to change it.
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Another divorce issue
(19 resources)
Financial affidavit
This Easy Form helps you provide financial information and documents to the other party in family law cases. It makes the statewide Financial Affidavit (Family and Divorce Cases) forms.
Easy Form
What are maintenance payments after a divorce?
Judges first consider a set of factors to decide whether or not to order maintenance (formerly known as "spousal support" or "alimony"). If they decide to order it, there is a formula for deciding how much the payer must pay, and how long they must pay it for.
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Legal separation
Learn about what a legal separation is, how it’s different from a divorce, and how to get one.
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Dividing property and debt in a divorce
Explains how the court divides property between the two spouses.
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Dividing retirement accounts in a divorce
Explains when the court might divide retirement accounts between divorcing spouses.
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I want my marriage annulled
Defines annulment, outlines the process, and discusses special circumstances, like a marriage with children.
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Divorce and parental responsibilities
Advanced level content. Information on dissolution, divorce, common-law marriage, separation, child support, custody, and visitation.
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Order for Support
Use this form to have the judge in your child support case record their decision.
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Withdrawing a petition for divorce
A person who filed for a divorce might change their mind and want to stop the case. Learn about the steps needed.
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Notice of relocation
Use this form to tell the other parent that you plan to move to a different place with a child or children.
Form download
Child representatives, guardians ad litem (GAL), and attorneys for a child
Explains the difference between a child representative, guardian ad litem (GAL), and attorney for a child.
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Petition for invalidity of marriage
Use this form to tell the state that your marriage should be annulled and the legal reasons you should be able to annul it.
Form download
Affidavit of military service
Use this form in divorce cases to tell the judge whether your spouse is in active military service.
Form download
Factors that go into the family home in a divorce
Explains what the judge considers when they decide who gets to keep the family home.
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Is a court order needed for parental responsibilities?
Information regarding court orders for parental responsibilities and whether an order is required.
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Parental responsibilities or custody in same-sex marriages
A birthing parent's partner can become a child's legal parent, and couples without a birthing parent can adopt a child.
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Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Manual on pre- and post-marital agreements including negotiating, drafting, estate and tax planning considerations, etc. 2022 edition.
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Family law: Property and financial aspects of dissolution actions
Attorney resource that explains financial and property aspects of dissolution of marriage, such as maintenance, tax, and retirement assets. 2023 edition.
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Family law: Preliminary considerations in dissolution actions
Attorney resource that explains preliminary issues in divorce cases like attorneys' fees and absent spouse. Includes sample pleadings and discovery. 2023 Edition.
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