Two parents and child

Family & Safety

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Parental responsibilities (custody and visitation)
The term "custody" is no longer used in the law. It is now called "parental responsibilities." This includes parenting time (formerly "visitation") and decision-making power. Our resources explain these issues.
Am I responsible for my child after they turn 18?
Information about what a parent's duties are to their children after the age of 18 and what parents can do.
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My ex Is dating a sex offender. What do I do?
Learn more about options parents have if they are concerned the other parent is dating or marrying a sex offender.
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Getting parental responsibilities (custody and visitation)
(17 resources)
Parenting plan
This Easy Form will help you make a plan to set parental responsibilities (formerly "custody") and parenting time (formerly "visitation").
Easy Form
Petition for allocation of parental responsibilities
Use this form to ask the judge to give you parental responsibilities for a child. This includes parenting time (visitation) and decision-making power (custody).
Form download
Starting a case to get parental responsibilities or custody
Learn more about the steps to get parental responsibilities (formerly known as custody) of a child.
How-To
Getting parental responsibilities of a child
Explains how to get legal duties to make important decisions for a child and spend time with them. Formerly known as "custody" and "visitation."
Guide
Allocation of parental responsibilities order
Use this form to accompany an Order for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
Form download
Divorce and parental responsibilities
Advanced level content. Information on dissolution, divorce, common-law marriage, separation, child support, custody, and visitation.
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Getting visitation rights as a grandparent or step parent
Explains how to get a court order forcing parents to let you spend time with a child who is your grandchild or step-daughter or step-son.
Guide
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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Order for allocation of parental responsibilities/parentage
Use this form to accompany a motion to modify the allocation of parental responsibilities.
Form download
604B evaluation
Learn more about what a 604B evaluation is and how it's used in parental responsibilities cases (formerly known as "custody" cases).
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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
What a non-parent has to prove to get visitation with a child
Explains what someone has to prove to the judge before the court will allow them to visit against the parent's wishes.
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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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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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Length of Illinois residency for filing a parental responsibilities case
Learn more about residency requirements in Illinois in order to file a parental responsibilities case (formerly known as "custody").
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Child welfare law: Neglected, abused, and dependent minors
Explains minors' rights, child protection mediation, pretrial and trial issues, dispositions, and termination of parental rights in Illinois. 2024 edition
IICLE
Changing parental responsibilities (custody and visitation)
(18 resources)
Parenting plan
This Easy Form will help you make a plan to set parental responsibilities (formerly "custody") and parenting time (formerly "visitation").
Easy Form
Motion to modify the allocation of parental responsibilities
Use this form to change the allocation of parental responsibility or child support.
Form download
Changing parental responsibilities (custody and visitation)
Explains how to change who makes important decisions for a child if the judge has already granted a court order.
Guide
How to change a parental responsibilities or custody order
Steps to change parental responsibilities also known as custody from the forms you need to how the court hearing works. If you do not already have a parental responsibilities court order, you can find out how to get one.
How-To
Allocation of parental responsibilities order
Use this form to accompany an Order for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
Form download
Moving with a child if I'm divorced or never married
Explains what you need to do if you have an order for parental responsibilities and you want to move with the child.
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Can I terminate my ex's parental rights?
Information about when and how parental rights can be terminated
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Make or change a parenting time schedule
A program to help you ask the court to change or set a more specific parenting time (visitation) schedule. The forms help you modify or specify parenting time.
Easy Form
Divorce and parental responsibilities
Advanced level content. Information on dissolution, divorce, common-law marriage, separation, child support, custody, and visitation.
Text article
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 to relocate
Use this form to ask a judge to change a parenting plan to let you move with your child to another place.
Form download
Order for allocation of parental responsibilities/parentage
Use this form to accompany a motion to modify the allocation of parental responsibilities.
Form download
604B evaluation
Learn more about what a 604B evaluation is and how it's used in parental responsibilities cases (formerly known as "custody" cases).
Text article
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
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
What a non-parent has to prove to get visitation with a child
Explains what someone has to prove to the judge before the court will allow them to visit against the parent's wishes.
Text article
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.
Text article
Enforcing parental responsibilities (custody and visitation)
(7 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
Parenting plan for parental responsibilities
Explains how to write a document that says who will make decisions for a child and how those decisions will be made.
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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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Enforcing a joint parenting plan or agreement
Steps to take when the other parent is not following your joint parenting plan or agreement.
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Enforcing a parental responsibilities order
Explains steps to take to enforce a parental responsibilities ("custody") order. Includes the forms you need and suggestions for going to court.
How-To
604B evaluation
Learn more about what a 604B evaluation is and how it's used in parental responsibilities cases (formerly known as "custody" cases).
Text article
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
Getting visitation with a child as a grandparent or other relative
(5 resources)
Divorce and parental responsibilities
Advanced level content. Information on dissolution, divorce, common-law marriage, separation, child support, custody, and visitation.
Text article
Getting visitation rights as a grandparent or step parent
Explains how to get a court order forcing parents to let you spend time with a child who is your grandchild or step-daughter or step-son.
Guide
Non-parent visitation petition
Use this form if you have been unreasonably denied visitation with one or more children, and you are not their parent. For example, a grandparent, step-parent, or sibling.
Form download
Starting a case to establish non-parent visitation
This how-to explains the steps to start a case to visit a child if you are not a parent.
How-To
What a non-parent has to prove to get visitation with a child
Explains what someone has to prove to the judge before the court will allow them to visit against the parent's wishes.
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Another parental responsibilities (custody and visitation) issue
(12 resources)
Moving with a child if I'm divorced or never married
Explains what you need to do if you have an order for parental responsibilities and you want to move with the child.
Text article
Divorce and parental responsibilities
Advanced level content. Information on dissolution, divorce, common-law marriage, separation, child support, custody, and visitation.
Text article
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.
Text article
Mediation for parenting issues
Explains how mediation is used in a court process that involves parents of children. This could be a divorce case or other case involving parenting issues.
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What a non-parent has to prove to get visitation with a child
Explains what someone has to prove to the judge before the court will allow them to visit against the parent's wishes.
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Getting a copy of a parental responsibilities order
Explains how to find a copy of the parental responsibilities order after one has been granted.
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My rights and responsibilities once parentage is established
A parent has the right to parenting time (visitation) with a child. They can also ask for decision-making power over the child. They must also pay child support.
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My child is abducted or kidnapped. What should I do?
Explains how to charge the other parent who takes your child or defend yourself if accused of child abduction.
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Length of Illinois residency for filing a parental responsibilities case
Learn more about residency requirements in Illinois in order to file a parental responsibilities case (formerly known as "custody").
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Getting ready for emancipation
A guide for DCFS youth to make emancipation decisions and to step into independence and self-sufficiency.
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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.
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