A Chicago family court matter may involve several offices and services. The judge’s calendar, the Clerk’s filing system, statewide forms, and assistance programs each serve a different purpose.
This directory helps you identify the resource that matches your next task. It focuses on Cook County divorce and parenting matters while also connecting readers with Illinois tools and legal assistance information.
Understand the Court and Clerk’s Different Roles
Circuit Court of Cook County: Domestic Relations Division
The court’s Domestic Relations Division provides information about proceedings involving divorce, parental responsibilities, parenting time, maintenance, support, and related issues.
Visit the Cook County Domestic Relations Division
Start here for court procedures, division resources, and links to programs.
Clerk of the Circuit Court: Domestic Relations Division
The Clerk’s Office provides filing and administrative information associated with domestic relations cases.
Visit the Clerk’s Domestic Relations Division page
Use this resource when investigating filing, document processing, and related administrative tasks.
Neither court staff nor Clerk’s Office personnel can evaluate settlement terms or advise you about which legal arguments to make.
Locate an Explanation Before Selecting a Form
Domestic Relations Frequently Asked Questions
The court’s FAQ explains common terminology and questions about proceedings in the division.
Read Cook County’s Domestic Relations FAQ
Use it to identify the subject involved and prepare more specific questions. Read general explanations alongside the notices and orders in your own case.
Local Domestic Relations Rules
Part 13 of the Circuit Court’s rules addresses domestic relations proceedings.
Review Part 13: Domestic Relations Proceedings
Confirm which provisions apply to your task. A form packet may not describe every local requirement or direction issued by the assigned judge.
Choose Between Statewide and Local Form Resources
Illinois Approved Forms
The Illinois courts publish standardized forms and accompanying instructions.
Browse approved Illinois court forms
Select the appropriate court level and subject. Read the instructions before completing a document.
Divorce, Support, and Maintenance Forms
The statewide family case collection includes materials organized around divorce and related financial matters.
Find Illinois divorce, child support, and maintenance forms
Check whether a packet addresses cases with children, cases without children, or another specific task.
Financial Affidavit Materials
Illinois provides a standardized Financial Affidavit for family and divorce cases, along with instructions.
Access Financial Affidavit forms and guidance
Gather supporting records and identify estimates before entering figures. Ask how the affidavit and its supporting documents must be exchanged or submitted.
Cook County Domestic Relations Forms
The court also maintains a local domestic relations form resource page.
Explore Cook County domestic relations forms
A form’s availability does not determine whether the requested relief is appropriate. Existing orders, disputed facts, and complicated financial interests may require individual advice.
Prepare Documents for Electronic Filing
Cook County E-Filing Information
The Clerk’s e-filing page connects readers with information about the statewide eFileIL system.
Review Cook County e-filing information
Before submitting, confirm the case information, document category, attachments, and any required fees or fee-waiver materials.
Keep submission confirmations and check whether documents were accepted. Filing, service, and scheduling are distinct tasks; do not assume one automatically completes the others.
Ask about the applicable exemption process if you cannot use electronic filing.
Assistance Navigating the Process
The Clerk’s Self-Represented Litigant Center provides assistance for people navigating the courts without representation.
Explore the Self-Represented Litigant Center
Confirm available services, location, and hours before visiting. Bring the relevant documents and explain the procedural task you need help completing.
Obtain Copies From a Court File
Court Document Requests
The Clerk’s website provides a document-request resource.
Review how to request Cook County court documents
Identify the case number, division, parties’ names, and document title or approximate date.
Before requesting a copy, determine whether you need:
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The complete judgment or a particular filing.
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Incorporated agreements and attachments.
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An ordinary copy or a certified copy.
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Records from an older proceeding.
Confirm fees, access restrictions, and delivery options. Online information may not include every document or provide the certification another organization requires.
Investigate Parenting Programs and Referrals
Domestic Relations Mediation
Cook County publishes information about mediation services for parenting-related disputes.
Read about domestic relations mediation
Review your referral order and confirm intake, preparation, participation, and completion requirements.
Discuss threats, abuse, coercion, or restricted contact before joint participation is arranged. Ask about screening and appropriate safeguards.
Parent Education
Family Court Services provides information about the Focus on Children parent education program.
Review Cook County parent education information
Confirm which course and format satisfy the order in your case. Do not assume a class taken elsewhere meets every court or program requirement.
Keep proof of completion and verify how it must be provided.
Find Child Support Services and Calculation Tools
Illinois Child Support Services
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services provides information for parents seeking assistance with parentage, financial support, medical support, and enforcement.
Explore Illinois child support information for parents
Choose the resource that fits the issue rather than treating every support question as a payment inquiry.
Enrollment
The state explains how to request program services.
Review enrollment for child support services
Have existing orders and relevant case information available. Ask about the program’s role and whether another issue requires separate legal assistance.
Child Support Estimator
Illinois provides an estimator based on the information entered.
Find the Illinois Child Support Estimator
Review the inputs carefully. An estimate does not create or modify a support order.
Locate the Appropriate Protection Resource
Orders of Protection
The court provides information about seeking orders of protection and locating assistance.
Read Cook County order of protection information
Different Types of Protective Orders
The court’s broader protective order page explains available categories and provides related information.
Explore Cook County protective order resources
The type of request and any related case can affect the appropriate process and location. Confirm current instructions rather than assuming every protection matter follows the same route.
Tell an attorney about existing parenting, divorce, or protective orders so overlapping requirements can be reviewed.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Explore Civil Legal Assistance
Legal Aid Chicago
Legal Aid Chicago publishes information about applying for assistance and accessing available help desks.
Review Legal Aid Chicago’s help options
Eligibility, the legal issue, and available resources affect whether assistance can be provided. Mention approaching deadlines and follow the intake instructions.
An application does not establish that representation has been accepted.
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Illinois Legal Aid Online provides legal information, guided forms, and tools for locating possible assistance.
Explore Illinois Legal Aid Online
Read the scope of each tool and check whether additional Cook County instructions apply.
A referral or guided form can help identify a next step, but it cannot guarantee that an organization will accept a case or that a document fits every circumstance.
Research the Illinois Legal Framework
Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act
The Illinois General Assembly publishes the statutory framework addressing divorce, property, maintenance, parental responsibilities, and related matters.
Read the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act
Use section numbers to keep track of your research. Effective dates, related statutes, court decisions, and procedural rules may also affect the answer.
Bring specific questions to an attorney rather than relying on an isolated passage.
Confirm the Details of Your Court Contact
Before attending in person or remotely, identify:
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The courthouse, division, and assigned calendar.
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The date and time in the latest notice.
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Whether remote participation is authorized.
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Documents required beforehand.
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Interpreter or accessibility needs.
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The appropriate contact for procedural clarification.
Allow time for transportation, security, and locating the correct office. For remote proceedings, obtain the authorized connection details and follow the judge’s instructions.
Keep copies of submissions and record follow-up tasks. Verify current requirements before traveling, paying a fee, or relying on a particular submission method.
This directory provides general educational information and external links for Chicago-area readers. It is not a court or government publication and does not provide legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Outside organizations control their information, services, and eligibility requirements. Links do not imply affiliation or endorsement. This blog is owned by Stange Law Firm, PC.