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Illinois court preparation · reviewed August 21, 2026

Preparing for Illinois Family Court

A careful statewide checklist that sends county- and court-specific fees, forms, and procedure to the receiving court.

Legal information, not legal advice. Illinois law and local practice can change. Verify forms, fees, filing methods, service, and hearing procedure with the circuit clerk and court receiving your case.

Before filing

  • Identify the correct Circuit Court county and division
  • Ask the Circuit Clerk for current forms, filing method (e-filing vs. paper), and local rules
  • E-filing is mandatory in most Illinois civil cases; register with a certified e-filing service provider (EFSP)
  • Confirm the current filing and appearance fee with the county clerk
  • If you cannot afford filing fees, file the Supreme Court approved Application for Waiver of Court Fees (Civil) — form FW-CIV
  • Complete a court-approved parenting education class if required (750 ILCS 5/404.1)
  • Confirm how emergency (ex parte) submissions are presented
  • Serve the other party in the manner the rules require and file a proof of service

Before the hearing

  • Read every notice and temporary order
  • Meet the actual exhibit, witness, disclosure, and subpoena deadlines
  • Confirm the courtroom, remote link, check-in, security, and device rules
  • Prepare a short list of requested orders and the evidence supporting each
  • Bring only what the court permits; arrange child care unless the court directs otherwise
No invented statewide numbers. Illinois has a unified Circuit Court in each county with varying local rules, forms, fees, and standing orders. This page intentionally does not publish unsupported universal filing fees, response times, or hearing deadlines.
Official sources reviewed August 21, 2026

Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the Illinois Circuit Clerk of the county handling your case.

Confirm current court fees and deadlines. Court fees, filing and response deadlines, hearing timing, notice periods, and local procedures can change or vary by Illinois county and circuit court. Before relying on any amount or time period on this page, confirm the current amount or deadline with the circuit clerk handling your case.