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Illinois family-law guide · reviewed August 21, 2026

Illinois Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Current, source-linked Illinois terminology and rules without imported out-of-state formulas.

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.

Illinois terminology

Allocation of parental responsibilities

The legal framework Illinois uses for what was once called "custody" — it covers both parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities.

Parenting time

Where the child lives day to day and which parent exercises caretaking functions (once called "visitation").

Significant decision-making responsibilities

Major decisions about education, health, religion, and extracurricular activities.

Parenting plan

A written agreement (or court order) allocating parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities.

Core rules

  • The court allocates parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities according to the child's best interests (750 ILCS 5/602.5, 602.7)
  • It is presumed both parents are fit; parenting time is restricted only on a preponderance showing of serious endangerment to the child
  • The court shall not consider conduct of a parent that does not affect that parent's relationship to the child
  • Parents are expected to file a proposed parenting plan within 120 days of service/filing unless excused
  • There is no fixed 50/50 presumption and no overnight formula that converts a schedule into a custody right
  • In larger counties, family cases are heard in the Circuit Court's Family Division; confirm the correct county

Support and modification cautions

Illinois uses the Income Shares model for child support — not a flat percentage of one parent's income. The court combines both parents' net income and finds the basic obligation on the official HFS schedule by combined income and number of children. A parenting plan may be modified on changed circumstances in the child's best interests; significant-decision-making changes generally require two years or an endangerment showing (750 ILCS 5/610.5).

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.