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)
(16 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
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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
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Enforcing parental responsibilities (custody and visitation)
(7 resources)
Petition for rule to show cause - Family law cases
This Easy Form makes 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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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.
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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
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
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Another parental responsibilities (custody and visitation) issue
(13 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.
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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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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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