DuPage Legal Answers
FAMILY LAW
Resources for Family Law Cases
This website is intended to help people who do not have a background in the law but are trying to work their way through legal problems in DuPage County, particularly issues involving cases filed at the DuPage County Judicial Center. This page is thus intended to provide specific resources for cases involving family law (such as divorce and custody disputes). If you have concerns not covered by these topics, we recommend a search in the Illinois Legal Aid Online database or writing to the volunteer attorneys at Illinois Free Legal Answers.
DuPage Legal Aid. Since its founding in 1975, the DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation (DuPage Legal Aid) has helped thousands of clients in need of legal help, most often in matters involving family law issues, such as divorce, child support and custody. The lawyers working with DuPage Legal Aid provide free legal help both in the courtroom and in meetings with clients, giving legal advice and counsel to those in need. To find help through this service, CLICK HERE or call (630) 653-6212.
DCBA Family Law Help Desk. The DuPage County Bar Association, in conjunction with the 18th Judicial Circuit, staffs three helpdesks weekly to assist self-represented (pro se) litigants in the areas of Family Law, Guardianship, and Civil Law (small claims, insurance, eviction, etc.). These helpdesks offer limited services for the purpose of completing documents, reviewing and assisting in the completion of court forms, and answering general questions. If appropriate, the helpdesk may refer litigants to DuPage Legal Aid, the DuPage Lawyer Referral Service, or some other agency that may be able to more effectively address the issues presented. The helpdesk volunteer attorneys will not provide legal advice nor will they represent you in court. This service is exclusively for those representing themselves in court. A scheduling system is provided for you to indicate a time you would like to visit the helpdesk and to share notes and documents related to your issue. The timeslot is not an appointment or reservation, however it will give you preference over walk-ups.
Monday and Wednesday from 10:00am-1:00pm in Room 2017 of the DuPage Judicial Center. Click here for Scheduling.
The DuPage Pro-Se Assistance Center offers limited services for the purpose of completing documents in post-decree domestic relations cases limited to financial matters such as past due child support, medical expenses, recreational and extra-curricular expenses, and college and other post high school expenses. The Pro-Se Assistance Center aids pro-se litigants (those representing themselves) in preparing documents necessary to present their case at the pro-se domestic relations call. If appropriate, the Pro-se Assistance Center may refer litigants to DuPage Legal Aid, DuPage Lawyer Referral Service or other agency that may be able to more effectively address their issues. Volunteer attorneys are available for limited assistance with Domestic Relations forms during the following times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10:00 am-1:00 pm, All meetings held via Zoom. To schedule a consultation; CLICK HERE. Please note that slots are limited and recurring or repeat appointments related to the same case or individual may be subject to cancellation so that we can serve the greatest number of people.
The DuPage County Law Library at the DuPage County Judicial Center boasts a staff of knowledgeable reference librarians, a self-help computer center, and a web page with a number of additional resources, including a "Help Guide" for uncontested divorces ("uncontested" means that there is nothing to contest, or argue about, regarding the divorce. You can file an "uncontested divorce" if both spouses agree on all divorce issues such as child support, marital support, parenting time and parenting responsibilities). That guide and a related checklist can be found if you CLICK HERE.
E-Filing is Required of anyone participating in a court proceeding in DuPage County. The local rules require that you file an "appearance" and any pleadings necessary to your case through an electronic filing system which makes most of the filings in a given case available to the parties, the court, the clerk's office, and the public at large. Anyone seeking to represent themselves in DuPage County should therefore visit the courthouse website page on e-filing, DuPage County E-Filing Information, to make sure they get familiar with the system and how it works. There are also a couple of training videos you may find useful on the Court Info page of this website and both the state-wide e-filing provider, Odyssey, and others (like i2file), provide access to training materials on their landing pages. If those resources prove difficult to navigate, you should know that Illinois Legal Aid Online also has a page on e-Filing Basics and the DuPage County Law Library has a knowledgeable professional staff who can often explain things better than any video or printed word. The e-filing systems are fairly easy to use in the end, it bears emphasizing in this context, but it may take you a bit of time to get the hang of it. Hopefully these resources will help you get there!