Divorce - Parents with Minor Children

 
The Forms for Divorcing Parents of Minor Children are available by clicking on the links below.

Children First Info for Divorcing Parents of Minors
Affidavit as to Military Service
Entry of Appearance - Waiver and Consent
Order/Notice to Withhold Income for Child Support
Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities
Uniform Order for Support
Child Support Data Sheet


Notice to Those Seeking Dissolution of Marriage:

Besides the attached entry of appearance and military service affidavit forms, you will also need to complete and file 1) a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and 2) a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage (original and two copies). To learn more about how to prepare a petition and judgment for dissolution of marriage, information is available from the law library in the basement of the courthouse.

For standard dissolutions of marriage, there is a $314.00 filing fee paid to the Circuit Clerk’s office when the case is filed, and a $189 answer fee paid by the respondent.

For joint simplified dissolutions (that is, when both parties file jointly for dissolution and there are no children are involved), the filing fee is $314 and no answer fee is required. For more information and eligibility for joint simplified dissolutions, click here

If you have children under the age of 18, you must enroll in the Children First Program before your judgment can be entered. To sign up for the program, call 618-251-6214.

You may file your petition and all pleadings Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, in the Circuit Clerk’s office. When you file your petition, you will be advised when you will have to see the judge again.

Circuit Clerk employees may answer general questions but are prohibited 
from assisting in preparation of documents

Children First is a program mandated by the Illinois Supreme Court and the Third Judicial Circuit (Madison and Bond Counties) to benefit divorcing parents of children under the age of 18. (Click here for more information about Children First.)

All parties shall attend and complete the Children First program as soon as possible. The court may not enter a final custody order unless one or both parties have attended Children First.

The mission of Children First is to help you understand more about the impact of divorce on your children, and how to reduce damaging effects of divorce on them. The program helps you to help your children cope with the changes divorce brings to their lives.

The intention of Children First is to be sensitive to your problems and needs at a difficult time in your life, and to be as helpful and supportive as possible to you.