Family & Safety
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Paternity or parentage
Parentage is the legal relationship between a child and a parent. Parentage needs to be established before child support, parenting time, or decision-making power can be ordered.
Learn your rights (1 resources)
Parentage basics
Explains that parentage is a legal relationship between a parent and a child, and the responsibilities of that relationship.
Guide
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Forms (10 resources)
Parentage and allocation petition for father
Use this form to ask a judge to establish parentage if you think you are the father of a child.
Form download
Parentage and allocation petition for mother
Use this form to ask a judge to establish parentage if you are the mother of a child.
Form download
Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity - VAP
A program to help you complete the forms to acknowledge that someone is the father of a child.
Easy Form
Parentage summons
Use this form to let the other party know that you have filed a parentage case.
Form download
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Other resources for the public (16 resources)
Starting a case for parentage in court
Steps to establish parentage from the forms you need to the court hearing process.
How-To
Voluntary acknowledgment of parentage or VAP basics
A VAP is a legal form that establishes a legal relationship between a parent and a child. Both parents must sign the form. Once it is signed, it is very hard to undo.
Text article
I want to divorce someone who cannot be found
Explains how to be granted a divorce if you can't find your spouse to notify them of the divorce case.
Text article
Parentage basics
Explains that parentage is a legal relationship between a parent and a child, and the responsibilities of that relationship.
Guide
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Lawyer resources (3 resources)
2016/2017 family law changes
A document for lawyers to reference that has important changes happening to the IMDMA and the Parentage Act in 2016, and child support in 2017.
Text article
Illinois Parentage Act of 2015
Gives information about the Illinois Parentage Act, and the parent-child relationship.
Lawyer Manuals
Children's law and Illinois Parentage Act
Gives information about Children's law and the Illinois Parentage Act.
Lawyer Manuals
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