What is a pro se litigant?
Pro se means representing yourself in court without a lawyer: the Illinois Domestic Violence Act uses "pro se" for a person not represented by counsel (750 ILCS 60/202(d)), and Illinois courts also use the term self-represented litigant. This page collects Cook County family law forms for self-represented litigants and the kinds of help a lawyer can add.
What Cook County family law forms help with self representation?
Chicago Family Attorneys works with clients and the community to make legal services accessible for everyone. Our legal coaching and document creation program allows self represented litigants the ability to create the necessary documents and to gain the required information to assist you in representing yourself in court.
Document preparation for self-represented litigants: $399
The $399 package covers preparation of the covered documents, attorney document review and one 60-minute advice call for people representing themselves in an uncontested divorce or initial custody case. You handle filing, service and court dates. See $399 divorce and custody document preparation and self-represented divorce paperwork cost.
Help with one task: limited-scope representation
A limited scope family law attorney in Chicago can help with a defined task instead of your entire case. Drafting a motion for you to file is a flat fee starting at $500, and appearing for you at a specific hearing is a flat fee starting at $1,200. See the limited-scope family lawyer page and the Cook County domestic relations Zoom links for court dates.
What should I clarify about legal coaching and document assistance?
At Chicago Family Attorneys, we believe every person deserves access to justice regardless of income. The $399 self-represented document-preparation package includes document preparation, attorney document review and one 60-minute advice call. Broader attorney representation is a separate service.
Our goal has been to create an opportunity for those who would like to move forward with anyone of the following cases:
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Divorce
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Custody or Parenting Time
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Allocation of Parental Rights
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Child Support
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Child Support Modification
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Uncontested Divorce
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Modification of Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
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Parentage (Paternity)
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Orders of Protection
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Contempt or Enforcement (Rule to Show Cause)
The $399 self-represented document-preparation package includes document preparation, attorney document review and one 60-minute advice call. Broader attorney representation is a separate service.
Once you receive the documents , you must then file them either through TylerHost or with the assistance of the Cook County Circuit Court Clerk.
Create Court Documents For Your Case
Every form or document created is designed to match as closely as possible to documents that will be accepted by the Circuit Court of Cook County, Domestic Relations or Domestic Violence Division. Whether you’re filing at the Daley Center, in Skokie, Maywood, or another courthouse, your paperwork will be accepted if you have filled out the automated intake form correctly, and you are properly using the documents that you have purchased.
What You’ll Get with Our Do It Yourself Cook County Family Law Tools
Which requirements apply to documents for Cook County family court?
Our self-help legal tools are designed for individuals who want to file family law pleadings for child custody, divorce, orders of protection or other family law proceedings in Cook County without hiring an attorney. Every document is created in compliance with the required formatting used by the Circuit Court of Cook County, including the Domestic Relations and Domestic Violence divisions.
Whether you're filing at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago or in one of the suburban Cook County courthouses, your documents will match court specifications. Each form is generated using a step-by-step questionnaire used by our family law attorneys and the attorneys then customize the documents directly to your needs. Each document is structured exactly like what a licensed attorney would prepare for a paying client.
These tools are ideal for individuals searching for:
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how to file for divorce in Cook County without a lawyer
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document preparation for self-represented child custody matters in Illinois
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pro se court documents for parenting time and child support
Instead, you will have the opportunity to represent yourself with the assistance of an automated system built to assist you in court and to fight for your rights at an extremely low cost.
Guided Child Custody Assistance For People Filing Without a Lawyer
You don’t need legal training to get started. Each of our online document builders is designed to be used by people without any background in law. Every question is written in plain, easy-to-understand language, with detailed instructions and explanations provided along the way.
Each legal tool includes:
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Clear, fill-in-the-blank style questions
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Definitions of legal terms as they appear
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Common tips and warnings to avoid errors that could delay your case
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Optional help guides, written FAQs, and downloadable filing instructions
These services are built for self-represented individuals looking for:
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help filing for custody in Illinois without an attorney
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resources for preparing a parenting plan on your own
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legal documents for court that don’t require hiring a lawyer
Self-Represented Document Preparation
Every form or document created is designed to match as closely as possible to documents that will be accepted by the Circuit Court of Cook County, Domestic Relations or Domestic Violence Division. Whether you’re filing at the Daley Center, in Skokie, Maywood, or another courthouse, your paperwork will be accepted if you have filled out the automated intake form correctly, and you are properly using the documents that you have purchased.
What You’ll Get with Our Do It Yourself Cook County Family Law Tools
Court-Approved Legal Forms for Pro Se Family Law Cases in Cook County
Our self-help legal tools are designed for individuals who want to file family law pleadings for child custody, divorce, orders of protection or other family law proceedings in Cook County without hiring an attorney. Every document is created in compliance with the required formatting used by the Circuit Court of Cook County, including the Domestic Relations and Domestic Violence divisions.
Whether you're filing at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago or in one of the suburban Cook County courthouses, your documents will match court specifications. Each form is generated using a step-by-step questionnaire used by our family law attorneys and the attorneys then customize the documents directly to your needs. Each document is structured exactly like what a licensed attorney would prepare for a paying client.
These tools are ideal for individuals searching for:
-
how to file for divorce in Cook County without a lawyer
-
free or low-cost legal forms for child custody in Illinois
-
pro se court documents for parenting time and child support
Instead, you will have the opportunity to represent yourself with the assistance of an automated system built to assist you in court and to fight for your rights at an extremely low cost.
Guided Child Custody Assistance For People Filing Without a Lawyer
Review the service information and contact the firm to discuss whether document preparation is appropriate for your matter. The firm must confirm the requested documents and scope before work begins. Self-represented document preparation includes attorney document review and one 60-minute advice call.
Each legal tool includes:
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Identify the case type and documents you need
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Discuss the facts needed to prepare the documents
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Attorney document review within the agreed scope
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One included 60-minute advice call
These services are built for self-represented individuals looking for:
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help filing for custody in Illinois without an attorney
-
resources for preparing a parenting plan on your own
-
legal documents for court that don’t require hiring a lawyer
Child custody cases for self-represented litigants
If you are a parent who would like to gain child custody in Cook County, Lake County, Will County, or DuPage County and you are representing yourself in court, please click the button below to start your case.
Filing for divorce without a lawyer in Cook County
It is always advisable that you hire an attorney to represent you in court for divorce proceedings, but if you would like to represent yourself in court to gain a divorce, click the button below to start your divorce.





