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How can the Illinois family law glossary clarify court papers?
Start with the terms on the papers you received. A petition describes what someone is asking the court to do; an order records a decision. Knowing that difference helps you identify questions to bring to a lawyer. Read your actual papers carefully for dates and instructions.
People often search for child custody. Illinois law uses parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities to describe the principal parts of parental responsibilities. These terms concern different questions, so read both the schedule and the decision-making provisions in your order.
Answer or response
A written reply to the allegations or requests in a complaint or petition.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Circuit court
The Illinois trial court where a case begins.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Dissolution of marriage
The legal name for divorce. Cook County's Domestic Relations Division handles dissolution cases and related family matters.
Source: Cook County Circuit Court: About Domestic Relations Cases.
Hearing
A court proceeding where the judge considers the parties' positions on an issue.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Judgment
The court's final decision. Read the actual judgment for the obligations it imposes.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Jurisdiction
The court's legal authority to decide a case.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Limited scope representation
Legal help for agreed parts of a matter. It can include advice, document preparation or review, or a limited court appearance. The scope must be reasonable and the client must give informed consent. A document review agreement does not by itself include going to court.
Maintenance
Spousal support, commonly called alimony. It is a separate subject from child support.
Source: Cook County Circuit Court: About Domestic Relations Cases.
Motion
A request asking the judge to take an action in an existing case.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Parental responsibilities
Illinois law uses this term for both parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities for a child.
Source: 750 ILCS 5, Part VI: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
Parenting plan
A plan addressing parental responsibilities, including decisions and the child's parenting schedule. Section 602.10 sets out its requirements and the court's role in approval.
Source: 750 ILCS 5, Part VI: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
Parenting time
The time when a parent is responsible for caring for the child and making ordinary day-to-day decisions.
Source: 750 ILCS 5, Part VI: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
Petition
A written document asking the court for relief. An initial petition starts the case.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Petitioner
The person who starts the case and asks the court for relief.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Respondent
The person responding to the case started by the petitioner.
Source: Illinois Supreme Court Library: Starting and Responding to a Civil Case.
Significant decision-making responsibilities
Responsibility for important decisions affecting a child, such as education, health, religion and extracurricular activities. This differs from routine decisions during parenting time.
Source: 750 ILCS 5, Part VI: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities.
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Sources and scope
This page gives general information about Illinois family law. Court rules, case orders and individual facts control what you must do. It does not establish representation or replace advice about your case. Sources checked October 1, 2026.