The Illinois Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is the formal written answer a spouse (the Respondent) files with the Circuit Court Clerk after being served with divorce papers, telling the judge which facts in the Petition are admitted, denied, or unknown. Filing this Response within 30 days of personal service under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act is the single most important step a Respondent takes to avoid a default judgment under 735 ILCS 5/2-1301.
If you do nothing, the judge can grant your spouse everything they asked for in the Petition — the house, the parenting time schedule, the support amounts — without hearing your side. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, more than 24,000 divorces were finalized statewide in the most recent reporting year, and Illinois Courts data shows a meaningful share of those involved at least one self-represented party, making this form one of the most-filed and most-mistaken pleadings in the state.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📝 How to fill out the statewide Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage line by line, using the exact field names from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice approved form
- ⏰ Exactly how the 30-day answer clock works after service and what happens if you miss it under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 101
- 💵 Current county appearance fees ($200–$390 range), fee waivers using the Application for Waiver of Court Fees, and how to e-file through eFileIL
- 👨👩👧 How to decide between a simple Response and a full Counter-Petition when children, property, or maintenance are in play
- ⚖️ How to draft affirmative defenses, verify your Response under Supreme Court Rule 137, and serve it correctly under Supreme Court Rule 11
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Response to Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is the Respondent’s formal pleading filed in the Circuit Court of the Illinois county where the Petition was filed. It tells the court, paragraph-by-paragraph, whether you agree with what your spouse claimed about the marriage, the children, the property, and the requested relief. The statewide standardized form is published by the Illinois Courts Commission on Access to Justice and most counties accept it; some counties, including Cook, also accept their own local versions.
You must file a Response if you have been served with a Summons and Petition for Dissolution of Marriage under 750 ILCS 5/403. The statute and Supreme Court Rule 181 give you 30 days from the date you were personally served to file a written Appearance and Response. If you were served by publication, the clock and rules differ slightly under Supreme Court Rule 101(b)(5).
You do not have to file a Response if you and your spouse are filing a Joint Simplified Dissolution under 750 ILCS 5/452 or signing an Entry of Appearance and waiving the formal answer in an uncontested case. But if you have been served and you disagree with anything — or you want to be sure you have a voice in parenting, support, or property — you file the Response.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Pulling everything together before you open the form saves hours and prevents the embarrassment of refiling an amended Response. The Illinois Legal Aid Online divorce toolkit recommends gathering paperwork first, then drafting.
Here is your pre-filing checklist:
- A copy of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage you were served with. You will respond to each numbered paragraph, so you need it in front of you. Without it, you cannot properly admit or deny.
- Your Summons. The summons tells you the case number, the court division, and the exact date the 30-day clock started. Missing the date can cost you a default.
- Your marriage certificate. You will need the marriage date and place to confirm or correct the Petition’s factual paragraphs about the marriage.
- Birth certificates for any minor children. Names, dates of birth, and current addresses are required if children are part of the case under 750 ILCS 5/602.5.
- Pay stubs and last 2–3 years of tax returns. Required for the Financial Affidavit that often accompanies the Response.
- A list of marital and non-marital assets and debts. You need it to respond intelligently to property allegations and to plead non-marital claims as affirmative defenses under 750 ILCS 5/503.
- Photo ID and the appearance fee or fee-waiver paperwork. Without the fee or an approved Application for Waiver of Court Fees, the Clerk will not file your Response.
- An email address and a phone number you check daily. eFileIL sends all hearing notices and filing acceptances by email, and missing one can mean missing a court date.
- The opposing party’s or their attorney’s email and address. You must serve a copy of your Response on them under Supreme Court Rule 11.
- A quiet 60–90 minutes. Rushing this form is the most common reason Responses get amended.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The current statewide Response form lives on the Illinois Courts approved forms page under Dissolution of Marriage forms. Always download the version with the most recent revision date printed in the bottom-left corner of page one so you are not using a retired form.
You can also pick up a paper packet at your county Circuit Clerk’s office, such as the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, the DuPage County Circuit Clerk, or the Lake County Circuit Clerk. County packets sometimes include local cover sheets (like Cook County’s Domestic Relations Division cover sheet) you will need on top of the statewide Response.
Self-represented filers should also consider the free guided interview at Illinois Legal Aid Online, which walks you through the questions and produces a filled-in PDF Response ready for e-filing. The interview is reviewed by Illinois attorneys and is updated when the official form changes.
If you have a lawyer or a limited-scope attorney helping under Supreme Court Rule 13, they will pull the form directly from their case-management software. You should still review every paragraph yourself because the verification signature is yours.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Response Line by Line
The Illinois Response is organized into a caption, a paragraph-by-paragraph answer section, an optional affirmative defenses section, a prayer for relief, and a verification. Work top to bottom.
Caption Box: Court, County, and Division
What the field asks in plain English. The very top of the form asks for the court name, the county, and the division (often “Domestic Relations” or “Family Division”).
How to answer it. Copy this information exactly as it appears on the Petition and Summons. Use all caps for the county and court (e.g., IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINETEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS).
Example. Janet, served in Waukegan, writes IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINETEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS — FAMILY DIVISION.
Nuance. Cook County uses IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS — COUNTY DEPARTMENT, DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION. If you put the wrong division your filing may be routed to law division and rejected.
Common mistake and consequence. Writing “District Court” instead of “Circuit Court.” Illinois has no state-level district courts for divorce, and the Clerk will reject the filing, costing you days against your 30-day clock.
Misconception. Many filers think the caption can be summarized. It cannot — the court treats the caption as jurisdictional notice, and any mismatch with the Petition’s caption can void your Response.
Petitioner and Respondent Names
What the field asks. The names of both spouses in the same order as the Petition: Petitioner (the spouse who filed) and Respondent (you).
How to answer it. Use full legal names exactly as written on the Petition, even if one spouse uses a different married name day-to-day. Format: FIRST MIDDLE LAST.
Example. Carlos was served by his wife Maria. He writes Petitioner: MARIA ELENA LOPEZ; Respondent: CARLOS ANDRES LOPEZ.
Nuance. If the Petition misspells your name, do not “fix” it on the Response. Instead, file a short motion to correct the caption. Self-correcting creates a mismatched record.
Common mistake and consequence. Reversing Petitioner and Respondent. This signals to the judge you do not understand the case posture and can lead to confusion over who carries the burden on each issue.
Misconception. Some Respondents believe they can change to a maiden name in the caption. Name restoration is a separate request inside the prayer for relief, not the caption.
Case Number
What the field asks. The court-assigned case number, found in the upper-right corner of the Summons and Petition.
How to answer it. Copy it character-for-character, including the year prefix and division code, such as 2026 D 001234 in Cook County or 26 DV 412 in many downstate counties.
Example. Janet writes 2026 D 001234 in the Case No. box.
Nuance. If you cannot read the case number on a faxed or photographed copy, call the Circuit Clerk and ask — never guess. eFileIL will reject a wrong number.
Common mistake and consequence. Dropping the year digits or division letter. The eFileIL system routes by case number, and a typo sends your Response into the wrong electronic folder, where it will sit unread.
Misconception. Filers sometimes think the case number changes after the Response is filed. It does not — the same number stays on every pleading from petition through final judgment.
Paragraph-by-Paragraph Answers (Admit / Deny / Lack Knowledge)
What the field asks. For every numbered allegation in the Petition, you must say one of three things: Admit, Deny, or Neither admit nor deny because Respondent lacks sufficient knowledge to form a belief.
How to answer it. Number your responses to match the Petition exactly. If the Petition has 14 numbered paragraphs, your Response has 14 numbered paragraphs. Write the response in plain language: “1. Respondent admits the allegations in Paragraph 1.”
Example. Marcus’s Petition says, “3. The parties were married on June 12, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois.” Marcus writes “3. Respondent admits the allegations in Paragraph 3.”
Nuance. If part of a paragraph is true and part is not, you must say so: “Respondent admits that the parties married on June 12, 2010, but denies that the marriage took place in Chicago; the marriage took place in Oak Park, Illinois.” Splitting the answer protects you later.
Common mistake and consequence. Saying “Deny” to everything as a reflex. Under Supreme Court Rule 137, denials must have a good-faith basis; reflexive denials can lead to sanctions and attorney’s fees.
Misconception. Many Respondents think “lack of knowledge” is a safe catch-all. It is not — you cannot plead lack of knowledge about facts personal to you (your own income, your own children’s ages, your own residence).
Jurisdiction and Residency Paragraph
What the field asks. Whether you agree the court has jurisdiction because at least one spouse has lived in Illinois for 90 days before filing under 750 ILCS 5/401(a).
How to answer it. Admit if true. Deny only if the residency facts are wrong, because contesting jurisdiction can move the case to another state.
Example. Aisha has lived in Rockford for 11 years. She writes “Respondent admits the allegations in Paragraph 2 regarding residency and jurisdiction.”
Nuance. Military spouses stationed in Illinois count residency under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, even if their legal domicile is another state. Do not deny residency just because your spouse is on active duty.
Common mistake and consequence. Denying residency without a real basis to delay the case. The judge can strike the denial under Rule 137 and award fees.
Misconception. Filers think the 90-day rule applies to the date of separation. It applies to the date the Petition was filed.
Grounds: Irreconcilable Differences
What the field asks. Whether you agree the marriage is irretrievably broken under 750 ILCS 5/401(a), Illinois’s sole no-fault ground since 2016.
How to answer it. If you agree the marriage is over, admit. If you do not, deny — but understand that after 6 months of living separate and apart, the court presumes irreconcilable differences are met, and denial rarely stops the divorce.
Example. Janet, married 22 years, writes “Respondent admits the allegations in Paragraph 5 that irreconcilable differences have caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.”
Nuance. “Separate and apart” can happen under the same roof; you do not have to physically move out, per Illinois case law applying 750 ILCS 5/401(a-5).
Common mistake and consequence. Trying to plead old fault grounds like adultery or cruelty. They were abolished in 2016 and including them gets stricken, wasting time.
Misconception. People think denying grounds blocks the divorce. It only delays it; ultimately, one spouse’s insistence is enough.
Children of the Marriage
What the field asks. Names, dates of birth, and current residence of all minor or dependent children of the marriage under 750 ILCS 5/602.5.
How to answer it. Confirm or correct. If the Petition lists Sofia Lopez, DOB 04/02/2015 and that is right, admit. If a child is missing, add them: “Respondent denies Paragraph 6 to the extent it is incomplete; the parties also have one minor child, Diego Lopez, DOB 08/19/2018.”
Example. Carlos writes “Respondent admits the allegations in Paragraph 6 regarding the minor children Sofia Lopez (DOB 04/02/2015) and Diego Lopez (DOB 08/19/2018).”
Nuance. Children born during the marriage are presumed marital children under 750 ILCS 46/204. If you dispute parentage, you must plead it specifically — silence equals admission.
Common mistake and consequence. Leaving a child off because they are 18 but still in high school. Illinois extends support and educational expenses past 18 under 750 ILCS 5/513, and omitting them weakens your later claim.
Misconception. Filers believe stepchildren must be listed. They should not be unless they were legally adopted.
Marital Property and Debts
What the field asks. Whether you agree with the Petition’s description of property and debts acquired during the marriage under 750 ILCS 5/503.
How to answer it. Admit or deny each item. If the Petition says “The parties own the marital residence at 123 Oak Street, Naperville, IL” and you disagree it is marital (say, you owned it before the marriage), deny and plead the non-marital claim as an affirmative defense.
Example. Janet writes “Respondent denies the allegations in Paragraph 8 to the extent it characterizes the home at 123 Oak Street as wholly marital property; Respondent acquired the property by gift from her mother in 2001, prior to the marriage.”
Nuance. Commingled property (non-marital funds mixed with marital funds) often becomes marital unless you can trace it. Tracing is a fact you prove later — for now, plead the non-marital nature so you preserve the claim.
Common mistake and consequence. Admitting everything to be agreeable. Once admitted, you cannot easily walk it back, and you may lose a non-marital claim worth tens of thousands.
Misconception. People think retirement accounts titled solely in one spouse’s name are non-marital. The portion earned during the marriage is marital regardless of title.
Maintenance (Spousal Support)
What the field asks. Whether you agree with the Petition’s request — or non-request — for spousal maintenance under 750 ILCS 5/504.
How to answer it. If the Petition asks the court to bar maintenance and you disagree, deny that paragraph. If the Petition asks for maintenance and you contest the amount or duration, deny.
Example. Carlos, the higher earner, writes “Respondent denies the allegations in Paragraph 10 to the extent it requests permanent maintenance; Respondent agrees only to guideline maintenance for the statutory duration under 750 ILCS 5/504(b-1).”
Nuance. Maintenance in Illinois is formula-based for incomes under $500,000 combined. Above that, the judge has discretion. Plead the formula expressly to lock the judge into it.
Common mistake and consequence. Failing to plead maintenance at all. If neither party requests it and the judgment is silent, it is forever barred under 750 ILCS 5/510.
Misconception. Respondents believe staying silent helps them avoid paying. Silence can also strip them of the right to receive it if their income drops later.
Affirmative Defenses
What the field asks. Any legal reason the relief requested should be denied, even if the facts are admitted — for example, that property is non-marital, or that a premarital agreement controls under the Illinois Uniform Premarital Agreement Act, 750 ILCS 10.
How to answer it. After your paragraph-by-paragraph answers, add a section titled “Affirmative Defenses.” Number each defense and state the facts that support it.
Example. Janet writes “Affirmative Defense No. 1: The home at 123 Oak Street is Respondent’s non-marital property because she acquired it by gift from her mother in 2001.”
Nuance. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-613(d), affirmative defenses not pleaded are waived. You cannot bring them up at trial later.
Common mistake and consequence. Mixing defenses into the admit/deny section. Judges expect them separated; mixing makes the pleading hard to read and the defense easy to miss.
Misconception. Filers think they can add defenses later. Adding them requires leave of court and is often denied close to trial.
Prayer for Relief
What the field asks. What you want the court to do — grant the dissolution, allocate parenting time, divide property, award (or bar) maintenance, restore your former name, and any other relief.
How to answer it. Use a numbered “Wherefore” clause at the bottom. Be specific: “Wherefore, Respondent prays this Court: (1) enter Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage; (2) allocate equal parenting time; (3) divide marital property equitably; (4) restore Respondent’s former name of Janet Marie Carlson; (5) award guideline child support; and (6) grant such further relief as is just.”
Example. Aisha writes a 6-item prayer covering dissolution, parenting, support, property, name restoration, and a catch-all.
Nuance. Name restoration under 750 ILCS 5/413(b) must be requested in the prayer. If you forget, you must file a separate post-judgment petition and pay a new fee.
Common mistake and consequence. Asking for relief inconsistent with your denials (denying grounds but asking for dissolution). Judges note the contradiction.
Misconception. Filers think the prayer is boilerplate. It is the only place the judge looks to see what you want.
Verification Under Oath
What the field asks. Your signature, under penalty of perjury per 735 ILCS 5/1-109, that the Response is true to the best of your knowledge.
How to answer it. Sign and date in blue or black ink (or apply an e-signature in eFileIL). Print your name, address, phone, and email below the signature.
Example. “/s/ Carlos Andres Lopez — 05/21/2026.”
Nuance. Some counties also require a separate notarized verification page. Always check the local rules of the Circuit you are filing in.
Common mistake and consequence. Forgetting to verify. An unverified Response is treated as if not filed, exposing you to default.
Misconception. Filers think verifying means they swear every word is independently proven. It means you swear the statements are true to the best of your knowledge, information, and belief.
Counter-Petition (Optional but Powerful)
What the field asks. Whether you also want to ask the court for relief on grounds the Petition did not raise — for example, to plead dissipation of assets under 750 ILCS 5/503(d)(2).
How to answer it. Attach a separately captioned Counter-Petition for Dissolution of Marriage to your Response. It mirrors a Petition but is filed by the Respondent.
Example. Carlos files a Counter-Petition alleging Maria dissipated $42,000 from the joint savings account in the 18 months before separation.
Nuance. A Counter-Petition keeps your case alive even if the Petitioner voluntarily dismisses theirs. Without it, a dismissal ends everything.
Common mistake and consequence. Skipping the Counter-Petition because the Petition “covers everything.” If your spouse withdraws, you start over.
Misconception. Filers believe filing a Counter-Petition doubles the fee. It does not — your single appearance fee covers both pleadings.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Aisha — Short Marriage, No Children, No Real Estate
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WINNEBAGO COUNTY, ILLINOIS |
| Case Number | 2026 D 0188 |
| Petitioner / Respondent | DAVID R. KHAN / AISHA M. KHAN |
| Residency Paragraph | Admits — Respondent has lived in Illinois for 11 years. |
| Grounds | Admits irreconcilable differences. |
| Children | Admits — no children of the marriage. |
| Property | Admits — limited personal property already divided. |
| Maintenance | Admits — both parties waive maintenance. |
| Affirmative Defenses | None. |
| Prayer | Dissolution, name restoration to Aisha Marie Patel, costs each party bears own. |
Scenario 2: Janet — 22-Year Marriage, Two Kids, Home, and Retirement
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 19TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS — FAMILY DIVISION |
| Case Number | 2026 D 001234 |
| Petitioner / Respondent | ROBERT J. CARLSON / JANET M. CARLSON |
| Residency Paragraph | Admits. |
| Grounds | Admits irreconcilable differences after 6+ months separate and apart. |
| Children | Admits — Liam (DOB 06/02/2012) and Ava (DOB 09/14/2015). |
| Property | Denies in part — home at 123 Oak Street is non-marital gift from mother. |
| Maintenance | Denies — requests guideline maintenance under 750 ILCS 5/504(b-1). |
| Affirmative Defenses | No. 1 — non-marital home; No. 2 — non-marital inheritance of $58,000. |
| Prayer | Dissolution; majority parenting time; guideline child support; guideline maintenance; non-marital property confirmed; restoration of name to Janet Marie Sullivan. |
Scenario 3: Carlos — Files Response Plus Counter-Petition Alleging Dissipation
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Court / County | IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS — DOMESTIC RELATIONS DIVISION |
| Case Number | 2026 D 003571 |
| Petitioner / Respondent | MARIA ELENA LOPEZ / CARLOS ANDRES LOPEZ |
| Residency Paragraph | Admits. |
| Grounds | Admits irreconcilable differences. |
| Children | Admits — Sofia (DOB 04/02/2015) and Diego (DOB 08/19/2018). |
| Property | Denies — Petition omits $42,000 dissipated from joint savings. |
| Affirmative Defenses | No. 1 — dissipation under 750 ILCS 5/503(d)(2). |
| Counter-Petition | Attached — seeks reallocation of marital estate to offset dissipation. |
| Prayer | Dissolution; equal parenting; equitable division accounting for dissipation; guideline child support; reservation of maintenance. |
How to File the Completed Form
E-filing through eFileIL (mandatory for most filers). Illinois Supreme Court order requires civil e-filing through eFileIL for self-represented and represented parties alike, with narrow exceptions. Create a free account, upload your Response as a PDF, select the case number, pay the appearance fee with a credit card, and submit. Processing typically takes 1–3 business days, and you will receive an email “Acceptance” notice you should save as proof of filing.
In-person at the Circuit Clerk. If you qualify for an e-filing exemption (no internet, disability, language barrier), you may file paper. Bring two copies of the Response and your photo ID to the Clerk’s office, such as the Cook County Clerk’s Daley Center filing counter or your county equivalent. The Clerk stamps “Filed” on your copy — keep it forever.
By approved e-filing service provider. Vendors like Tyler Odyssey accept filings for a small per-transaction fee. They submit to the same court system as eFileIL.
Fees and waivers. Appearance fees vary by county — currently around $251 in Cook County, $289 in DuPage, $337 in Lake, and $200–$390 statewide. If you cannot afford the fee, file an Application for Waiver of Court Fees at the same time. Accepted payments are credit card, debit card, and electronic check on eFileIL, and cash, money order, or card in person.
Proof of filing and service. Save the eFileIL Acceptance email. Then serve the Petitioner or their attorney by email under Supreme Court Rule 11 and file a Certificate of Service. Without the certificate, the judge cannot consider your Response.
What Happens After You File
Once your Response is accepted, the case moves into the pretrial phase. The judge will set a case management conference within 60–90 days under Supreme Court Rule 218, where deadlines for discovery, mediation, and trial are set.
If children are involved, most counties order parents to complete a parenting education class within 60 days under 750 ILCS 5/404. You will also be expected to exchange a Financial Affidavit within 30 days, along with 3 years of tax returns and 3 months of pay stubs.
The case may settle through mediation or collaborative process, both encouraged under Supreme Court Rule 905. If it does not settle, the judge will hold a trial and enter a final Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage that incorporates parenting, support, maintenance, and property terms.
If the Petitioner does not respond to discovery, you can file motions to compel, and ultimately for sanctions. The Response is the door that gives you access to all of these post-filing rights.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Missing the 30-day deadline — leads to a default judgment under 735 ILCS 5/2-1301.
- Filing the Response without a separate Entry of Appearance — the Clerk may accept the filing but the judge cannot officially recognize you in the case.
- Writing “Deny” to every paragraph — exposes you to Rule 137 sanctions for frivolous denials.
- Pleading “lack of knowledge” about your own income or children — judges treat this as an admission.
- Forgetting affirmative defenses — they are waived under 735 ILCS 5/2-613.
- Skipping the verification signature — the pleading is treated as not filed.
- Omitting the prayer for name restoration — requires a new petition and new fee later.
- Wrong case number on eFileIL — files into the void; you may miss the deadline before realizing.
- No Certificate of Service — the judge may strike your Response.
- Asking for relief barred by statute (e.g., fault grounds) — gets stricken and signals inexperience.
- Failing to file a Counter-Petition when needed — Petitioner can dismiss and end the case.
- Using an outdated form revision — Clerk rejects it, costing you days.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Read the Petition twice before drafting, because every word of your Response is tied to it.
- Match your numbered paragraphs to the Petition’s exactly, so the judge can compare side-by-side.
- Save proof of e-filing and proof of service in one folder, since you will need them at every hearing.
- File a Counter-Petition if you want any independent relief, because it keeps the case alive.
- Use the current Illinois Courts form revision, since older versions get rejected.
- Consult a limited-scope attorney for a one-hour review, because a $250 review can save thousands.
Don’ts
- Don’t deny facts you know are true, since Rule 137 sanctions are real and expensive.
- Don’t admit to property characterization without checking with a lawyer, because admissions stick.
- Don’t forget the verification block, because an unverified Response is no Response.
- Don’t ignore the parenting class order, since judges sanction parents who skip it.
- Don’t badmouth your spouse in the pleading, because Illinois is no-fault and judges read every word.
- Don’t miss the case management conference, because failure to appear can lead to default.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of Pro Se Filing
- Saves $3,000–$10,000+ in attorney’s fees that you can use for the kids or housing.
- You stay in control of the timing, drafting, and strategy.
- The Illinois Legal Aid Online guided interview produces a court-ready Response for free.
- Many uncontested cases truly do not need a lawyer.
- You learn how the court system works, which helps with later modifications.
Cons of Pro Se Filing
- Easy to miss affirmative defenses worth tens of thousands of dollars.
- Verification, service, and certificate-of-service mistakes can void your filing.
- Judges hold pro se parties to the same standard as lawyers under Supreme Court Rule 11.
- You may not spot dissipation, hidden retirement, or non-marital tracing issues.
- Emotional stress affects judgment, and divorce is one of the most stressful life events.
FAQs
How long do I have to file a Response after being served in Illinois?
30 days from personal service under Supreme Court Rule 181. Counting starts the day after service, includes weekends, and ends on the next business day if it falls on a holiday.
What happens if I do not file a Response at all?
No. Doing nothing is the worst choice. The Petitioner can move for a default judgment under 735 ILCS 5/2-1301, and the court can grant every request in the Petition without you.
Do I need to write “Admit” or “Deny” for the caption paragraphs at the top?
No. The caption is not numbered allegations. Start your numbered admit/deny responses with the first numbered paragraph of the Petition, usually the residency or jurisdiction paragraph.
Can I respond by email instead of filing with the court?
No. A Response must be filed through eFileIL or in person with the Circuit Clerk. Sending it only to your spouse or their lawyer does not count.
Should I write my maiden name or married name in the Respondent box?
Yes — use the name on the Petition, which is usually your current legal married name. Name restoration is a separate request in the prayer for relief, not a change to the caption.
Do I have to file a Counter-Petition?
No, but it is wise if you want independent relief. Without one, if your spouse voluntarily dismisses the Petition, the case ends and you must start over.
Can I plead “I don’t know” to questions about my own children’s birthdates?
No. Courts treat “lack of knowledge” about personal facts as an admission. Look up the date and answer accurately.
Do I have to pay an appearance fee?
Yes, unless your Application for Waiver of Court Fees is approved. Fees range roughly $200–$390 depending on county.
Can I file a Response without a lawyer?
Yes. Illinois allows pro se filing in all divorce cases, and the Illinois Legal Aid Online divorce toolkit walks you through it.
What if part of a Petition paragraph is true and part is false?
Yes, you can split your answer. Admit the true portion in the same numbered paragraph, then deny the rest specifically, identifying what is wrong and why.
Is the verification signature really necessary if I e-file?
Yes. eFileIL accepts the “/s/ Your Name” electronic signature as a verification under 735 ILCS 5/1-109, but the line must be signed or the Response is void.
Will the judge read my Response before the first hearing?
Yes, usually. Judges review the Petition and Response before the case management conference so they understand the contested issues, which is why every word matters.
Can I amend my Response later?
Yes, but only with leave of court under 735 ILCS 5/2-616. Amendments close to trial are often denied, so do it right the first time.
Does filing a Response stop my spouse’s case?
No. It does not stop the divorce — it ensures you are heard inside it. Only a settlement or a successful motion to dismiss can stop the case itself.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Illinois Joint Simplified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Marital Settlement Agreement (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (No Children) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Illinois Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (With Children) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Petition for Dissolution of Marriage + FAQs
- How to Fill Out New York Form UD-12 (w/Examples) + FAQs