Illinois
child support
lawyers
Establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support? Get matched with an experienced Illinois child support lawyer, and pay for the work done, not the hours. No hourly clock, no retainers. You make the decisions. Your attorney handles the paperwork.
Illinois
child support
lawyers
Establishing, modifying, or enforcing child support? Get matched with an experienced Illinois child support lawyer, and pay for the work done, not the hours. No hourly clock, no retainers. You make the decisions. Your attorney handles the paperwork.
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Child support
Understand how child support is calculated, what factors may affect payments, and what your rights and responsibilities are. Get guidance that helps you make informed decisions for both you and your child.
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Modifying child support
Life changes. When your family's circumstances change, your child support order may need to change too. An attorney can help you understand your options and request modifications that reflect your current situation.
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Temporary child support
Need support in place while your case is still open? An attorney can help you prepare a petition for temporary support, or respond if the other parent has filed one.
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Enforcing child support orders
When a support order isn't being followed, you don't have to navigate it alone. An attorney can help you understand your legal options, including asking the court to hold the other parent accountable, and take the appropriate next steps. If a petition has been filed against you, an attorney can help you respond.
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Court representation for support hearings
If your child support case goes to a conference or hearing, experienced legal representation can help you prepare. Understand what to expect and have an attorney by your side to present your position.
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Establishing parentage
When parents aren't married, legal parentage is an important step toward a child support order. An attorney can help you file a petition for parentage or respond to one.
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College expenses
Planning for your child's education costs? An attorney can help you prepare a petition asking the court to address contributions to college expenses, or respond to one.
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Settlement negotiation
Not every support dispute has to be decided by a judge. Negotiating a settlement can help parents work toward an agreement with less conflict and keep the focus on what matters most: their children.
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Child support in Illinois is different
Illinois child support laws use an income shares approach, and several details differ from what parents in other states may expect. Here are six things worth knowing before you file, respond, or ask for a change.
01
Both parents' incomes go into the formula
Illinois uses an income shares model. The court generally combines both parents' net incomes, looks up a basic obligation on a state schedule based on that combined income and the number of children, and divides it between the parents in proportion to each parent's share of the income.
04
Overnights can change the math
Under current law through December 31, 2026, when each parent has the child for 146 or more overnights a year, the basic obligation is generally multiplied by 1.5, each parent's share is calculated, and the amounts are offset. Illinois has enacted a change, effective January 1, 2027, that begins shared-care adjustments at 110 overnights.
02
Net income is the starting point
Net income generally means income from all sources minus a standardized or individualized tax amount. Means-tested public assistance, such as TANF, SSI, and SNAP, is generally not counted.
05
Changing an order generally takes a substantial change in circumstances
A parent who wants to modify support generally needs to show one. When a parent receives child support enforcement services from the state, and at least 36 months have passed since the order was entered or last modified, it may be modified without showing a substantial change if it differs from the current guideline amount by at least 20 percent and at least $10 a month.
03
The guideline amount carries weight
The amount the schedule produces is presumed to be correct, and a court needs written findings to depart from it. The schedule is set by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services rather than written into the statute, and it is revised from time to time, so an old estimate may be out of date.
06
Support generally runs to age 18, and sometimes a little longer
In Illinois, support typically continues until the child turns 18, or while the child is still in high school and has not yet turned 19.
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Child support in Illinois is different
Illinois child support laws use an income shares approach, and several details differ from what parents in other states may expect. Here are six things worth knowing before you file, respond, or ask for a change.
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Illinois managing attorney
Walter Jackowiec
Clients served
3000+
Years of experience
45 years
Practice Areas
Family law
Licenced in
Illinois
Counties we serve in Illinois
- Adams
- Alexander
- Bond
- Boone
- Brown
- Bureau
- Calhoun
- Carroll
- Cass
- Champaign
- Christian
- Clark
- Clay
- Clinton
- Coles
- Cook
- Crawford
- Cumberland
- DeKalb
- DeWitt
- Douglas
- DuPage
- Edgar
- Edwards
- Effingham
- Fayette
- Ford
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gallatin
- Greene
- Grundy
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hardin
- Henderson
- Henry
- Iroquois
- Jackson
- Jasper
- Jefferson
- Jersey
- Jo
- Daviess
- Johnson
- Kane
- Kankakee
- Kendall
- Knox
- Lake
- LaSalle
- Lawrence
- Lee
- Livingston
- Logan
- Macon
- Macoupin
- Madison
- Marion
- Marshall
- Mason
- Massac
- McDonough
- McHenry
- McLean
- Menard
- Mercer
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Morgan
- Moultrie
- Ogle
- Peoria
- Perry
- Piatt
- Pike
- Pope
- Pulaski
- Putnam
- Randolph
- Richland
- Rock
- Island
- Saline
- Sangamon
- Schuyler
- Scott
- Shelby
- St.
- Clair
- Stark
- Stephenson
- Tazewell
- Union
- Vermilion
- Wabash
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- White
- Whiteside
- Will
- Williamson
- Winnebago
- Woodford
Your questions, answered
The cost depends on the complexity of your case. Marble offers clear, service-based pricing with flexible payment options, no hidden fees, or large retainers.
Illinois uses an income shares model that accounts for both parents’ incomes, the number of children, parenting time, and certain expenses like health insurance and childcare.
You can request a modification if there’s been a substantial change in income, custody, or parenting time. Illinois also allows for periodic review of orders.
Nonpayment can lead to enforcement actions such as wage garnishment, driver’s license suspension, asset seizure, or court-ordered contempt proceedings.
Child support generally continues until the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later. Additional support may be required for college or special needs.
All income is considered, including wages, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, and other recurring financial resources.
Yes. Wage garnishment is a primary method of enforcement in Illinois and can be ordered by the court to ensure compliance with support obligations.
You can pursue enforcement through the court system or through the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Attorneys with Marble can help guide you through either option.
*The Attorney Match Guarantee™ applies to Marble’s matching process only and does not guarantee case outcomes, general satisfaction, or full refunds. Re-matches are subject to attorney availability and good account standing, and are limited to 3 discretion-based re-matches. If a suitable attorney is unavailable, a prorated refund based on work completed may apply.