Cook County Domestic Relations Division Zoom Information

When appearing in court, it is important to check any prior court orders, notices, and online information regarding court appearances before you appear in person or on Zoom.

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Appearing by Zoom for a virtual court appearance is the equivalent of appearing in person, and the same court rules will apply.

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If you are unsure whether you should appear in person, there are several steps that you can take outlined below.

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Ask Your Attorney For Assistance​

 

If you are represented by an attorney, call or email them to ask if you need to appear in person or by Zoom. Some judges require that hearings and certain statuses be held in person, but it is entirely up to the court and the judge overseeing your matter how the case may be heard.​​

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Call The Court And Ask For Assistance

 

Calling the courthouse and inquiring with the judge's clerk or the necessary staff is often necessary to find the appropriate information, but it is important to remember that each courtroom has caseloads that are in the thousands and it may be difficult to get an immediate response. The phone numbers for general information are also available online for each Cook County Circuit Court branch or on this page, but make sure that you call in advance before your court appearance.

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Review Prior Court Orders Before Appearing If Self Represented

 

You can check your case online by looking at any prior court orders entered by visiting the court's online docket, which is also known as CCCPortal or Odyssey. You will need to register and log in to review any prior court orders.

 

If you have already filed an appearance in your case and appeared in court as a self-represented litigant, also known as pro se, you may also have a copy of the court order within your email if you provided one to the court.

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What Types of Cases Does the Cook County Domestic Relations Division Hear?

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The Cook County Domestic Relations Division handles a wide range of family law issues, including divorce, child custody, modification of child custody, child support, orders of protection, legal separation, annulments, and other family law issues.

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The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Illinois Parentage Act, the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, and the Illinois Child Support Payment Act cover the vast majority of these issues.

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These laws are constantly changing every year and are important to know to litigate appropriately in court. If you or a loved one would like to hire an attorney in Cook County to assist you in your family law or divorce matter, you can book an appointment using our booking link or by calling our office at (312) 971-2581. We highly recommend using the online booking link to ensure that we are available to speak. Each consultation is free, and we are available for consultations every day of the week except for holidays.

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How Can I Represent Myself In Court?

 

Self-represented litigants have become more common in many cases due to financial concerns, but it is important to know that although representing yourself has become more common, self-representation is not a substitute for having an experienced lawyer represent you in court. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, there are many programs where pro bono attorneys can represent you.

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If you still choose to represent yourself, it is important to know the local court rules and the general administrative orders set forth by the Cook County Circuit Court, the Domestic Relations Division, and the Illinois Supreme Court Rules when appearing in court, among other laws.

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Pro se litigants are expected to conduct themselves to the same degree and with the same professionalism as attorneys. It will ultimately be up to you to ensure that you're prepared for court.

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Cook County Circuit Court Rules for Appearing By Zoom

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It is important to remember that appearing in court by Zoom for court hearings and statuses is the same as appearing in person in court.

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• Dress appropriately for court as if you were in person.

• Address the court and others with courtesy, respect, and professionalism.

• If you have an attorney, let the attorney represent you, and do not speak unless the court requests that you speak at the status or hearing.

• Patiently wait for your case to be called.

• Remain muted until your case is called, and make sure you are in a quiet area.

• Appear on time for your Zoom call.

• Do not drive or participate in other risky behavior while appearing by Zoom.

• Children should not be on the Zoom call while you are appearing in court.

• You are not allowed to record the proceeding without express permission by the court.

• Only one party should be speaking at a time. Do not speak over another person.