Article IX. Child Custody or Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Proceedings · Part B. Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Proceedings Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 · Last amended 2016 · Last verified July 20, 2026
In one sentenceRule 922 gives trial courts 18 months from service of the petition to a final order to resolve allocation-of-parental-responsibilities cases under the Marriage Act and Parentage Act, and requires written findings whenever that deadline slips.
Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 922
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All allocation of parental responsibilities proceedings under this rule in the trial court shall be
resolved within 18 months from the date of service of the petition or complaint to final order. In the event this time limit is not met, the trial court shall make written findings as to the reason(s) for the delay. The 18-month time limit shall not apply if the parties, including the attorney representing the child, the guardian ad litem or the child representative, agree in writing and the trial court makes a written finding that the extension of time is for good cause shown. In the event the parties do not agree, the court may consider whether an extension of time should be allowed for good cause shown.
Plain-English Summary
Custody disputes tied to a divorce or parentage case can drag on, and delay hurts children as much as anyone. Rule 922 puts a number on how long that should take: 18 months from the date the petition or complaint is served to a final order.
If a case runs past that mark, the trial court has to put its reasons in writing. The 18-month clock can stretch only if the parties — including any attorney for the child, guardian ad litem, or child representative — agree in writing and the court finds good cause for the extension. Absent that agreement, the court can still allow more time, but only after finding good cause on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my divorce custody case take to resolve?
Rule 922 sets an 18-month target from service of the petition to a final order.
What happens if my case takes longer than 18 months?
The trial court must make written findings explaining the reasons for the delay.
Can the 18-month deadline be extended?
Yes, if all parties — including the child’s attorney or guardian ad litem — agree in writing and the court finds good cause, or if the court finds good cause on its own when the parties don’t agree.
Does this deadline apply to juvenile abuse and neglect cases?
No. Rule 922 applies to allocation-of-parental-responsibilities cases under the Marriage Act and Parentage Act, not to Juvenile Court Act proceedings.
What can I do if my case is taking too long?
Raise the delay with your attorney or the court directly — the rule requires the judge to document the reasons for any delay in the case record.
Committee Comments
(Revised March 8, 2016)
Special Supreme Court Committee on Child Custody Issues Rule 922 provides that allocation of parental responsibilities matters in dissolution of marriage and paternity cases must be resolved within 18 months. Written findings are required if the deadline is not met, and extensions of the time limit may only be granted for good cause shown, on written finding by the trial court.
Amendment History
Adopted February 10, 2006, effective July 1, 2006; amended Mar. 8, 2016, eff. immediately.
Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and
amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules,
promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026.
· Official source
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