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Supreme Court Rule 13 Illinois Courts

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Complaint (Parentage Alleged by Father)

STATE OF MINNESOTA

COUNTY OF

DISTRICT COURT

JUDICIAL DISTRICT

FAMILY COURT DIVISION

In Re the Marriage of:

________________________________

Petitioner,

AND

________________________________

Respondent,

Court File No.

COMPLAINT

(parentage alleged

AND by father)

********************

, being first duly sworn, alleges for his cause of action:

I.

The true and correct names, addresses, and social security numbers of Plaintiff and Defendant are:

Plaintiff:

SSN:

Defendant:

SSN:

II.

Plaintiff is being represented in these proceedings by , Esquire, of

, (address), (city), (state) (zip code).

III.

Plaintiff's date of birth is , and he is () years of age.

Defendant's date of birth is , and she is () years of age.

IV.

Plaintiff (and the minor child) reside(s) in the County of , State of Minnesota. Defendant (and the minor child) reside(s) in the County of , State of Minnesota.

V.

On or about the day of , , in the City of , County of , and State of , Plaintiff, , and Defendant, , had sexual intercourse.

VI.

By reason of said sexual intercourse, Defendant became pregnant with a child, , who was born (out of wedlock) in the City of on the day of , .

VII.

Blood tests indicate that there is a percent likelihood that Plaintiff is the father of said minor child. Plaintiff requests that he be adjudicated the father of said minor child. The parties have agreed that Plaintiff is the father of the minor child.

VIII.

A of parentage, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § has been signed by . Plaintiff is the father of said child, and .

IX.

are fit and proper custodian(s) for said minor child, and the best interests of the child will be served if are awarded legal and physical custody.

X.

Defendant is capable of contributing to the support of said minor child.

XI.

Plaintiff is employed as a by , located at .

He has gross income of $ per and net income of $ per .

Defendant is employed as a by , located at .

She has gross income of $ per and net income of $ per .

Plaintiff is dependent upon Defendant for a contribution to the support of the minor child(ren) of the parties. Neither party receives public assistance.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for the Judgment and Decree of this Court as follows:

ADJUDICATION

1. Adjudicating Plaintiff to be the father of the minor child, .

CUSTODY/VISITATION

1. Granting the sole legal and physical custody of said minor child subject to 's right to visitation.

2. Granting Plaintiff and Defendant the joint legal custody of said minor child, and designating as (his)(her) sole physical custodian subject to 's right to visitation.

3. Granting Plaintiff and Defendant joint legal and physical custody of said minor child.

4. Ordering such custody, care and control of said minor child as the Court deems in (his)(her) best interest.

CHILD SUPPORT

1. Ordering such support for said minor child as the Court deems just, fair and equitable.

2. Ordering to pay to a reasonable sum of money for the support of said minor child.

3. Reserving the issue of support for said minor child.

INCOME WITHHOLDING

1. Requiring that the child support payment by be made by income withholding pursuant to Minn. Stat. §518.613.

INSURANCE

1. Requiring that / both parties provide medical (and dental) insurance for the benefit of said minor child (in a just and equitable manner).

NAME CHANGE

1. Ordering that the minor child's name be changed from to .

SUCH OTHER

1. For such other and further relief as the Court deems just, fair and equitable in the premises.

Dated:

Firm

By

Attorney for

VERIFICATION

STATE OF MINNESOTA)

)SS.

COUNTY OF )

, being first duly sworn, upon oath deposes and says that he is the Plaintiff in the above-entitled action; that he has read the foregoing Complaint, knows the contents thereof and that the same is true and correct, except as to those matters therein stated on information and belief and as to those matters he believes them to be true.

Plaintiff

Dated:

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 20.

NOTARY PUBLIC

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF MINNESOTA )

) SS.

COUNTY OF )

, the attorney for Plaintiff in the above-captioned matter, and , Plaintiff herein, hereby acknowledge that pursuant to Minn. Stat. §549.21, costs, disbursements, witness fees and reasonable attorneys' fees may be awarded to Defendant in the event Plaintiff is found to be acting in bad faith and/or asserting a frivolous claim.

Plaintiff

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 20.

Notary Public

Attorney for Plaintiff

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of , 20.

Notary Public

Enter text

What Supreme Court Rule 13 (Illinois) Covers and Why It Matters

Supreme Court Rule 13 in Illinois is a procedural court rule within the Illinois Supreme Court Rules framework that governs a specific category of appellate practice and filings in Illinois courts. Practitioners use Rule 13 to comply with requirements for submitting documents, assembling the clerk's record, and following timelines that affect appellate review. Understanding the rule helps litigants and counsel avoid waiver, preserve issues for appeal, and ensure filings meet format and service standards used by Illinois trial and appellate clerks. This guide explains typical fields, filing timelines, common pitfalls, and options for authenticated electronic filing or signature where permitted.

Why Following Supreme Court Rule 13 Protects Your Appeal

Correct application of Rule 13 reduces the risk of procedural dismissal or waiver by ensuring records are complete, served properly, and timely. Compliance makes the appellate process smoother for clerks, opposing counsel, and the reviewing court.

Why Following Supreme Court Rule 13 Protects Your Appeal

Who Typically Prepares or Relies on Documents Under Rule 13

Accurate, complete submissions reduce administrative rejection, preserve appellate issues, and shorten processing time for the court and parties.

  • Appellate attorneys preparing briefs and records for court review and ensuring issue preservation.
  • Trial counsel assembling transcripts, exhibits, and clerk entries for inclusion in the appellate record.
  • Court clerks and judicial assistants reviewing submitted materials for compliance with procedural formatting and timelines.

Step-by-Step: Preparing a Rule 13 Submission

Follow these sequential actions to compile and file documents that align with Supreme Court Rule 13 procedures. Adjust for local circuit or appellate court local rules that supplement the statewide rule.

  • 01
    Collect Record: Gather the clerk's record, transcripts, and exhibits required for appeal.
  • 02
    Verify Content: Confirm all pages, exhibits, and index entries are present and numbered.
  • 03
    Format Documents: Apply required margins, cover page info, and pagination consistent with court rules.
  • 04
    File and Serve: File with the correct clerk and serve opposing counsel within prescribed deadlines.

How to Configure an Online Filing or eSubmission Workflow

When preparing documents for electronic filing or secure eSubmission, set up a workflow that matches the court's authentication and file-format requirements.

Field Configuration
Signing Order Set signer sequence: preparer → counsel → filer
Authentication Use email + optional SMS code for attribution
Reminders Enable automated reminders at day 3 and day 7
Attachments Accept PDF/A for long-term preservation

Technical Considerations for eFiling and eSignatures

Match platform settings (file format, signer authentication, and retention) to the court's rules to avoid rejection or additional requests for paper copies.

  • Supported Formats: PDF/A preferred; DOCX acceptable for drafts in some systems
  • Authentication Level: Court may accept email-attributed e-signatures; some filings require notarization or RON
  • Audit Trail: Retain an audit trail with timestamp, IP address, and signer attribution

Typical eSubmission Flow for Rule 13 Materials

A standard electronic workflow reduces manual steps while preserving proof of submission and signatures.

  • Upload Files: Sender uploads clerk's record PDFs and supporting exhibits
  • Place Required Fields: Add signature, date, and certificate-of-service fields
  • Authenticate: Signers confirm identity via email link or SMS code
  • Submit Record: Filer sends package to court portal and retains audit trail

Essential Elements of a Professional Rule 13 Submission

A complete submission follows formatting, indexing, authentication, and service conventions that clerks expect. These components reduce processing delays and preserve appellate rights.

Complete Index

A detailed index of record volumes, transcripts, and exhibits that allows the court to locate materials without supplemental requests.

Accurate Pagination

Consistent pagination across volumes and exhibits to support pinpoint citations in briefs and judicial review.

Certificate of Service

A signed certificate stating how and when opposing counsel and parties were served, including dates and contact details.

Transcripts

Reporter-certified transcripts for all hearings relied on, with dates and reporter names clearly listed.

Cover Letter

Clerk-facing cover sheet with case caption, docket number, filer contact info, and volume summaries.

Authentication

Signature or eSignature with audit trail plus any notarial wording where the court requires notarized verification.

Security, Privacy, and Recordkeeping Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP addresses, and signer attribution retained
BAA Availability: HIPAA BAA available where required
Regulatory Compliance: ESIGN, UETA, and 21 CFR Part 11 support
Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO options
Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA conformance

Consequences of Incomplete or Untimely Rule 13 Filings

Dismissal Risk: Court may dismiss or refuse to consider untimely or incomplete records
Waiver of Issues: Failure to include transcripts or exhibits can waive appellate issues
Service Defects: Improper service can invalidate filings and extend litigation
Rejection for Form: Noncompliant formatting may result in clerk returns and delay
Sanctions: Repeated noncompliance could trigger court sanctions
Increased Costs: Additional briefing or supplemental filings increase time and expense

Common Errors to Avoid When Assembling the Record

  • Missing transcripts or uncertified reporter statements that the court expects
  • Incorrect or inconsistent pagination across volumes and exhibits
  • Incomplete exhibit descriptions in the index preventing quick review
  • Deficient certificate of service lacking dates or recipient details

Typical Timing Triggers and Deadlines to Track

Rule 13-related filings must be coordinated with the appellate briefing schedule and any local rules that adjust timing. Confirm exact dates with the clerk's office.

Filing Deadline:

Follow the court's scheduling order; missing it risks dismissal

Service Deadline:

Serve opposing counsel by the same date you file with the clerk

Transcript Ordering:

Order transcripts immediately; reporter lead times vary

Correction Window:

Some courts allow short correction periods after filing

Local Rule Variations:

Circuit or appellate local rules may shorten or extend timeframes

Key Milestones from Trial Court Record to Appellate Filing

Track these sequential milestones so the record is ready for appellate submission and meets Rule 13 timeframes.

01

Order Transcripts

Request necessary transcripts from court reporters without delay

02

Assemble Exhibits

Collect and number exhibits for inclusion in record volumes

03

Prepare Index

Draft a complete index mapping volumes, exhibits, and transcript pages

04

File Record

Submit assembled record and certificate of service to the clerk

Comparison: eSignature Vendors for Rule 13 Submissions and Record Assembly

Select a platform that supports PDF/A, audit trails, and the authentication level your court accepts. The table compares starting prices and key capabilities across vendors with signNow listed first.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-World Examples of Record Preparation and eSubmission

These condensed case examples show how teams handle Rule 13 record assembly and authenticated delivery.

County Public Defender Office

The office standardized an indexing template to reduce missing exhibits

  • Reduced time locating exhibits by central indexing
  • As a result, clerk returns dropped and briefing proceeded without supplemental filings, saving staff hours per case and improving case flow.

Private Litigation Firm

A firm used validated eSign with audit trails for certificate-of-service evidence

  • Enabled quick proof of service across multiple parties
  • The practice avoided contested service disputes and shortened time to oral argument and decision.

Frequently Asked Questions and Quick Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about preparing and eFiling materials associated with Supreme Court Rule 13 in Illinois, and troubleshooting tips for eSignature and submission issues.


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