The short answer
What Illinois families should know.
A pretrial or case-management conference helps the court identify what remains disputed and what must happen before trial. It can also provide an opportunity to discuss settlement. It is not safe to assume that every conference will produce a final decision or that informal discussions replace the evidence needed at a contested hearing.
Read the notice and scheduling order
The word pretrial can describe different events in different courtrooms. Check whether the judge requires a memorandum, financial update, proposed settlement, exhibit list, or the parties’ personal attendance. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 218 identifies matters that may be addressed during case management, but the particular court’s orders supply the instructions for the scheduled appearance. Confirm any remote-attendance arrangements before the conference.
Separate agreement from disagreement
Prepare a concise list of resolved issues and the exact remaining choices. Instead of writing that the house is disputed, identify whether the disagreement concerns value, ownership, sale timing, refinancing, or credits. A focused statement makes it easier to discuss an implementable solution. Include the documents or calculations needed to evaluate competing positions without turning the conference memorandum into a record dump.
Account for unfinished discovery
Rule 218 addresses the scope and timing of discovery, expert witnesses, admissions, and trial preparation. Identify missing records and explain why they matter. If an appraisal or deposition is needed, propose a realistic completion sequence. Waiting until the conference to mention a long-known discovery problem can make an extension harder to justify and leave insufficient time to evaluate the resulting information.
Leave with a clear calendar
A case-management order controls the subsequent course of the case unless modified. Review the entered order rather than relying on memory of the discussion. Calendar disclosure dates, discovery deadlines, later conferences, and trial dates. If the order is unclear, address the uncertainty promptly. A tentative settlement position should also be distinguished from an agreement that the parties have actually authorized and properly documented.
Prepare
Useful next steps
- Bring a current issue list, essential financial records, and a realistic settlement range.
- Identify pending requests, expert work, and estimated completion dates.
- Review the entered order and calendar every deadline immediately.
Avoid
Common missteps
- Assuming a conference automatically decides disputed facts
- Submitting a proposal without understanding its tax or implementation consequences
- Missing a deadline because settlement discussions continue
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Related Illinois family-law guides.
Primary sources
Read the governing law and guidance.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Laws, court rules, local procedures, and individual facts can change the analysis. Reading it or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.