Call for Consultation(312) 341–0900
Chicago Child Custody Attorneys
In Illinois, state courts refrain from using the terms custody and visitation and instead refer to these concepts as the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, respectively. Courts recognize that parents are often in the best position to decide what would be in a child’s best interests, and they strongly encourage divorcing couples to negotiate their own parenting plans in order to divide parenting time and responsibility for parental decision-making between the parties. When coming to this type of agreement is not possible, a family law court will be required to step in and create a parenting plan that it deems to be in the best interest of the couple’s children. It is especially important in these situations to speak with experienced Chicago child custody attorneys who can work to protect your child’s best interests.
Parenting Time Factors
Unlike many states, which have standard parenting time schedules that courts must enforce, Illinois requires courts to create plans that address the specific needs of the family in question. This is achieved through the application and evaluation of the following factors, all of which are intended to help determine the course of action that would best serve the needs of the child:
- The wishes of both parents and the child, if the child is deemed mature enough to have a reasonable preference
- The child’s home, community, and school record
- The child’s relationship with each of the parents and any siblings
- The mental and physical health of both parents, as well as the child
- The distance between the parents’ residences
- The parties’ daily schedules
- Whether one parent was primarily responsible for childcare-related activities in the last two years
- Whether there is a history of abuse or neglect in the family
- Each parent’s willingness to facilitate a close relationship between the child and the former spouse
- Any prior agreements between the parents
After assessing these factors, courts will draft a parenting time schedule that takes into consideration not only school days and weekends but also spring, summer, and winter breaks, as well as holidays and family vacations. An experienced Chicago child custody attorney can help parents customize a plan to their unique circumstances.
Parental Decision-Making Responsibility
In addition to parenting time, divorcing couples with children must divide responsibility for decision-making. In most cases, courts are in favor of granting both parents equal decision-making authority over important issues related to child-rearing, such as education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities. This is true even if one parent is named the primary custodian of the child, as courts usually deem it in the best interests of children to receive input from both parents when it comes to childcare-related decisions. However, if the parties would like (or if the court determines it is necessary), one parent can be solely responsible for any or all of these decisions.
Call a Chicago Child Custody Attorney Today
To speak with one of the experienced Chicago child custody attorneys at Corri Fetman & Associates, Ltd. about your own custody-related questions and concerns, please call our office to request a consultation.
Ready To Take The Next Step?
Schedule Your Appointment Online Now!
Click the button below to book your appointment effortlessly and conveniently.
Call for Consultation
(312) 341–0900
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | Privacy statement