Illinois Courts take their responsibilities to determine the best interests of children of divorcing parents very seriously. Few decisions are harder for Judges as they appreciate the impact their orders will have on the lives of the children.
From a practical standpoint, the Court will seek to determine:
If you need assistance developing a new child custody agreement or pursuing or defending a child custody modification, it is critical to have a tenacious Illinois child custody attorney by your side who can strongly advocate for you and your child’s best interests.
As a Rockford custody lawyer and parenting time attorney with years of experience, I zealously advocate on behalf of clients in seeking the best custody outcome possible. Call 815-904-6246 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your legal rights and how my firm may be able to help.
From sole custody, joint custody, and legal custody to physical custody and split custody, there are numerous terms used to define child custody. In 2016, however, the Illinois legislature struck the word “custody” from the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act,[1] opting instead for the concepts of parenting time and parenting responsibilities.
Parenting time refers to the schedule of each parent’s time with a child (or children). The schedule can be agreed upon by both parties and approved by an Illinois family court judge. Alternatively, if the parties can’t agree on a schedule, a judge will assign a parenting-time arrangement based on the best interests of the child.[2]
Akin to the term “legal custody,” parenting responsibilities refer to both parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities regarding a child.[3] As a Rockford parenting responsibilities lawyer, I help clients in seeking their objectives in these matters.
In Illinois, the following are the primary types of parenting responsibility arrangements:
In Illinois, courts are instructed to consider the factors included in what is known as the “Best Interest Test.” These factors cover a wide variety of matters that can impact the stability of children following a divorce or separation. In general, the courts are to decide custody matters in what is in the best interest of the children.
When making a determination regarding the allocation of significant decision-making responsibilities, a judge will consider all relevant information, including without limitation, the following factors:
Due to the subjective nature of the Best Interests Test and the long-term consequences of Illinois child custody cases, it is critical for parents to consult with an experienced Rockford child custody lawyer who can emphasize the positive aspects of a parent-child relationship and zealously advocate for the desired custody arrangement.
For years I have assisted clients in Rockford and the surrounding communities with child custody matters, from those involving cooperative parties to highly contentious disputes. Regardless of the level of cooperation of the other party, I and my firm can reduce your stress by taking on the full responsibility for understanding what parenting arrangement is in the best interests of a child and developing a comprehensive plan for the custody of your children.
No, Illinois courts do not favor mothers over fathers in child custody and parenting time decisions.
Instead, there is an initial presumption for joint parenting responsibilities (also referred to as joint legal custody); however, joint custody does not imply that a child will live with each party for an equal amount of time. More typically, one parent is indicated as a child’s “Primary Residential Custodian,” with the other non-residential custodial parent typically paying child support.
We know how stressful it is to have to fight for custody of your children. As an experienced child custody attorney, I can help. I will listen to you, work with Child Custody Specialists, and properly present the Court with the information needed to make a good decision about the custody of children in a straightforward, common-sense manner, which includes showing how the Court’s order will impact your children’s daily lives.
Let me be your voice and advocate in court. In most instances, child custody matters are resolved in a mutually agreeable manner between the parents through the help and work of their lawyers. This is the outcome we typically work to achieve, although getting to an acceptable outcome can be a very tedious process. I take on this burden for clients. As a result, you won’t need to feel that you must make you case yourself.
I invite you to call my office today at 815-904-6246 to schedule a consultation to learn more about how I can seek a desirable custody arrangement for you.
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