Elmhurst Child Custody Lawyers

When parents separate or divorce, decisions related to their children will be some of the most important issues they will need to address. These decisions include where children will live, how important decisions about raising children will be handled, and how children's time will be divided between their parents. Decisions about the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time may have an impact on a family for years to come.

Parents who need to address issues related to child custody can benefit from working with an attorney who understands the personal stakes involved in these cases and the best ways to resolve disputes and address legal concerns. At Goostree Law Group, our lawyers represent parents in Elmhurst, working to resolve the disputes that may arise during or after a divorce or separation. With our years of courtroom experience and our commitment to protecting the best interests of children, we can provide effective guidance and representation. We will take time to explain each step of the legal process in plain language, and we will work to find solutions that will meet a family's needs.

How Illinois Law Addresses Child Custody

As parents determine how child custody will be handled after a divorce or separation, they will need to understand how specific issues are handled in Illinois courts. The aspects of child custody that may be addressed in family law cases include:

• Allocation of Parental Responsibilities: This refers to the authority to make significant decisions about a child's life. Parents will need to determine how matters related to children's education, healthcare, religious instruction or activities, and extracurricular activities will be handled.
• Parenting Time: This refers to the schedule that determines when each parent will be physically responsible for a child. Parenting time may include any days and times that children live with each parent or spend time with them.

How Decision-Making Responsibilities May Be Allocated

Courts can allocate decision-making responsibilities to one parent or to both parents jointly. In some cases, different types of responsibilities may be divided between parents. For example, one parent might have primary decision-making authority over their children's education, but both parents may share responsibility for making healthcare decisions.

When determining how responsibilities should be allocated, factors related to parent/child relationships, previous agreements between parents, and other issues affecting the best interests of children may be considered. Decisions may be based on how parents had made decisions in the past, how well they will be able to cooperate when raising their children, whether each parent is willing to encourage their children to have a close relationship with the other parent, any history of neglect or abuse by either parent, and any other issues that may affect the health, safety, and well-being of children.

Creating a Parenting Time Schedule

Parenting time schedules can take many forms depending on the needs of children, the work schedules of each parent, the ability of each parent to provide a safe environment for children, and the ways transportation arrangements may be handled. Some families may adopt a schedule where children will spend roughly equal time with each parent. In other situations, children may spend most of the time living with one parent while spending regular time with the other parent.

During a child custody case, a parenting plan will be created that will address practical matters such as:

• The regular daily and weekly schedule detailing when children will live or spend time with each parent
• Parenting time arrangements during holidays and school breaks
• How children will be transported between the parents' homes and how exchanges will be made
• When and how one parent will be able to communicate with children during the other parent's parenting time

A well-drafted parenting plan can help to prevent future disputes by addressing potential issues before they arise. Our attorneys work with clients to draft parenting plans that are realistic, accounting for the activities that take place during a family's daily life, encouraging strong parent/child relationships, and providing for flexibility when necessary.