Child Custody And Visitation Lawyer In Chicago

When parents divorce, important decisions will need to be made regarding their shared child or children. The main issue usually involves where the children will live primarily and how to craft the best parenting schedule for the children and both parents.

The state of child custody litigation, and what it means for you as a parent is changing at a rate faster than any time in recent history. In Illinois, the new term for child custody and visitation is “allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.” The term covers both parenting time (child custody and visitation rights) and decision-making.

If you have a dispute with your spouse over child custody and decision-making, you need to have representation that is at the forefront of custody litigation and is ahead of the curve — not chasing to catch up.

Each parent is different, and the needs of each child are different. The attorneys at O'Connor Family Law, P.C., know this best. Our law firm has the skills and experience to assess the unique qualities of your child custody case to determine the most advisable custody and visitation arrangement and litigation strategy. Whether that means joint custody, sole custody, or something in between, we work toward the outcome that protects the best interests of the children and your rights as a parent.

When your child’s future is the issue, whether it’s before, during or after a divorce, our experienced Chicago, Illinois, our child custody and visitation attorneys can help.

Child custody and visitation rights are often the two most hotly debated elements of any contested divorce. Our attorneys have sought, and achieved, the practical and lasting solutions needed to maintain parents’ prominent roles in their children’s upbringing.

Legal Considerations For Parenting Time In Illinois

When it comes to parenting time, also called visitation rights in some states, Illinois courts focus on the child’s best interests. When separating parents try to determine what is best for a child, discussions often become contentious and the court must decide on a parenting schedule. This is especially true when it seems like one parent is favored over another. Factors the court considers when determining the child’s best interests include:

• Each parent’s wishes
• The child’s adjustment to home, school and community
• The mental and physical health of the involved parties
• Any history of abuse or violence

The court may also consider the child’s custody and visitation wishes and evaluate their maturity and ability to express reasoned preferences. A parenting time attorney can provide invaluable guidance and protection in a child’s interactions with the court.

Illinois family courts also consider a child’s ongoing educational needs and living conditions when reviewing parenting plans and parenting time. The court examines how each parent’s living situation might impact the child’s schooling and overall stability. Some of the main factors they consider are:

• The distance between each parent’s residence
• Each parent’s ability to provide transportation for the child
• Each parent’s ability to maintain a consistent routine

An attorney for visitation rights can help parents create a plan for parental responsibilities that supports their child’s educational needs and promotes a stable living environment.

If a parent’s actions pose a serious threat to the child’s physical, mental, moral or emotional well-being, the court may limit their parenting time. Restrictions can include:

• Supervised visits
• Mandated locations for visits
• Prohibition of overnight stays
• Denial of visits if the parent habitually uses drugs or alcohol

Additionally, other family members, such as grandparents, great-grandparents, stepparents and siblings, can request visitation rights. However, these relatives must demonstrate they have been denied visits and that continued contact serves the child’s best interests. Our child custody lawyers can assist extended family members in petitions for visitation time by explaining how they can meet all legal requirements. Even if you are on good terms with your co-parent, it is a good idea to create a clear and detailed parenting plan to avoid future disagreements and confusion. This is just one way visitation lawyers play a role in protecting the rights of children and all their loved ones in challenging times.

Finding Solutions To Child Custody Disputes

• Are you dealing with custody issues that stem from your interfaith marriage such as decisions for a child’s education or religious upbringing?
• Are you struggling with disagreements over child access after the end of your same-sex marriage?
• Are you seeking a modification of custody and visitation obligations in your divorce settlement agreement because of a change in lifestyle, such as the loss of a job and the need to look for another, business or military transfer, or the search for specialized health care available only in another state?

These are important concerns that our law firm will meet with great care and attention. We understand that, as a parent, you only want the best for your children. We use the legal system to protect your rights as a parent and help you obtain the best possible outcome, an outcome that makes both you and your children happy.

These immediate and long-term divorce and family law issues are the reasons why family law firms like O'Connor Family Law, P.C., exist. Our attorneys are here when you need them, assisting with coordination of schedules, as they relate to availability for parenting time, and suggesting ways of keeping lines of communication open between family members after a divorce.

Need Help Resolving A Custody Dispute?

We listen carefully to your wishes and goals, respond with realistic recommendations, offer honest answers to your questions, and provide maximum availability to our law firm’s expertise throughout the legal process.

While going through a divorce is stressful, particularly when you have a child or children, sound advice and guidance from dedicated attorneys can ensure the process is as comfortable and successful as possible.

To arrange your initial consultation, call 312-445-0577 or send us an email message. Se habla español.