Child Custody Illinois

 

New to Illinois - the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

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Recently, Illinois eliminated the term "custody" in favor of the Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and eliminated "visitation" in favor of "Parenting Time."  Regardless of its title, children need and deserve the care and support of both parents.

 

Whether you are considering divorce, a dissolution of your civil union or you were never married, it is important to affirm your parental relationship and secure the time you need to maintain a strong relationship with your child, and continue to have a solid influence over his or her life by being part of major decisions affecting your child’s education, healthcare and activities.

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We Fight for Your Rights

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At the law offices of Ciesla Beeler, we represent mothers and fathers in the greater Chicago area in child custody, visitation and paternity cases. Our goal in all legal matters relating to your child is to minimize hostility between parents while ensuring your child has the emotional and financial support he or she needs, which includes your maximum involvement as a parent.

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We use every available method to help you arrive at a workable child custody and visitation agreement: mediation, collaborative law, cooperative law, and if those options are inadequate, family court litigation. If you would like to know more about how we can help you and your child, contact our law office to speak with a child custody lawyer in Northfield.

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Illinois Parenting Plan

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Illinois law requires parents to enter into a "Parenting Plan," which is: a written agreement that allocates significant decision making responsibilities.

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Illinois law defines significant decisions as those which involve healthcare, education, religion and extracurricular activities.

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A thorough and detailed child custody agreement or Parenting Plan can prevent a host of problems from developing — and a visit back to court. Holiday and vacation residence, pick-up and drop off times and locations, how decisions will be made and disputes resolved — these can all be covered in a Parenting Plan.

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Best Interests of the Child

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Generally, Court's determine who makes decisions and what time is spent with the children considering what is in the child's best interests.  

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Some of Illinois Best Interest Factors Include:

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• the wishes of the child taking into account the child's maturity and ability to express his/her preferences

• the child's adjustment to his/her home, school and the community

• the mental and physical health of all of those involved

• the ability of the parents to cooperate and to make decisions

• the level of conflict between the parents

• any prior agreements between the parents

• the wishes of the parents

• the child's needs

• the distance between the parents' homes

• the willingness of each parent to facilitate and encourage the child's relationship with the other parent

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Why Ciesla Beeler?

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The value of working with an experienced divorce and family law attorney, like those at Ciesla Beeler is that we understand the range of issues involved in complex cases involving children. We can help you consider and address issues in advance, before they become a problem.

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Contact our Illinois Attorneys to Help you with your Custody and Visitation Issues

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At Ciesla Beeler we have the experience and knowledge to help you with your child custody and visitation issues.  Our attorneys are recognized throughout Illinois and are ready to meet with you to assess your case and provide sound legal strategies to address your situation.  Contact us today via email info@cieslabeeler.com or call 847.868.1860 for your free consultation.

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