Child custody in Illinois consists of parental responsibility (previously referred to as legal custody) and parenting time (previously called visitation). Parental Responsibility A parent who is awarded sole parental responsibility in Illinois will be responsible for making decisions affecting their child – anything from where a child will attend school to what medical procedures they…Read More
Concerns About Child’s Safety During Scheduled Parenting Time
If you are concerned that your child is in an unhealthy environment during scheduled parenting time with an ex-spouse you may think about how you can protect your child. Examples where a parent may worry about the well-being of their child may include situations where an ex-spouse is using drugs or is violently fighting with…Read More
Post Judgement Modification after Divorce
There are a number of reasons why divorced couples may seek a post judgment modification, including matters that involve the custody and support of children. Not surprisingly, with the passage of time, adjustments to child support or parenting time may be needed. A substantial change in circumstances since the entry of the last order may…Read More
Custody When a Parent Suffers from Mental Illness
Sometimes, marriages break up because one parent suffers from mental illness, which often manifest in behaviors that erode the relationship. Aggression toward a spouse or other family members, excessive spending putting a family at financial risk, or issues of addiction to drugs or alcohol may be related to a spouse’s struggle with mental health. Custody…Read More
When Divorced Parents Don’t Agree on Vaccinating Children
Parents across the U.S. have been greatly impacted by the measures to contain Covid-19 from school closures to mandates requiring their kids to mask up in school or get a vaccination. Over the course of the last two years, divorced parents first had to cobble together new parenting time arrangements on the fly, sometimes running…Read More
Can Legal Marijuana Use Affect a Child Custody Determination?
Many Illinois parents wonder if their marijuana use can be used against them in a child custody dispute despite the legalization of both recreational and medical marijuana use in the state. Legal or not, irresponsible drug or alcohol use can indeed negatively affect a custody determination, so it is important for a parent to check…Read More
Quick Glance at Custody Evaluations
Deciding on a parenting time arrangement is not always easy, especially in a contested divorce. Sometimes a court cannot determine a parenting time or parental responsibility arrangement that is in the best interests of the child without the help of professionals such as a custody evaluator – a professional that can work with the parents,…Read More
Illinois Parenting Time and Parental Responsibility Defined
The language used to define child custody in Illinois can be confusing. What was once referred to as legal custody is now called parental responsibility while physical custody is now referred to as parenting time. To understand what the terms mean, it is important to take a closer look. Parental Responsibility Parental responsibility can be…Read More
Comprehensive Parenting Time Agreement
A comprehensive parenting time agreement not only includes a detailed schedule for the kids to spend time with each parent, but may also address issues such as screen time, dating parents, how to share expenses, or even how to resolve disputes in the future. Parents in Illinois often share custody of children which provides relatively…Read More
Hiring an Expert Witness in a Child Custody Case
An expert witness is a professional qualified as having the knowledge, skill, experience, training or education in a particular area beyond that of an average person, who may testify in court based upon sufficient facts or data. When a couple is embroiled in a child custody dispute, an expert witness such as a mental health…Read More
