Dupage County Lawyers
Family Law & Criminal Defense Lawyers (DuPage & Cook Counties): 630-305-0222

Child Custody

Posted Nov 06, 2018 | Category: Child Custody, Divorce
Understanding “Joint Custody” Laws in Illinois

In an ideal world, parents who are divorcing should be able to negotiate and come to an agreement as to custody and visitation issues, and the well-being of the child should come first.  Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and the courts may need to step in. While people often want to know about joint custody laws in Illinois, it’s important for parents to understand that the terminology used in the state has changed. In 2016 the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act was updated to remove the terms “custody” and “visitation” and substitute the terms "parenting time" and "allocation of parental responsibilities."...

Posted Aug 02, 2018 | Category: Child Custody, Divorce, Family Law
How Out-Of-State Moves Impact Custody

What do you do about custody and visitation when one divorced parent wants to relocate to another state? If the move involves a large distance, it can create major disruptions in the child’s life and the ability to spend time with the other parent. However, these issues can exist even if the move is within the state of Illinois – if the distances involved are large enough. Any move that disrupts an existing family schedule can lead to conflict and negatively affect the children involved. In January, 2016, as part of the revised Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act,  the law regarding...

Posted Mar 14, 2017 | Category: Child Custody, Divorce

Raising children is difficult enough when there are two of you doing it – for single parents, it is even more challenging.  In recognition of the hard work, devotion and sacrifices of single parenting, March 21st has been set aside to observe National Single Parent Day.  This is a day to support and appreciate a family member, friend, neighbor, co-worker or someone else who is a single parent. If you are a single parent, use this day to make it special and to be especially supportive of yourself. The experienced and compassionate Illinois family-law attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., understand the...

Posted Feb 08, 2017 | Category: Child Custody
Illinois Visitation Attorney

Working out a shared parenting time schedule can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but when long distances are involved, it becomes much more complex.  When parents live far away from each other, the child lives with one parent and visits the other parent. The amount and schedule of visitation should depend on the child's age, the needs of the child, and what works for the parents. Illinois child visitation guidelines are flexible; so as long as you and your co-parent are in agreement, you can come up with any visitation schedule that suits your lifestyles and that of your...

Posted Dec 09, 2016 | Category: Child Custody
Illinois Child Custody Attorney

Having a parent in jail is a traumatic experience that affect’s a child’s mental health, social behavior, education, and prospects for a good and happy life. Often, these children wind up acting out in school, blaming themselves, missing developmental milestones, having trouble making emotional attachments, and being judged by others. Later on, they may exhibit unhealthy adult behaviors such as alcoholism, depression, anxiety, and obesity. Data from the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children’s Health Report estimates that 5.1 million children in this country have had a parent in jail or prison at some point. This is not surprising since the U.S. imprisons...

Posted Aug 19, 2016 | Category: Child Custody
Illinois Parental Responsibility Attorney

What’s in a name?  When it comes to child custody, terminology can make a vast difference in how a parent is viewed by the child, the spouse, and society at large. When the courts say that one parent has “custody” and the other parent has “visitation,” it may feel like one parent is a “winner” and the other is the “loser” in a custody dispute.  To eliminate this unfairness, on January 1, 2016, Illinois became a trendsetter by changing terms like “custody” and “visitation” in divorce and parentage cases. THE OLD TERMS AND WHAT THEY MEANT: Custody:  In the past, the term...

Posted Aug 19, 2016 | Category: Child Custody
Illinois Child Custody Attorney

Child custody disputes are devastating for divorcing spouses and their children.  If you are fighting and having trouble coming to an agreement with your divorcing spouse, the courts may appoint a “guardian ad litem” (GAL) to determine what is in the best interests of the child. According the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, when deciding on whether to appoint a GAL, the court will consider the evidence and will evaluate whether there are other methods available to obtain necessary information, such as through mental health or social service professional recommendations. The expense is considered as well. Some judges may appoint...

Posted Jun 27, 2016 | Category: Child Custody
How Is Child Support Calculated in Illinois? 

One of the hardest adjustments for children after divorce is learning to live with one parent instead of both parents at the same time. Children are resilient, but they also feel these changes deeply, and Illinois parents should be sensitive to the emotional needs of the children during this transition. For many children, it is beneficial for them when parents share child custody 50-50 instead of one parent having primary custody. Many parents seek primary custody because it is an instinctive reaction to the sudden or difficult end of a marriage. Parents may feel that they alone can offer their children the safety...

Posted May 24, 2016 | Category: Child Custody

Divorce brings about significant changes for every member of the family, particularly the children. Even when Illinois parents work very hard to establish a parenting plan that suits the needs of the family and best interests of the kids, it can be difficult to maintain the details of these agreements long-term. Even between the most amicable of parents, a child custody modification may be necessary. One of the most significant life changes for children is the remarriage of one or both parents. Depending on the individual situation, what worked in the past may not function as well after a parent remarries. Children...

Posted May 13, 2016 | Category: Child Custody

Illinois parents who are facing divorce have many complex and daunting issues ahead. For many, divorce may bring a welcome end to a long emotional battle. For others, the divorce petition can blindside, bringing sadness and a very real sense of grief. No matter the circumstances of the individual situation, temporary emotions should never guide a parent as he or she attempts to navigate important matters like child custody. There is no question that divorce is hard. Even when couples are amicable, it is still an arduous process to sift through paperwork, divide marital property and make financial decisions. Admitting how difficult...

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