Divorces involving children are more complex, emotional, and contentious than others. Parents love their children fiercely and want the best for them. Sometimes this intense parental love can cloud their reasoning and make a difficult situation even harder on everyone involved.
Illinois law requires parents to determine how they will divide parenting time (time spent living with a child) and parental responsibility (decision-making authority for the child). By hiring a skilled child custody lawyer in Hinsdale, you can ensure that you have an advocate on your side to inform you of your rights and help you to see the situation clearly.
The short answer is yes. In Illinois, the law requires both parents to contribute to their child’s financial well-being. The exact amounts you will be required to pay are determined by your own circumstances and how much money you earn. By working with experienced child custody attorneys in Hinsdale, you can ensure you pay or receive the child support amount you should be under the law.
The family court judge can consider a child’s desires. However, they will never be the only basis for determining parenting time. Family courts determine arrangements that maximize time for both parents while keeping the child’s best interests in mind.
If you want joint parental rights of your child, you will need to submit a parenting plan to the judge. The parenting plan should include the parenting schedule (where the children are and when) and the parenting responsibilities of each party.
Parental responsibilities you should decide upon include matters such as your child’s education, health, religion, extracurricular activities, and others. Recent changes to Illinois family law don’t support a “winner takes all” system. Instead, it’s encouraged to divide parental responsibilities between both parents as long as they are fit.
Even if both parents don’t agree, a judge may require you to submit your preferred parenting plan. This provides the judge with as much information as possible so that they can make well-informed decisions. Your child custody lawyer in Hinsdale can help you create a parenting plan that is ideal for you. They can also assist with negotiating a parenting plan between you and your child’s other parent.
Parenting plans are supposed to be permanent until the child reaches the age of 18. However, the courts recognize that sometimes life circumstances change and that sometimes parenting plans need to be flexible and change with them. If you believe you have a situation that might necessitate a change to your parenting agreement, don’t hesitate to reach out to child custody attorneys in Hinsdale as soon as possible. Your attorney can evaluate your circumstance to help you identify the next best steps, your needs, and what is in your child’s best interest.
Suppose you have kids and are either headed for or are in the middle of a divorce. In that case, it’s critical to have assistance from child custody lawyers in Hinsdale. With an attorney by your side, you will have an advocate, someone who can help you negotiate, and a voice of reason.
At the Goodman Law Firm, we know how trying parenting issues can be, especially in the middle of an already potentially heated divorce. We do whatever we can to make this process easier for you and your children. Reach out to us today for a private consultation to begin your legal representation.
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