Child Custody Lawyers Darien
Child Custody Lawyers Darien
Although Illinois no longer uses the term child custody (changing to parental responsibilities and parenting time instead), the involved issues naturally remain as important as they’ve ever been. When it affects your time with your children and your parental rights, it’s a concern that you should not leave to chance, and you need an experienced child custody lawyer in Darien in your corner.Â
Taking on Parental Responsibilities
Parenting is a serious job that assumes an incredible array of responsibilities regarding your children’s health, safety, happiness, and overall well-being, and the terminology used by the State of Illinois addresses this fact. Parental responsibilities encompass both decision-making authority (what you may think of as legal custody) and parenting time (what you may think of as physical custody and visitation). The terms hammered out between you and your children’s other parent – or that are handed down by the court – make up your parenting plan. Legal issues related to parental responsibilities often arise with divorce, but they are also common to post-decree modifications and to parenting outside of marriage and divorce.Â
Making the Big Decisions
There are some primary decisions we make as parents that are addressed by the law directly. These include decisions about major life events, such as the following:
- Where your children go to school
- The health care your children receive
- Your children’s extracurricular activities
- Your children’s religious upbringing
You and your ex can tackle these big picture decisions together, but you can also divide them according to the kind of decision that is being made. Further, one of you may hold tie-breaking authority or may even have sole decision-making discretion. It’s also important to note that the everyday decisions we make on behalf of our children remain the purview of the parent who is with the kids at the time.Â
Your Time with Your Kids
If you and your children’s other parent are not together, you’ll need to address the matter of how you will be dividing your time with them. If you are able to negotiate the terms between yourselves, you can be as specific and creative with your scheduling as you’d like – every family typically has its own unique scheduling needs. The basic parenting time options include variations of the following:
- You and your children’s other parent have roughly the same number of overnights with your shared children.
- One of you is the primary custodial parent, while the other has what amounts to a visitation schedule.
If you are unable to reach a compromise and need the court to determine the matter on your behalf, you’ll likely receive one of the court’s basic parenting-time schedules.Â
An Experienced Child Custody Lawyer in Darien Can Help
If you are facing a concern related to your parental responsibilities, you need professional legal guidance on your side, and Cameron H. Goodman at Goodman Law Firm in Darien, Illinois, is a compassionate child custody lawyer who is well prepared to help. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
FAQs About Divorce in Illinois
What should I do if I have been served with divorce papers?
If you have received service of divorce papers, contact an experienced divorce attorney to review the documents, understand your rights, and plan your next steps. Time is critical in divorce proceedings, and having skilled legal counsel from the start can make all the difference.
How can I prepare for my initial consultation with a divorce attorney?
Bring documents such as financial records, prenuptial agreements, and a list of any questions you have. Be prepared to discuss your relevant goals and concerns openly and honestly. The more information you provide, the better we can assess your situation and develop a strategy that serves your best interests.
How are collaborative law, mediation, and negotiation different?
- Collaborative law is a structured process where both parties and their attorneys commit to resolving the divorce without going to court. It involves open communication and cooperation, with the goal of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
- In mediation, a neutral third-party mediator facilitates discussions to help divorcing parties reach a mutual agreement. Rather than making decisions, the mediator guides the negotiation process toward productive outcomes.
- Negotiation involves discussions between the parties directly or their attorneys to settle divorce terms. Unlike mediation, there is no neutral third party.
What should I expect during the divorce process?
The process typically involves filing for divorce, exchanging information, negotiating terms, and finalizing the agreement. If negotiations fail, courtroom litigation will become part of the process.
What happens if my spouse refuses to cooperate during the divorce?
If your spouse is uncooperative, the court may have to intervene to resolve disputes. At Goodman Law Firm, our attorney has experience in handling contentious cases and will advocate for your interests even in circumstances where spousal cooperation is limited.