Despite how the media may portray divorce and child custody, most divorcing couples come to a parenting plan for what was formerly called custody (allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time) that is in the best interests of the children. And in spite of the 2016 changes in the … [Read more...] about Practice Area – Child Custody
Child Custody (Parenting Time)
Custody of Children: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Since 2016, Illinois law no longer uses the term "child custody." Nor is "visitation" a term in Illinois divorce law. Clearly with the changes to Illinois law the goal is to avoid battles of which parent will be the named as the primary-residential parent because eve that term is not in the law. In … [Read more...] about Custody of Children: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Change of Child Custody / Order Allocating Parental Responsibilities
What was called custody modification is Illinois is now called modification of an order allocating parental responsibility or of "parenting time." Especially with the changes in the law regarding "custody modification" it is critical that you consult with an experienced divorce lawyer if you have a … [Read more...] about Change of Child Custody / Order Allocating Parental Responsibilities
Child Visitation – Parenting Time
"Parents do not visit their children." And since 2016, this has been the law in Illinois. Since January 1, 2016, Illinois divorce law virtually eliminated the term visitation. "Visitation" is now a concept that only applies to grandparents and third parties -- not to the parents in divorce cases. … [Read more...] about Child Visitation – Parenting Time
Restricting Parenting Time (Visitation) and Parental Responsibilities
In 2016, Illinois law regarding restricting parenting time significantly changed. Historically, the focus was merely on whether there was serious endangerment and then restrictions usually were defined as prohibiting overnight visitation or requiring visitation to be supervised. This changes … [Read more...] about Restricting Parenting Time (Visitation) and Parental Responsibilities
Relocation – Moving the Children’s Primary Residence
Illinois law calls moving more out of the state with minor children (or a significant distance within the state) "relocation." The law regarding relocation changed dramatically in 2016 and this law applies to the child's current primary residence. How far can the child's primary caretaker move … [Read more...] about Relocation – Moving the Children’s Primary Residence