Despite how the media portrays divorce and child custody, most divorcing couples come to a parenting plan for what had been called custody (allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time). And in spite of the changes in the terms Illinois uses in divorce and parentage cases, disputed … [Read more...] about Practice Area – Child Custody
Child Custody (Parenting Time)
Custody of Children: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Illinois law no longer uses the term "child custody." Nor is "visitation" a term in Illinois divorce law. Illinois has sought to avoid battles involved in naming the primary-residential parent–because even the term "custody" is not part of Illinois law. In short, where the term "visitation" had been … [Read more...] about Custody of Children: Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Change of Child Custody / Order Allocating Parental Responsibilities
In Illinois we call "custody modification" by the longer name: Modification of Parental Responsibilities. It can involve: 1) decision-making and 2) parenting time. Especially with the changes in the law regarding custody modification, consult with an experienced divorce lawyer if you have any … [Read more...] about Change of Child Custody / Order Allocating Parental Responsibilities
Child Visitation – Parenting Time
"Parents do not visit their children." Since 2016, this has been the law in Illinois. In 2016, Illinois divorce law eliminated the term visitation. Illinois only uses the word "visitation" when referring to grandparents and third parties–not to the parents in divorce cases. Illinois divorce law … [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 changed in … [Read more...] about Restricting Parenting Time (Visitation) and Parental Responsibilities
Relocation – Moving the Children’s Primary Residence
Illinois law calls moving more than a certain number of miles or moving out of state as "relocation." Illinois' relocation law applies to the parents with equal parenting time or the primary residential parent. How far can the child's equal or primary caretaker move without seeking … [Read more...] about Relocation – Moving the Children’s Primary Residence
