Hiring the best Child Custody Attorneys in Chicago is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during divorce proceedings. Custody arrangements affect where your children live on a daily basis and impact decision making regarding their education, health, religion and extracurricular activities. They also impact the amount of time each parent spends with their children over holidays, school breaks and summer vacations. This is why it is essential to have a seasoned family lawyer protecting your rights.
A Chicago Child Custody Lawyer can help you navigate a variety of legal issues related to custody, including negotiating and drafting custody agreements that reflect your needs as well as those of your children. A Chicago Custody Lawyer can also act as a strong advocate for you in court by presenting evidence and arguments to a judge. They can also modify existing custody orders if circumstances change.
Illinois family law attorneys are skilled at navigating a wide range of legal matters involving marriage dissolution, custody, support and property division. They can help you reach a fair settlement with your spouse by utilizing mediation, alternative dispute resolution solutions and other negotiation techniques. They can also help you understand the complicated legal ramifications of property division, such as tax consequences and equitable distribution.
The goal of a child custody hearing is to determine a parenting plan that reflects the child’s best interests. Parents must come to an agreement on the allocation of decision making responsibilities and the schedule for parenting time with their children. Ideally, the parties can resolve these issues through private negotiations or a mediator. However, if they cannot agree, a judge will make a decision after evaluating both parents’ cases, evidence and witnesses.
Judges prefer involvement of both parents in a child’s life. However, they may award sole physical custody to a parent if there are concerns about the other parent’s safety or well-being. This can include a history of substance abuse or domestic violence. In such cases, a judge will likely require supervised visitation until the substance or domestic abuse issue has been resolved.
During a custody hearing, judges will examine a number of factors when making a decision, including the wishes of each party, how long each parent has been involved in the child’s life and each parent’s ability to provide a safe environment for the child. Judges will also consider the preference of the child if they are old enough to express an informed opinion.
If you are seeking legal representation for a divorce or child custody matter, contact the experienced attorneys at the Women’s Divorce & Family Law Group in Chicago. Our firm is proud to be a Lead Counsel Verified law firm. To become Lead Counsel, an attorney must meet stringent qualifications, pass a background check, maintain a clean disciplinary record and commit to providing high-quality client service. We would be happy to review your case with you and recommend a qualified Chicago Child Custody Attorney.