Hinsdale Child Custody Attorneys

Attorneys for Joint or Sole Custody in Hinsdale, IL Family Law Cases

Many of the most sensitive issues addressed in family law cases will be related to child custody. During divorce cases and in other situations, parents may need to determine how to address matters related to the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. The arrangements put in place in family court will not only determine where a child will live but also how parents will make important decisions regarding children's upbringing.

When addressing concerns related to child custody, parents will need to understand their rights, their legal obligations, and the steps they can take to protect their children's best interests. The parents' ability to cooperate will often be a significant factor that may determine how issues may be resolved. A knowledgeable child custody attorney can provide guidance through this emotionally charged process, working to help achieve solutions that will promote stability and healthy family relationships.

At Goostree Law Group, our Hinsdale child custody lawyers work with our clients to address concerns related to their children and advocate for workable co-parenting arrangements. Whether helping to negotiate a cooperative agreement or advocating for our clients in court, we work to resolve disputes effectively while focusing on the well-being of children. With our help, parents can create agreements that will be flexible enough to grow with their children's needs.

Joint Custody and the Preference for Cooperative Parenting

Illinois courts will usually take steps to establish parenting arrangements that allow a child to have an ongoing relationship with both parents. Parents are encouraged to work together to address their children's needs, which can help ensure that they will be able to provide safe, supportive environments for children. This approach, which is commonly referred to as joint custody, may allow each parent to remain actively involved in major decisions affecting the child's life, including those related to education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities.

Our attorneys work with our clients to develop parenting plans that clearly define:

• Decision-Making Responsibilities: Parents can determine how major decisions related to their children will be made. Authority in certain areas may be shared equally, or one parent may have primary authority in specific areas.
• Parenting TimeSchedules: Parents can establish arrangements detailing when children will reside with each parent or spend time in a parent's care. The schedule will need to address regular weekdays and weekends, as well as holidays, vacations, and special occasions.
• Communication Guidelines: Effective co-parenting requires clear communication. A parenting plan can establish protocols for sharing information about the child's well-being, managing schedule changes, or resolving disputes.
• Transportation and Exchange Details: Practical arrangements for transferring children between the parents' households can help minimize conflict and ensure consistency.

Call 630-584-4800 and let us help your family.

When Sole Custody May Be an Option

Although cooperative parenting is encouraged, there are some situations where shared parental responsibilities may not be appropriate. In these cases, one parent may seek to have sole decision-making authority. This may be necessary when the other parent:

• Has a history of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence
• Struggles with substance abuse or mental health issues that may impact their parenting ability
• Has been absent from the child's life and lacks a meaningful relationship with the child
• Consistently fails to cooperate in making important decisions or following parenting agreements

To obtain sole custody, a parent will need to demonstrate to the court that this type of arrangement would serve the child's best interests. They may present evidence such as medical records, police reports, testimony from professionals, or documentation of past parenting behavior.

Our lawyers can help clients gather the necessary evidence, prepare legal filings, and present a compelling case for sole custody in court. It is important to understand that sole custody may not necessarily mean that the other parent will have no contact with the child. Parents are usually entitled to reasonable amounts of parenting time, as long as this would not put children at risk of physical or emotional harm. Our attorneys can take steps to request restricted or supervised parenting time if this will be necessary to protect a child's safety and well-being.