Hinsdale, Illinois Family Law Attorneys

Lawyers for Child Custody, Paternity, Domestic Violence, and More in Hinsdale

Family law matters may involve some of the most important and personal issues a person can face. Whether determining how children will be raised, navigating the dissolution of a marriage, or protecting a family member from harm, the decisions made in family law cases can affect the future of a person and family for years to come. When addressing these issues, a family law attorney can help ensure that the proper legal procedures are followed, and they can work to achieve fair and sustainable resolutions to disputes.

Every family is unique, and so are the challenges they may encounter. At Goostree Law Group, our Hinsdale family law attorneys can assist with a broad range of issues involving family relationships. Whether a matter can be resolved through negotiation or will require litigation, our lawyers will serve as both guides and advocates while focusing on our client's long-term needs and objectives.

Resolving Child Custody and Parenting Disputes

Parents who are involved in family law cases may need to address concerns related to the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. Our family law attorneys can assist parents in developing parenting plans that will provide for the best interests of their children while maintaining stability and ensuring that both parents can be closely involved in children's lives.

Our lawyers can help with:

• Negotiating Parenting Plans: These legally binding agreements will outline decision-making authority and parenting time schedules. We work to create customized plans while considering issues such as school schedules, extracurricular activities, holidays, and each parent's work schedules.
• Resolving Disputes: When parents cannot agree on parenting matters, our attorneys can help determine whether mediation may be a good solution, or we can represent clients in court proceedings, working to achieve solutions that will provide for children's best interests.
• Ensuring Accurate Child Support Calculations: We will make sure both parents' incomes will be taken into account when child support orders are established. We can also advise parents on the additional expenses that may need to be addressed when child support is paid.

Establishing Legal Parentage for Children

Paternity may be a central issue in a family law case in which a child was born to unmarried parents. Until legal parentage is established, a father may not have parental rights or responsibilities, even if he has a relationship with the child. Establishing paternity can be crucial for putting child support orders in place and creating an effective parenting plan. It can also help ensure that a child will have access to benefits such as an inheritance, insurance coverage, or Social Security.

Our family law attorneys can assist with:

• Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP): When both parents agree on a child's parentage, they can sign a VAP form to establish legal paternity without going to court.
• Court-Ordered Paternity Testing: If a child's parentage is disputed, a court may order genetic testing. Our lawyers can help clients navigate the legal steps involved in these matters while working to ensure that the child's best interests will be protected.
• Parental Rights and Obligations: Once paternity is established, we can help address child support, parenting time, and parental responsibilities.

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

Domestic Violence and Orders of Protection

Family law matters sometimes intersect with domestic violence concerns. When a person has experienced abuse or threats from a family member, immediate legal intervention may be necessary. Illinois law provides protection through orders of protection, which can prohibit the abuser from contacting or approaching the victim while putting other arrangements in place to protect the safety of family members.

Our lawyers can assist with:

• Petitions for Orders of Protection: We can take action to request emergency orders of protection to address acts of domestic violence and provide immediate safety.
• Court Hearings: We can provide legal representation when addressing the need for long-term orders of protection. Whether representing a person who is seeking protection or a person who is responding to a protective order, we will advocate for solutions that will address ongoing concerns and protect our client's rights.
• Address Related Legal Issues: Domestic violence may affect child custody, ownership or possession of shared residences, financial support, and other family law issues. Our lawyers can help clients understand how orders of protection may influence these areas, and we will work to find appropriate legal solutions.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Legal and financial planning can be important for couples who are planning to get married. Prenuptial agreements may offer couples the opportunity to define their financial rights and responsibilities, clarify how assets and debts will be handled, and reduce the likelihood of conflict in the event of divorce or death. Postnuptial agreements can serve a similar purpose, but they may be created after a couple has become legally married.

Our family law attorneys can help to:

• Draft Legally Valid Agreements: Illinois courts will only enforce agreements that are fair, voluntary, and based on a full financial disclosure by both parties. We will ensure that these criteria are met and that an agreement accurately reflects the parties' intentions.
• Negotiate Terms Respectfully: Our lawyers can help clients engage in respectful, productive discussions to ensure that each spouse's concerns and interests are addressed without creating unnecessary conflict.
• Modify Existing Agreements: Agreements can be updated at any point to address new financial circumstances. Our attorneys will ensure that updates are made properly and that all legal requirements are met.