West Chicago Child Custody Lawyers

Attorneys Protecting Your Children's Best Interests in West Chicago, IL Child Custody Matters

Most parents are fiercely protective of their children. You have probably been a big part of your children's daily lives since they were born. A divorce or separation means that your children will likely split their time between you and your future ex, and you will need to address a variety of legal issues related to child custody. Making good choices while dealing with strong emotions is not easy, but the actions you take now can have a tremendous impact on your children's future. You need a skilled family law attorney who understands the challenges you are facing and knows how to help you overcome them.

When you choose Goostree Law Group, you can trust us to provide sound advice based on our extensive legal knowledge and over 20 years of experience. We will provide a customized approach to your child custody matters, guided by your unique circumstances, priorities, objectives, and the best interests of your children. We can help you focus on your children's needs rather than your emotions, all while protecting your parental rights.

Illinois Physical and Legal Custody Considerations

As you separate or divorce, you and your co-parent need to develop a comprehensive parenting plan. This plan will detail various rights and obligations that will apply to both parents. Think of it as a handbook for raising your children as co-parents. Your parenting plan can encompass many situations that could arise during your children's upbringing, providing clear expectations for all parties involved.

Making Major Choices for Your Children

The allocation of parental responsibilities will establish either sole or joint legal custody. A parent with legal custody will have the authority to make major decisions for their children. With joint custody, you will not need to consult your co-parent about what to feed your children for dinner, but you will need to work together to make important choices, such as those involving healthcare, religion, and education.

In most cases, giving both parents joint authority is the ideal way to serve the best interests of your children. However, your situation may include some extenuating circumstances that could make sole custody a better option. We can help you decide which type of custody to pursue. We can help you craft a parenting plan that fits your unique situation, and either you or the other parent may have primary authority in certain areas.

Deciding Where Your Children Will Live

Physical custody is often split, with both parents having regular parenting time with their children. When developing parenting time agreements, you need to consider various factors, such as:

• Each parent's living situation and location
• The level of attachment your children have to each parent
• Each parent's ability to provide appropriate care for the children
• Your children's ages and any special needs
• Each parent's work schedule
• The children's safety and well-being
• Whether either parent is unfit, such as in cases of domestic violence, substance abuse, a parent engaged in criminal activities, or mental disorders

If your children are old enough and mature enough, you may also ask if they have a preference.

In too many cases, parents and their attorneys may not take the time to customize their parenting time plans and make sure their family's unique concerns will be addressed. A generic plan often creates problems rather than solves them. We will always tailor our recommendations to your specific circumstances, and we will work to negotiate agreements that will meet the needs of you and your children.

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

Modifying or Enforcing Existing Child Custody Orders in Illinois

Circumstances often change as time goes on. The best-thought-out custody arrangements may no longer work with your new situation. We can assist with requesting modifications of your court orders to ensure that they will continue to serve your children's best interests. If necessary, we can help you protect your parental rights by taking action to enforce the terms of your parenting plan.