Winfield Child Custody Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Clients Establish Parenting Plans in Winfield, IL

Issues related to child custody are often among the most emotionally challenging aspects of family law cases. As a parent, you want what is best for your children, but disagreements about living arrangements, decision-making authority, and visitation schedules can lead to conflict. At Goostree Law Group, our attorneys can help you understand your rights and obligations under Illinois law, and we will advocate for solutions that will protect your children's well-being while preserving your relationship with them.

With over 20 years of legal experience and numerous professional awards, our firm has guided countless parents through complex custody issues and other family law matters. We have received more than 100 positive reviews and testimonials from former clients, demonstrating the level of compassion and care we provide when addressing family-related concerns. We are here to provide the legal help you need while working to achieve solutions that will allow your family to move forward successfully.

The Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Under Illinois Law

In Illinois, "child custody" is referred to as the allocation of parental responsibilities. These responsibilities cover two primary areas:

• Decision-Making Authority: This refers to a parent's right to make significant decisions regarding their child's education, health care, religious upbringing, and extracurricular activities. In some cases, the court may allocate this authority to one parent, which is known as sole custody. However, in most cases, parents will share joint custody, ensuring that they can both participate in raising their children.
• Parenting Time: Each parent is entitled to a reasonable amount of time with their child. During a child custody case, schedules will be created that will detail when children will live with each parent. These schedules will address daily parenting time during the school year, as well as adjustments to parenting time arrangements during vacations or on holidays.

The child's best interest is the most important consideration when determining how parental responsibilities will be divided. When making decisions about child custody, courts may look at how parenting duties have been handled in the past, how well parents will be able to cooperate with each other, and other factors that may affect children's best interests.

Developing a Parenting Plan

During a family law case, parents are required to submit a parenting plan that details how they will share responsibilities and parenting time. A comprehensive parenting plan will typically include:

• A schedule outlining regular parenting time, including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and school breaks
• Transportation arrangements for exchanges between households
• Procedures for making significant decisions about the child's welfare
• Methods for resolving future disputes, such as mediation
• Provisions for communication between the child and the parents

At Goostree Law Group, we can help create parenting plans that are clear, practical, and tailored to a family's unique needs. If parents cannot agree on the terms of a parenting plan, we can advocate for solutions that will provide for children's best interests during court proceedings.

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

Addressing Complex Child Custody Issues

Some family law cases may involve factors that will require additional considerations by the court. If there are concerns about children's safety and well-being due to criminal charges, domestic violence, or other issues, the court may appoint a child custody evaluator or guardian ad litem to review the case and provide recommendations about potential solutions. Psychological evaluations may be ordered to identify any concerns that could affect children's best interests going forward.

Our attorneys guide clients through these sensitive issues, helping them protect their parental rights and address any concerns about their children's well-being. We will work to find solutions that will provide for children's safety and stability while protecting our clients' parental rights.