Child custody cases are never easy. Even when the parents have remained relatively amicable toward one another and have been able to communicate effectively, there are many complications associated with the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois. In situations in which parents cannot reach an agreement about sharing custody and co-parenting, child custody cases can become quite contentious. No matter what, you need to have an experienced child custody lawyer in Chicago on your side. The dedicated team at Arami Law, Inc. can speak with you today about your child custody case.
According to Illinois law, child custody is no longer a legal term that is used to describe a parent’s legal rights and responsibilities. Instead, the terminology of child custody has been replaced with the allocation of parental responsibilities. Under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA), the allocation of parental responsibilities includes significant decision-making responsibilities and parenting time. Illinois courts rely on the “best interest of the child” standard for determining how parental responsibilities should be allocated between the parents.
In cases in which parents are able to communicate effectively with one another and to work together for their children’s sake, Illinois law allows parents to allocate parental responsibilities themselves in a “parenting plan” that is ultimately approved by the court and has the same effect as any other court order. When parents cannot come to an agreement about how parental responsibilities will be allocated, then the court will make the decision and will issue an allocation judgment.
In the allocation of parental responsibilities, the court can look to a wide variety of factors that can help to clarify what kind of parenting situation would be in the child’s best interest. Examples of those factors from the IMDMA include but are not limited to the following:
Sometimes there is a need to modify a child custody order because of a change in a parent’s circumstances or a child’s circumstances. To modify an existing allocation judgment or parenting plan, you must be able to show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances and that the proposed modification is in the child’s best interests.
Do you have questions about child custody in Chicago, or do you need help with your child custody case? Whether you are planning for a divorce that will involve child custody or you are separating from your child’s other parent and need assistance with child custody outside a divorce context, one of the dedicated and experienced Chicago child custody lawyers at Arami Law, Inc. can assist you. We know how difficult and complicated child custody cases can be, and our attorneys are here to help you. Contact Arami Law, Inc. today for more information about the services we provide in child custody cases in Cook County.
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