Chicago Child Custody Attorneys
Child custody can be the most contentious and emotional issue in a divorce. Parents and children may need experienced help to negotiate an arrangement that suits both the child's needs and wishes and those of the parents. Divorce can take a significant emotional toll on a child. A solid custody arrangement will minimize the stress on both the child and the parents. It will also allow each parent to provide the best care he or she can for the child.
Under Illinois law, child custody is broken into two parts: physical custody and legal custody. Physical custody describes who the child lives with and sets out a schedule for parenting time. One parent may be the residential parent, however both parents have parenting time with the child.
Legal custody describes who has the right to make important decisions for the child. These decisions are in three areas - education, religion, and health. These decisions include where the child goes to school and when, where and how he or she receives medical treatment, and other life-shaping decisions. Sole custody allows only one parent to make these important decisions for the children while joint custody assures that these decisions are made by both parents jointly.
No one physical or legal custody arrangement is right for every family. Your child custody must be tailored to your needs and your child's needs. The child custody lawyers at Nottage and Ward have seen time and time again how the challenges presented by child custody disputes can sometimes get the best of parents. We will not let this happen to you. In examining the specifics of your situation, we will help devise a plan to help ensure that your child's best interests are accurately presented when child custody is being determined.
The best child custody option is for you and your spouse to negotiate custody arrangements without court intervening. Illinois courts focus on ordering custody that it determines is in the best interests of the child. This balancing act often results in custody arrangements that please no one. If your child custody dispute must go to court, you and your child need an attorney with experience negotiating and litigating child custody cases. Such an attorney will protect your needs during litigation.
If parents cannot agree on custody, formal negotiation during the settlement conference may help. At Nottage and Ward, our Illinois divorce lawyers are experienced negotiators who can help you and your spouse reach an accord even in contentious cases. Child custody can often be worked out with you and your attorney presenting and defending your needs and interests in negotiation with your spouse and your spouse's attorney.
Litigating child custody issues in court is a last resort. But we are prepared to guide you through the process. Illinois judges hearing child custody cases must focus on the best interests of the child. Judges consider information like the wishes of the parents and child, the relationship the child has with each parent, whether the child will be uprooted from his or her school and friends, and whether the child is in danger of physical or mental abuse from one parent or the other.
At Nottage and Ward, our Chicago child custody issue attorneys have the experience needed to stand up for you and your child during a custody dispute. For over twenty years, our sole focus has been family law. The needs of our clients and their children come first. We will answer any questions you have about child custody options at your initial consultation and beyond. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
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