When parents who are divorcing cannot come to an agreement on their parenting plan, the courts will take a series of steps to help them come to an agreement. Those steps typically include sending the couple to mediation, appointing a child representative, and appointing a parenting coordinator. The goal in these cases is to help the parents come to a decision about their parenting plan, all while protecting the child and the child’s relationship with both parents. Step 1 – Mediation The … [Read more...]

When an ex spouse violates a custody order, they can be held in civil contempt of court, and penalties that range from a simple warning from the court to jail time are possible. Parents need to understand their own rights in custody violation cases as well as what measures they can take to protect their children. The goal of custody arrangements is to provide both parents with parenting rights while protecting the best interests of the children. These arrangements are legally binding; violating … [Read more...]

Though they are not biological parents, stepparents in Illinois have rights in divorce proceedings or after the death of a biological parent that help them protect their relationship with their stepchildren. Under current Illinois law, stepparents are recognized as important parental figures in the life of a child, and in specific circumstances may even have the right to file for custody. Stepparents May Have the Right to File for Custody There are times in Illinois when stepparents have … [Read more...]

When a lawyer fails to fulfill professional obligations, clients are justified in seeking another attorney. Lawyers have an obligation to effectively represent the interests of their clients. A child custody attorney has the added responsibility to seek the best interests of the children involved in custody disputes. Clients Entitled to Effective Representation There are more than 63,000 lawyers in Illinois. Every year some are disciplined for misconduct. The vast majority of attorneys … [Read more...]