In cases where a child could come to immediate harm or risks removal from the state, parents can seek emergency hearings to obtain parental responsibility. While these cases often come with large amounts of stress, the process for seeking emergency hearings is relatively simple. Understanding the Circumstances for Emergency Hearings If a parent wishes to attend an emergency hearing, he or she will be required to file a petition with the court that indicates that there is an emergency situation … [Read more...]

When parents are embroiled in child custody battles in Illinois, failing to be involved in the child's daily activities, not addressing drug, alcohol, or other parental fitness issues, or disparaging the other parent can cause them to lose a custody case. Both parents have equal rights to pursue custody of their children and avoiding these types of conduct can help ensure that parents win custody of their children. Lack of Involvement Parents who do not help their children with homework, … [Read more...]

While an extramarital affair alone won't cause a parent to be ineligible for sharing parental responsibilities, it could make it more difficult to convince the court that the parent is stable and responsible. What to Know About the Decision Process A parental responsibility determination will only take the child's best interests into account. There are certain ways the courts can determine what those best interests are. These include: Which parent has acted as the child's primary … [Read more...]

While the allocation of parental responsibilities is finalized with an Allocation Judgement entered in a divorce or parentage case, this enforceable court order is modifiable under certain circumstances. However, there is a specific process that must be followed. If two parents agree to a change of parental responsibilities, they can make these modifications at any time. If they don't agree, modifications cannot be made until two years after the initial parental responsibilities order was … [Read more...]