While the motivation behind it varies by parent, child custody is one of the most frequently contested elements of a divorce or separation. Some parents cannot imagine their lives without seeing their children every day, and some worry about what will happen to them while they are in the care of the other parent. Other parents are financially motivated in custody battles or want to make the divorce process difficult on the other parent. Our Chicago child custody attorneys are skilled negotiators that can help you and your soon to be ex-spouse determine a parenting plan that will meet both of your needs and the needs of your children. If your spouse is unwilling to negotiate such a plan, we will fight for your rights in court.
There are two types of custody that parents can be awarded in a divorce. Legal custody is the power to make crucial decisions for your children. Parents with legal custody will have the final say in where the child attends school, their religious upbringing, and any medical decisions that need to be made.
Physical custody is which parent the child will live with or how much time they will spend living with each parent. Keep in mind that both legal and physical custody can be split or assigned to one parent only, depending upon what the court believes to be in the best interest of the kids involved. Your Chicago child custody lawyers can help you understand more about how shared custody works.
It used to be that mothers were the court’s preferred parent for physical and legal custody of the children. However, that has changed, and now gender has no bearing on the ruling of the court. The court looks at many different factors in the lives of the parents and children to determine the best course for child custody.
When determining what is in the best interest of the child for custody, the courts consider:
The courts are not permitted to consider any marital conduct when determining custody unless that conduct impacts the parent’s relationship with the child. Your Chicago child custody attorneys will ensure that the court is considering all legal factors when determining custody.
At WARD FAMILY LAW, LLC, our Chicago child custody lawyers understand how draining custody battles can be. We work hard to protect your rights as a parent and to ensure your child is where they are safe and loved. Whether we need to negotiate with your spouse or take your custody issues before a judge, we do whatever it takes to achieve the best outcome for your family. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
I'm so thankful that I found Jennifer and her awesome team to help me with my divorce! It was incredibly stressful and scary to go through this process, especially with two little ones, but she has given me the support and confidence that I need. She is extremely intelligent, level-headed, supportive, and reasonable! I was anxious in the beginning thinking that I would have to go to court, but she gave me the peace of mind that I needed to get thru it and not be anxious. I would highly recommend her to anyone going through this difficult process. I…
She is a nice lawyer. She helped me to fix my passport issue among other things, including family problems.
Initially, I'd thought to navigate through troubled waters on my own in the divorce process due to the cost. I hadn't before needed representation in any court case, and, not being familiar with the costs involved in having a lawyer, I was worried about moving forward with one. My fear was the expense. I felt comfortable with Jennifer Ward from the moment I first spoke with her - contacting her to set up a consultation costs you nothing. In the end, the retainer and fees spent to end my case on a high note were worth every penny. They sent…
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