Dads’ Rights Divorce Attorney Chicago

Dads’ Rights Divorce Attorney Chicago

Many fathers are concerned that, with divorce, they will be at a disadvantage regarding issues related to parental rights, decision-making and parenting time (what used to be called child custody). While it is important to take your parental rights – as they relate to divorce, post-decree modifications, and custody concerns outside of marriage and divorce – seriously, it’s also important to know that the days of a mother’s rights routinely usurping a father’s rights have fallen by the wayside. If you are a father with concerns regarding your divorce-related parental rights, reach out to an experienced dads’ rights attorney in Chicago today. 

The Court’s Position on the Matter

When it comes to matters that involve children, the court’s position is always in support of the children’s best interests. And the fact is that prevailing wisdom on the topic continues to find that children are nearly universally better off when they are allowed to forge deep relationships with both parents by spending a considerable amount of time with each (barring a compelling reason for determining otherwise). 

In other words, the court’s starting position is in line with fathers’ rights, but defending your parental rights – in pursuit of divorce terms that work for you and your kids – is paramount. It is important to note that, when it comes to divorce, the court often seeks to limit the upset experienced by the children involved and, as such, may be inclined to maintain the status quo as it relates to your children’s current living situation. 

Parental Responsibilities

The State of Illinois breaks child custody issues into both parental responsibilities and parenting time. Parental responsibilities refer to who will be making important decisions on behalf of the children, including those related to the following:

• Their education
• Their religious education
• Their healthcare needs
• Their extracurricular activities

There is no preconceived notion that mothers are better equipped to make big picture parenting decisions, and while this decision-making authority can be sole or joint, it can also be allocated between both parents according to the kind of decision being made. 

Parenting Time

Parenting time determines the schedule whereby you and your ex will split your time with your children. As mentioned, if one of you has traditionally been the primary caregiver, the court may be influenced to maintain the status quo and to make that parent have a greater number of overnights with the children. Parents can also, however, split their time with their kids more evenly. If you and your divorcing spouse are able to hammer out a parenting schedule that you can both live with, you will be afforded all the scheduling flexibility you’d like. If not, however, you’ll likely receive a standard parenting time schedule from the court.  

Seek the Legal Guidance of an Experienced Dads’ Rights Divorce Attorney in Chicago Today

If you have concerns related to your rights as a father, the practiced dads’ rights attorneys at WARD FAMILY LAW in Chicago are standing by to help. To learn more, please don’t wait to contact us today.