Hoffman Estates Child Custody Lawyer

Even when parents are going through a messy divorce, most spouses can at least agree that they want what is best for their children. The problem is coming to an agreement together on what the best situation is. When you are struggling to reach an agreement on child custody and parenting time in Illinois, you need to speak with a Hoffman Estates child custody lawyer.

At SAM LAW OFFICE LLC, our team of family law attorneys understands how difficult disputes are when they involve your children. We also recognize the seriousness and sensitivity of these disputes. This is why we offer skilled, yet compassionate, legal representation to parents like you who want to finalize their divorce and child custody agreements so you can start moving on. Our priority is to help you work through these issues while making sure that the legal system protects your rights. The best outcome is one that benefits both your child and you.

How is Child Custody Decided in an Illinois Divorce?

When you are going through the divorce process, you will notice that custody and visitation are not called by those names in Illinois. Recent changes in the law now call them allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. The revised process looks at who will be responsible for making important decisions in their child’s life and how time is allocated between each parent. Unless there is an issue of safety, judges prefer to develop an agreement that allows involvement from both parents.

No matter what your situation is, the family court judge has one main priority — to decide custody based on what is in the best interests of your children. This means that what the court decides may not be what you or your spouse specifically hoped for. The court understands that there is no one scenario that works for every family situation. This is why the judge will consider a number of important factors when making a decision. Some of these factors include:

• The overall physical, mental, and emotional health of each family member;
• How well your child is already adjusted to their present living situation, which includes how the relationship is between their siblings and with each parent;
• Both parents’ criminal history, including whether there is a history of domestic violence allegations or one parent is a registered sex offender;
• What decisions the parents have made in the past, including keeping a child out of school for religious reasons or refusing to vaccinate them;
• What the wishes are of the children, provided they are old enough to express their wishes; and
• The wishes of each parent.

There is no one single element that is the deciding factor in an Illinois child custody case. The judge will look at all of the factors and determine which are the most important. 

Contact an Illinois Child Custody Lawyer 

If you need assistance with an Illinois divorce and/or outstanding child custody issues, do not attempt to resolve them on your own. Let a skilled Hoffman Estates child custody lawyer help. Contact SAM LAW OFFICE LLC today to schedule an initial consultation.