If you are a mother who is facing a divorce, it is only natural to wonder what your rights are as a parent. Further, many fathers believe that mothers are automatically afforded more parental rights when it comes to divorce. Whatever your situation is, however, it is important to understand that the State of Illinois bases all decisions related to child custody – or parental responsibilities – on the best interests of the involved children. There is no preference between mothers or fathers, and both begin with equal rights under the law. If you have concerns related to your parental rights, it’s time to consult with an experienced Illinois child custody attorney.
Illinois addresses child custody in terms of parental responsibilities, which includes parenting time. Both decision-making authority and visitation schedules must be hammered out, and the court is always guided by the best interest of the involved children. There is no presumed preference in relation to the father or the mother. There are, however, two important best-interest factors that correlate with positions that mothers have traditionally filled in the past and that helped to support the idea that mothers had more considerable parental rights. Over time, however, even the perception of this bias has lessened considerably. These factors include:
These factors are somewhat more likely to apply to mothers – especially in the past – which can skew the perception of mother’s rights.
The range of factors that Illinois courts turn to when making decisions regarding child custody include all of the following (and how these factors relate to you as a parent will help to determine your parental rights moving forward):
At SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC, our trusted Illinois child custody attorneys recognize the gravity of your parenting concerns and are committed to employing the full force of our impressive experience and legal insight in pursuit of a beneficial resolution. Your priorities are our priorities, so please don’t put off contacting us for more information today.
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