We would like to offer a few tips to people who have upcoming court dates for their divorce case in the Chicago area. Having to go to court is nerve-wracking enough, so we hope that these suggestions will help put people at ease. - Plan on arriving at the courthouse...
Child Custody
When Can a Child Speak to the Court?
While in Chicago divorce or parentage court we have occasionally seen a parent who brings his or her young child to court with the intention of having the child speak to the judge on his or her behalf. All parents involved in Illinois domestic relations proceedings...
Child Representatives, Guardians Ad Litem, and Children’s Attorneys in Contested Custody Cases
Illinois judges are tasked with the responsibility of deciding who should have custody of a child in a contested custody proceeding. A contested custody proceeding can take place in divorce court if the parties are married or in parentage/child support court if the...
Visitation Abuse
Illinois courts take visitation abuse very seriously. Visitation abuse may occur when a parent intentionally and for no justifiable reason denies the other parent visitation as set forth in an entered court order. Visitation abuse may also occur when a parent...
Grandparents’ Rights To Visitation
Illinois has a statute that is referred to as the grandparent visitation statute. If a Chicago grandparent wants a court to order visitation, the burden is on the grandparent to demonstrate that the parent's actions regarding visitation are harmful to the child's...
50/50 Parenting Time
We have noticed a growing trend in Chicago divorces for equal parenting time. More judges and guardian ad litems are finding that it is in a child's best interest to have both parents equally involved in the child's life. In some cases, the custody judgment provides...
A Mother Loses Custody Largely Due To Cancer
A North Carolina mother lost primary custody of her two children in large part because she has Stage IV breast cancer. The judge reportedly decided that the children, aged 11 and 5, were better off in Chicago where their father lives and works because of the mother's...
Fathers’ Rights
A lot of dads today are very involved in caring for their children. Some take their children to school, sports practice and doctors' appointments. Many fathers take an active role in daily parenting. Women do not receive the custody of minor children just "because...
Halloween And Custody
Halloween is just around the corner. Is seeing your children in costume and taking them trick or treating special to you? Is it a holiday you would like to continue to enjoy with your children? If so, let your family attorney know. Most parents know to request and...