Tag Archives: parental rights
Understanding Parental Responsibilities, Part 2; Parenting Time
Making decisions about parenting in the wake of a divorce can be extremely difficult. It is impossible to predict what the future holds, so your only option is to create a parenting plan that will facilitate cooperation between you and your former spouse for years to come. In a previous post, we discussed the concept of significant decision-making authority and how each parent may be assignedContinue reading
Understanding Parental Responsibilities, Part 1; Significant Decision-Making
Last year, the laws regarding divorce and child custody in the state of Illinois were almost completely overhauled. The update represented the most comprehensive family law reform in nearly four decades. The intent was to bring the state’s family law statutes in line with the needs of today’s families. Among the most significant changes was to considerations for child custody. In fact, the new law all butContinue reading
How Far is Too Far to Move With Your Child?
When you share parenting responsibilities with your child’s other parent, some of your life choices may be somewhat limited. For example, an impromptu decision to take an extended vacation is no longer a reasonable possibility. Shared parenting arrangements can also impact your ability to find a new home or to seek opportunities outside of the area. Illinois law contains provisions that address such moves andContinue reading
Contesting a Proposed Relocation
It can be very difficult to maintain a healthy relationship with your child when your parenting time is limited by the circumstances of a divorce or breakup with your child’s other parent. Things can become even more difficult if the other parent decides that he or she wants to move out of the areawith your child. If you have a formal parenting plan in place, youContinue reading
The Joy of Inter-Family Adoptions
Coverage of last month’s Summer Olympics highlighted the touching story of an American gymnast and her inter-family adoption through which her grandparents formally adopted her and became her legal parents. With the support of a loving family, she was able to pursue her dreams of competing on the world’s largest stage. When a family issue becomes untenable, an adoption by a close family member mayContinue reading
The Rights of a Father During Divorce
Many people have a misconception that during a divorce, the mother always takes the children. In Illinois, that just simply is not the case anymore. While, in the old days, this story may have rung true more often than not, times have changed and are continuing to change. Our firm is dedicated to helping any father who wants to be in the lives of hisContinue reading
Contesting a Stepparent Adoption
With remarriage rates at an all-time high, more and more couples are entering into new marital relationships with children from their previous marriages or other relationships. While blended families can certainly be a challenge for many, others quickly adjust to the new reality, establishing healthy, loving bonds between stepparents and stepchildren. Depending on the circumstances of the situation, some stepparents may even look to formallyContinue reading
Adopting a Stepchild in Illinois
As the number of remarried adults in the United States reaches all-time highs, blended families have quickly become a new social norm. More and more individuals are entering marriages with children from a previous relationship. For some, such children can add a level of complexity to the new marriage, as the family must contend with visitation schedules and support orders. For many, though, the children simply addContinue reading
Child Custody and the Right of First Refusal
Divorced and unmarried parents often struggle with the amount of time they are able to spend with their children. Even in joint custody situations, it can sometimes be difficult to feel like you see and interact with your child enough. When the opportunity arises for unexpected, extra parenting time, many parents, especially those who are not the primary residential parent, will welcome the chance. This idea isContinue reading
Limiting Child Visitation in Illinois
You obviously want what is best for your child. As a parent, you probably understand that decisions that are made regarding child support, custody, and visitation are not necessarily for your benefit or that of the other parent. Instead, they are made, or at least supposed to be made, with the best interest of the child in mind to the extent that a judicial entity like aContinue reading