DuPage County Child Custody Lawyers

Attorneys for Sole Custody and Joint Custody in St. Charles, Joliet, and Lombard

At Mevorah Law Offices LLC, we have over 35 years of experience representing clients for child custody in divorce in the Chicago area and throughout Illinois. Our award-winning lawyers have in-depth knowledge of even highly complex divorces that involve challenging issues such as property and asset division, debt division, bankruptcy, tax consequences, arranged marriages, stay-at-home parents, special needs children and many others. Our attorneys are honest, compassionate, approachable, and accessible. Our clients appreciate our down to earth approach and commitment to aggressively advocate for their interests.

Sole Custody vs. Joint Custody

For many years, divorcing parents in Illinois were faced with difficult decisions regarding their children. In some cases, a sole custody arrangement was most appropriate, making one parent completely responsible for major life decisions, while the other, or non-custodial parent, may have had visitation rights and was often ordered to pay child support. In others, joint custody was granted to both parents who, together, would be responsible for decision-making.

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

A newly enacted family law reform measure is changing the way the state of Illinois approaches matters of child custody. Beginning in 2016, sole and joint custody orders will no longer be entered by the courts. Instead, specified parental responsibilities are to be allocated between the parents in a way that keeps all parties focused on the child's best interests.

One parent may still be allocated primary residential responsibilities, while the other is ordered to pay child support, but the titles of "custodial parent" and "non-custodial parent" have also been eliminated. The new law also expects that parents will develop a parenting plan that includes each parent's assigned rights and responsibilities as well as a parenting time or visitation schedule.

Ultimately, the best arrangement for parental responsibility comes down to the unique dynamics of each family. The court considers several factors and their determinations are often based upon the strength of the legal arguments presented. Our attorneys are skilled litigators and strong negotiators. We thoroughly discuss each case with our clients to decide the best course of action based on their specific needs. For a free initial consultation, contact us today at 630-932-9100630-932-9100.