Adoption is a familiar term that most people understand. However, guardianship is less known even though it is a popular alternative to adoption. In Illinois and other states, you can seek legal guardianship of a child who is under 18 years of age. Let’s take a closer look at how adoption and legal guardianship are similar and different.

Similarities

If you become the guardian of a minor child, you have the legal authority to act as the child’s part in every area of their life. You are now the one responsible for providing for them financially and making important decisions about their life. An adoption is similar in that it will also provide you with the authority a biological parent would have.

Divorce mediation gives couples who are ending their marriage the opportunity to resolve problems outside of the courtroom. It involves a mediator who points out certain issues and helps couples come to mutual agreements. The goal of the mediator is to remain neutral but allow each spouse see both sides clearly. Five of the most common mediation myths include:

1. Mediation is not for couples who do not agree on anything.

It is important to note that you do not have to agree on everything with your spouse. The purpose of mediation is to assist you and your spouse in resolving divorce problems outside of court. A mediator can help you find a common ground and come to an agreement with your spouse.

The family law lawyer you select for your case can make a significant impact on your current life and future. Therefore, it is essential that you choose the right one. Since there are a plethora of family law matters such as divorce, child custody, spousal support, and parenting plan modifications, your goal should be to find the lawyer who has experience handling a case similar to yours. To help you find the right lawyer, consider asking any lawyers you interview the following questions:

1. How long have you practiced family law?

You do not want to choose a lawyer who is a jack of all trades and represents clients in all types of cases. By selecting a lawyer who has been focusing on family law for many years, you can ensure that they will understand the complexities involved in your case.

Going through a divorce is difficult. Even if you have an amicable relationship with your soon to be ex-spouse, the process can be emotional and overwhelming. Regardless of your situation, you should remember to take care of yourself during this challenging time. This way, you can keep your physical and mental health under control. Here are seven tips for practicing self-care during divorce:

1. Get Enough Sleep

In order for your body and brain to function well, you should try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each evening. If you have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep because there is too much on your mind, try to take a warm bath, meditate, or listen to some soothing to relax your mind and get you in the mood for sleep.

Divorcing parents have the right to collaborate and come up with a parenting plan that works for both of them. If they cannot come to an agreement, a judge will look at what is in the best interests of the children and design a parenting plan.

In many divorces, the goal is to give both parents close to equal parenting time. This way, each parent can play an active role in their children’s lives and children can be raised by both of their parents. Parenting time is granted to both parents unless there is some type of child endangerment issue.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for one parent to try to withhold parenting time from their ex-spouse. Let us dive deeper into what it means to withhold parenting time and what your options are when your ex takes away from your time with your children.