CHILD CUSTODY
LAWYER FOR CHILD CUSTODY IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, HOFFMAN ESTATES, GLENDALE HEIGHTS, PALATINE
AND SCHAUMBURG
The issue of child custody is sensitive matter which needs to be decided based on the best interest of the child. According to Illinois Laws on Best Interest of Child, the court considers relevant factors in determining custody such as the wishes of the child's parent or parents, the wishes of the child, the child's interaction with his parent or parents, the child's adjustment to his home, school and community, the mental and physical health of all individuals involved, the physical violence or threat of physical violence, the occurrence of ongoing abuse, etc. Depending on the facts and circumstances of each case, the parent can request the court to issue an order for temporary custody. Later on the issue of permanent custody is decided by the court based on the evidence submitted by each party.
The following are types of custody that the court awards depending on the totality of the case.
Sole Custody - One parent has the right to have the child live primarily with him Primary custody can include situations where the child spends weekends, or every other weekend, with one parent, the child spends holidays or select occasions with one parent or the child has phone or internet visits with a parent who lives far away.
Joint Custody- Both parents share the responsibility of major decision making and/or physical control, and have similar or equal amounts of time with the child. In Joint Custody arrangements, the child may live part of the week with each parent, the child may move back and forth on a weekly basis, spending one week with each parent or the child may move on a monthly basis.
"Birds Nest Custody" - Parents take turns moving in and out of the home which allows the child to remain in the pre-divorce family home.
Contested custody issues can be addressed through a temporary hearing where the court enters an order creating a temporary custody solution depending on the circumstances, through a mediation process to resolve future custody and visitation disputes, through a custody evaluation conducted by a court-appointed mental health professional or through a trial where the court makes a determination on the best interest of the child based on numerous factors.