Naperville Child Custody and Parental Responsibilities Attorneys

Parenting Time and Visitation Lawyers Serving DuPage, Will, and Cook Counties

Concerns related to the allocation of parental responsibilities, previously known as child custody, are some of the most challenging issues in family law because parents are so emotionally invested in the outcome of the proceedings. Whether they derive from a divorce or paternity action, these matters require both skill and sensitivity to achieve a successful outcome. At J. Aldrich Law, P.C., our attorneys are experienced in handling all types of parental responsibilitiy, child custody, parenting time,and visitation matters. We work closely with our clients to understand your objectives and strive to achieve those objectives in the most efficient way possible.

Determining Parental Responsibilities in Illinois

As with other states, the child’s best interest is the top priority in the Illinois family court system. The court considers numerous factors when making decisions about who will handle the care of a child. Recent changes to the law in Illions have revised certain provisions of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act ("IMDMA") including some related to child custody.

The law, as it is now written, shifts focus away from sole custody and joint custody in the state. Instead, the court will allocate parenting responsibilities to each parent according to its discretion. These responsibilities include making decisions involving the child’s religion, education, health, extracurricular activities, and so on. The majority of parenting time can still be awarded to one parent, however, and the other parent would still be required to pay child support.

Child Relocation in Illinois

The amended law also updated the way in which child relocations are handled in Illinois. The parent with primary residential responsibilities for the child, or the parent with the majority of the parenting time, will no longer be able to move anywhere within the state without court approval. Under the new law, parents will only be able to move children 25 or 50 miles from their current residences (depending on the current county of residence). Any relocation outside of that radius requires court approval. Our attorneys stay up-to-date on all of the changes in Illinois family law, and we will explain if and how your parental rights may be affected.

Contact a Skilled Naperville Child Custody Lawyer

If you are getting a divorce and/or are in need of assistance working out a parenting plan, contact our attorneys at 630-953-3000 to schedule a free consultation. We will explain how these matters are decided in Illinois and what you can expect from the legal process. Our experienced family law firm is located in Naperville, and we work with mothers and fathers throughout Northern Illinois especially in DuPage County and Will County. We also handle cases in Cook, Kane, and Kendall Counties.