Libertyville, Illinois, Child Custody Lawyer
Where do the children live?
For a caring parent, no question can be more important. Custody of the children is an important issue in many divorce actions. The goal is to achieve a custody arrangement that meets the best interests of the children. Even simply deciding where the children will spend the holidays and who will have parenting time during summer vacations can affect the emotional well-being of a child.
There are several different types of custody, including physical, legal, and joint custody. Physical custody refers to where the children will live and which parent will have direct control over their everyday activities. Legal custody refers to the right of a parent to make important decisions for the children, such as in the areas of healthcare, education, and religion. Joint custody is the situation where both parents share the legal and/or physical responsibility for their children’s well-being.
Settling on the children’s best interests is often an elusive goal. Both parents may feel that they offer the better option for their children’s home. Each parent may have legitimate concerns about the other’s parenting abilities, or they may simply be concerned about being a consistent part of their child’s upbringing. Too often, parents embroiled in a divorce will use a request for custody or a threat to request custody as a weapon. This “weapon” may be used to try to gain some other kind of bargaining edge in the proceedings, such as concessions on the division of property.
Whatever the reason, children should not be used as a weapon. There is only one legitimate reason to contest the custody of a child, and that is because the parent believes that the custody arrangement proposed is not in the child’s best interest. This can be the result of physical or emotional abuse, neglect, and substance abuse problems of the other parent. Children are often the ones who suffer the most in a divorce action—more than their parents in many cases. A battle over custody can make that suffering worse, and cause the children emotional pain that can last for many, many years. I am a child custody attorney who is very sensitive to the needs of children of divorcing parents.
I can help you work through questions of child custody and visitation or parenting time. If possible, we will work together, to craft a fair and reasonable custody arrangement. If it is not possible, as your lawyer, I will fight vigorously to ensure that the interests of both you and your children are protected.
Contact me if the custody of your children may be an issue in your divorce. If you are in the Libertyville, Illinois area, you can reach me at 847-680-8520. I will help you reach a solution you can all live with.
