Carol Stream, IL Child Custody Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Parents Resolve Child-Related Disputes in Carol Stream, Illinois

When parents decide to end their relationship, some of the most difficult issues that may be addressed during a separation will involve their children. While parents may have worked together to make decisions related to their children in the past, they may struggle to cooperate after a breakup. Multiple types of disagreements may arise, and both parents may be concerned about what steps will need to be taken to ensure that their children's needs will be met. Understanding how these issues are addressed in family courts can help ensure that the proper child custody arrangements will be put in place.

The attorneys at A. Traub & Associates can provide guidance for parents in family law cases, making sure they will be able to resolve disputes related to their children and protect their parental rights. We help our clients understand the legal issues that may arise during a case and the steps they can take to protect their children's best interests as they resolve disputes. Our goal is to put solutions in place that will meet children's needs and make sure our clients can provide the care their children deserve.

Common Disagreements Between Parents

Some of the most frequent issues that can lead to disputes between parents in child custody cases include:

• Living Arrangements: Decisions about where children will live most of the time can be a central issue in a child custody case. Both parents may believe that it would be best for children to live in their homes. Transportation arrangements can also create friction, especially when parents disagree about who will be responsible for pickups and drop-offs and how exchanges will occur. Disagreements about holidays and school breaks can also arise as parents take steps to put parenting time schedules in place.
• Medical Decisions: Parents may have different views on matters such as which doctors will provide treatment for children and what forms of treatment will be appropriate. Each parent may want to ensure that they will be able to consent to certain medical procedures or make decisions about how to address children's mental health needs.
• Education: Parents may disagree about what schools children will attend, including whether they may be enrolled in private schools or participate in specific educational programs. Issues such as special education services, tutoring, or how to maintain good grades may also lead to disputes between parents.
• Other Child-Related Issues: Disputes may arise about religious upbringing, extracurricular activities, travel with children outside the state or country, and how new partners will be introduced to children. These concerns can affect children's daily lives, but by addressing them in a child custody agreement, parents can minimize conflict and make sure they will be able to provide for their children's best interests.

How Family Courts Address Parental Responsibilities

Ideally, parents will be able to work together to reach agreements about child custody. However, when parents cannot agree on how parenting time or decision-making authority will be handled, a family court judge may need to make decisions about child custody. The focus in these cases will be on children's best interests, and a wide range of factors may be considered.

Judges will consider children's relationships with each parent, as well as siblings, extended family members, and others who may play a role in their lives. A child's adjustment to their home, school, and community can play a role in decisions, and steps may be taken to help maintain stability and ensure that a child can continue attending the same schools or participating in activities they have enjoyed in the past. In some cases, judges may consider children's wishes, and the wishes of each parent may play a role in the decisions that are made.

One important factor involves each parent's willingness to ensure that children can maintain a close relationship with the other parent. A court may take steps to address situations involving parents who have attempted to limit the other parent's involvement, interfered with their parenting time, or taken other actions to harm parent/child relationships. Judges may also consider any history of domestic violence or abuse and take steps to protect children's safety and well-being.

In some cases, decision-making authority may be shared by parents, allowing them both to participate in major decisions. In situations where joint decision-making may not be workable, one parent may have sole or primary authority over certain types of decisions. Courts will also put parenting time schedules in place, making sure they both understand the days and times when children will spend time with each parent while also addressing holidays, school breaks, and other days and times that may deviate from the regular schedule.

Developing a Parenting Plan

The issues related to child custody will be addressed in a parenting plan, which will be part of the orders put in place by a family court. Parents may submit a parenting plan to the court together after reaching agreements, or each parent may submit their own proposed plan, and the court may make decisions about how to resolve any disagreements. In addition to detailing how decision-making authority will be handled and providing a parenting time schedule, a parenting plan may include procedures for resolving future disagreements, rules regarding communication, terms related to the right of first refusal, and other issues that could affect parents and children.

Contact Our Carol Stream Child Custody Lawyers

Disagreements about parenting time, decision-making authority, and other child-related matters can be some of the most emotionally difficult aspects of a family law case. At A. Traub & Associates, our lawyers work with clients to ensure that they can address these issues correctly, and we focus on finding solutions that will provide for children's best interests going forward. We can provide the legal help clients need as they take steps to resolve disputes and put effective parenting plans in place. Contact our Carol Stream, IL child custody dispute attorneys at 630-426-0196 to arrange a consultation.