Elmhurst Family Law Attorneys

Lawyers for Child Custody, Paternity, Adoption, and More in Elmhurst, Illinois

Family law matters touch on some of the most personal and important aspects of the lives of spouses, parents, children, and other family members. When dealing with concerns related to parenting arrangements, establishing paternity, seeking guardianship of a loved one, or building your family through adoption or assisted reproduction, you will want to make sure legal issues will be addressed correctly. The decisions made in family law cases can affect the well-being of children, define parental rights and responsibilities, and establish the legal relationships that form the foundation of a family.

Family law encompasses a wide range of legal concerns, and each situation brings its own challenges and considerations. A child custody dispute may involve questions about what arrangements will best serve a child's needs. A paternity case may require legal action to protect a father's right to maintain a relationship with his child. Regardless of the specific issue, an attorney who understands the law and the human issues involved in family matters can make a meaningful difference in the outcome of your case.

At A. Traub & Associates, our lawyers provide legal representation for clients throughout the Elmhurst area who are facing family law challenges. We approach each case with a commitment to communication, collaboration, and compassionate advocacy. Our team understands that family law matters are rarely just about legal procedures—they involve real people making decisions that will affect their lives and the lives of those they love. We work closely with our clients to protect their rights while prioritizing the best interests of children and families.

Child Custody and Parenting Time Arrangements

When parents are unmarried, divorcing, or no longer living together, decisions about child custody and parenting time will need to be made. Child custody cases will involve two key components: parenting time (the schedule that determines when the child will be with each parent) and decision-making responsibilities (the authority to make important decisions about the child's education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities).

The primary factor addressed in child custody cases is the best interests of the child. Courts will evaluate multiple factors when making decisions, including the wishes of the child (if the child is mature enough to express a preference), the mental and physical health of all parties, the child's adjustment to their home and school, and each parent's willingness to encourage a relationship between the child and the other parent.

Our lawyers work closely with parents to develop parenting plans that will serve their children's needs while protecting their parental rights. We understand that every family has unique circumstances, and we help our clients put arrangements in place that will provide stability for children while encouraging strong family relationships. Whether you are seeking to establish a parenting plan for the first time or need to make modifications to child custody because your family's circumstances have changed, we can provide the legal help and strategic guidance you need to achieve a favorable outcome.

Establishing and Enforcing Child Support

Child support is meant to ensure children will have the resources they need to maintain stable living situations. In Illinois, guidelines defined in state laws are used to calculate child support obligations. These guidelines take into account the combined net income of both parents, the number of children requiring support, each parent's amount of parenting time, and other factors. Child support orders may also address additional expenses such as healthcare costs, educational expenses, and childcare.

Whether you are seeking to establish a child support order, enforce an existing order, or modify support due to a change in your financial circumstances, our attorneys can provide the legal help you need. We understand how to present financial information effectively, and we will advocate for arrangements that reflect the true needs of your children while protecting your financial interests.

Paternity and Fathers' Rights

When a child is born to married parents, the father's paternity is automatically presumed. However, when parents are not married, paternity must be established through either a voluntary acknowledgment or a court order. Establishing paternity is essential for fathers who want to exercise their parental rights and maintain a relationship with their children.

Once paternity is established, a father will have the same legal rights as a mother, and he may take steps to address child custody concerns. Paternity will also create obligations, including the responsibility to provide financial support. In some cases, paternity disputes may arise when there is disagreement about who is the biological father of a child.

At A. Traub & Associates, we are committed to protecting fathers' rights in paternity matters, and we can also work with mothers to establish paternity and ensure that a child will receive child support. Our attorneys can assist with voluntary acknowledgments of paternity, provide representation in contested paternity cases, and take steps to address issues related to parenting time and custody once paternity has been established.

Adoption Proceedings

Adoption will create a permanent parent-child relationship between people who are not biologically related. Illinois law recognizes several types of adoption, including:

• Agency Adoption: Adoption through a licensed child welfare agency.
• Private Adoption: Direct placement adoption arranged between birth parents and adoptive parents.
• Stepparent Adoption: Adoption by a spouse of a child's legal parent, which will require the termination of the other biological parent's rights.
• Relative Adoption: Adoption by a family member, such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle.

The adoption process involves multiple legal steps, including home studies, background checks, consent or termination of parental rights, and finalization hearings. Each type of adoption has its own legal requirements and procedures. Our team can guide adoptive parents through every stage of the adoption process, ensuring that all legal requirements will be met.

Guardianship of Minors and Adults

In some cases, a court may appoint a person who will be authorized to make decisions on behalf of someone who is unable to make those decisions themselves. There are two primary types of guardianship: guardianship of minors and guardianship of adults.

Guardianship of a minor may be necessary when a child's parents are unable to provide care for the child. A guardian of a minor will have the authority to make decisions about the child's care, education, and medical treatment. Guardianship differs from adoption in that it does not terminate the legal rights of the biological parents. In some cases guardianship may be temporary.

Guardianship of an adult may be established when a person is unable to make decisions about their own care due to disability, illness, cognitive decline, or other issues. This type of guardianship may be necessary to ensure that vulnerable adults will receive appropriate care and that their financial and personal affairs will be managed responsibly.

Our attorneys can assist with petitions for guardianship and represent guardians in court proceedings. We can provide ongoing legal support to ensure that guardianship arrangements continue to serve the best interests of people who need care, assistance, or supervision.

Surrogacy and Egg Donor Agreements

For people who are building their families through assisted reproduction, legal agreements will need to be put in place to establish parental rights and clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved. Surrogacy and egg donor arrangements can be complex, and they will need to meet the requirements of Illinois law.

Surrogacy agreements outline the rights and obligations of intended parents and gestational surrogates. These agreements may address issues such as medical expenses, compensation, decision-making during pregnancy, and the legal process for establishing parental rights after a child's birth.

Egg donor agreements will clarify the relationship between the donor and the intended parents. They will typically state that the donor relinquishes all parental rights to any children born from the donated eggs. These agreements can help prevent future disputes and provide legal certainty for all parties.

Our lawyers can draft and review surrogacy and egg donor agreements, ensuring that they comply with Illinois law while protecting the interests of our clients. We understand the sensitivity of these matters, and we provide compassionate, confidential legal representation for people who are pursuing their dreams of parenthood through assisted reproduction.

Contact Our Elmhurst Family Lawyers

When you need to address legal concerns that may affect your family, the team at A. Traub & Associates is here to help. We can provide the guidance you need to address family law concerns while protecting your rights. To schedule a consultation, contact our Elmhurst, Illinois family law attorneys today by calling 630-426-0196.