Chicago Child Custody Attorney

Chicago Child Custody Lawyer Serving Cook County

One of the most challenging aspects of any divorce case is how the parents handle decisions about their children's custody and parenting time. Ideally, each parent would maintain a full relationship with their children and continue to be involved in their upbringing. However, parenting time and custody are not guaranteed to either parent in any divorce case. If the parents cannot come to a custody and parenting time agreement or the court disagrees with the proposed arrangement, you will need a dedicated attorney who will keep the best interests of your children in mind. At NextLevel Law, P.C. by Daniel R. Hernandez, Esq, we will learn the specifics of your case and work to obtain the best possible outcome for both you and the children involved.

Cook County Attorney for Parental Responsibilities

When deciding on child custody cases, the court must determine which parent or parents are responsible for making decisions about the child's upbringing. This allocation of parental responsibility can be shared by the parents or allocated solely to one of the parents. Parents can attempt to create their own plan, which will be approved by the court. If the parties are unable to come to a decision, it will be up to a judge to determine the allocation of parental responsibility.

There are four areas of decision-making regarding a child's upbringing that the parent or parents will have the right to make decisions for:

• Health, including decisions about the child's medical and dental care, and any decisions on mental health treatment. This includes choices on providers and where and when care is administered.
• Education, including what school the child will attend and decisions on tutoring or other educational resources.
• Extracurricular activities, including the child's involvement in clubs, sports, hobbies, lessons, and more.
• Religion, including where your child will worship and their attendance in religious education or other religious activities.

When allocating the decision-making responsibility between the parents, a court will base its decision on what is best for the children, including their needs and wishes. These can include:

• The child's current home and school situation.
• The involvement of each parent in the child's life.
• The wishes of the child, if they are old enough to understand the situation and communicate their desire.
• The relationship between the parents and their willingness to maintain a positive environment for the child.
• Any issues of physical or mental health with the child or the parents.
• Whether either parent has a history of violence or other dangerous behavior, including domestic abuse or sexual abuse.

The final agreement will also establish how parenting time, formerly known as visitation, is divided between the parents. This can include a specific schedule of days or weeks when the child will spend time with each parent.

Cook County Attorney for Custody Agreements

Our attorneys work with our clients to create custody agreements that will benefit both the parents and the children. We strive to create an environment that will allow children to grow up with healthy relationships with both parents. If circumstances in the life of the child or the parents change, we can also work with you to modify the terms of a custody agreement. Our firm is also knowledgeable about the issues facing LGBTQ+ families and single parents in child custody cases. We also represent same-sex clients who are undergoing a divorce.

Contact a Cook County Child Custody Agreement Attorney

We know how valuable it is to maintain a lasting relationship with your children, especially after a divorce. At NextLevel Law, P.C. by Daniel R. Hernandez, Esq, our law firm is committed to being financially accessible to all. We offer free consultations as well as contingency fee payments. Contact us or call our office at 312-442-2225. We serve parents in Chicago and throughout Cook County. Our lawyers can handle cases in English or Spanish.