One of the most stressful parts of any family law case is that a judge could make decisions that may affect your personal life and legally redefine your relationship with your children. Because a judge has so much power, it is important to have an advocate who can present your case in the best manner possible. Our experienced Tinley Park child custody lawyers can help.
At Joel C. Zimmerman & Associates, L.T.D., in Tinley Park and Chicago, Illinois, our lawyers have more than 25 years of legal experience in guiding individuals through this emotional and scary process. When your future is on the line, it is smart to have an experienced and qualified attorney, like Joel C. Zimmerman, handle this important and stressful matter for you.
What Does the Court Look at to Determine Child Custody?
Custody is determined by a number of factors that are called the best interests standard. The court looks to these factors to determine residential and legal custody of the children. Some of the factors include:
- Wishes of parents
- Wishes of child
- Interaction and interrelationship of the child with each parent, with siblings or others
- The better, home, school, and community environment
- Mental and physical health of everyone involved
- Physical violence or threats of physical violence
- Mental or physical abuse
- Ability of each parent to have a close continuing relationship with the child
- Whether a parent is a sex offender
Visitation
The noncustodial parent has the right to reasonable visitation with their children. Under the law, visitation cannot be denied without a full court hearing. While the noncustodial parent has the right to visitation with their children, there is nothing in the law that forces them to exercise that right. In certain circumstances, visitation may be open or liberal, but in other cases, visitation may be limited or supervised.
Child Support
In Illinois, child support is determined based on minimum, mandatory, statutory guidelines. These guidelines are based on the income of the noncustodial parent. While the child support guidelines are typically used in determining child support, under appropriate circumstances the courts can award more or less child support than the guidelines suggest.Clients should be aware that the guideline support calculations may differ from one's "take home pay."
Contact an Orland Park Visitation Attorney
If you are looking for an experienced attorney who can represent you in a potentially stressful custody, visitation, or support matter, contact our lawyers by e-mail or by calling 708-633-5200.
