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Schaumburg, Palatine, and Barrington Child Custody Attorneys

If you are a parent going through divorce, one of the most important things to consider is your child’s well-being. Because of the love and concern you have for your child, enduring child custody proceedings can sometimes be the most difficult experience of your life.

However, having an experienced, compassionate attorney by your side during the process—aggressively representing your interests—can ease some of that burden and allow you to know that you are doing everything that you can to ensure that your protect your child’s best interests.

At Glasgow & Olsson, we have decades of experience helping clients in Illinois with child custody battles, negotiations, mediation, and agreements. We have the experience and skills necessary to ensure that your parental rights are strongly represented. Contact us today so that we can get started helping you and your family.

The Law in Illinois

In Illinois, child custody proceedings begin when parties file for:

  • A petition for dissolution of marriage;
  • A petition for legal separation;
  • A declaration of invalidity of marriage; or
  • A petition for allocation of parental responsibilities.

The court will typically allocate parental responsibilities and decision-making in accordance with what is in the child’s best interests, although the parents can agree (in writing) on an allocation of the significant responsibilities. Typically, the court allocates responsibilities relating to the following to one or both parents:

  • Education (including choice of schools);
  • Health-related needs (including medical, psychological, dental, etc.);
  • Religion (with mandatory provisions); and
  • Extracurricular activities.

Consistent with the best interests of the child, the court may consider whether to award to one or both parties what is known as “the right of first refusal,” which essentially means that if one party intends to leave the child with a child-care provider for a significant amount of time, that party must first offer the other parent (or party) the opportunity to personally care for the child instead.

What is a Child’s “Best Interest”?

The court considers the following factors in determining the child’s best interests:

  • The wishes of the child (taking into account the child’s maturity and ability to express him or herself;
  • The child’s adjustment to their home, school, community, etc.;
  • The mental and physical health of all parties involved;
  • The ability of the parents to cooperate and support a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other parent;
  • Each parent’s past participation in decision-making related to the child;
  • Any prior agreements with respect to the child;
  • The wishes of the parents;
  • The child’s needs;
  • Any distance and transportation issues between the parents’ residences;
  • Any past physical violence, threat of physical violence, or child abuse involving either parent and the child;
  • Whether one of the parents is a sex offender; and
  • Any other factor the court finds to be relevant.

Helping Parents with Child Custody Cases in Schaumburg Illinois

If you have minor children and you are planning to pursue an Illinois divorce, one of our child custody attorneys can help you to obtain a child custody agreement that meets your unique needs. Contact the experienced Schaumburg child custody lawyers at Glasgow & Olsson at 847.577.8700 or online to arrange an initial consultation.