Tag Archives: custody dispute
Child Custody: Relinquishing a Newborn and Terminating Parental Rights
Choosing to relinquish custody of an infant is not an easy decision. But the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act makes that decision a little easier – at least regarding potential legal consequences. The act provides a mechanism for relinquishing a newborn to a safe environment without incurring civil or criminal liability. Moreover, the act allows the relinquishing parents to remain anonymous.
Continue reading Child Custody: Relinquishing a Newborn and Terminating Parental Rights
How Do Visitation Rights Work?
Child custody and visitation arrangements can be complex in the best of circumstances, especially if you do not understand the new dynamics of your family structure. Whether you have agreed to this arrangement, or a court has ordered it, it is important to understand how visitation works.
Children and Divorce: How to Help Your Child Work through Your Marital Breakup
Divorce is hard for families. Amid discussions of property division, alimony, new living arrangements, and changing relationships, children can feel like they have lost control of their lives. This can lead to feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, and even regret and guilt for some children. During this difficult time, your children need your support more than ever. Be there for them as you and your spouse work through your divorce and move forward with your changed lives.
Continue reading Children and Divorce: How to Help Your Child Work through Your Marital Breakup
Visitation Rights in Illinois
Although the court strives to give every divorcing parent custodial time with his or her children, this is not always feasible. In cases where this cannot be achieved, the noncustodial parent is usually granted visitation rights with his or her children. Visitation rights are court-ordered visits between a parent and child that are meant to maintain the bond between the parent and the child.
Same-Sex Marriage in Illinois
American society is in a constant state of change – especially the field of family law. Just a decade ago, same-sex couples could only dream of getting married in most of the United States. Today, homosexual and heterosexual couples alike have the right to marry in 37 states.
How to Prepare for a Child Custody Evaluation
When you are going through a divorce, the prospect of having to set up a child custody arrangement can seem daunting. You might worry about an outside evaluator meeting with you to ask you questions about your home, your lifestyle, and your relationship with your child, then deciding where your child should live. This is a very simplified view of the child custody evaluation process and in most cases, you will have plenty of opportunity to provide a detailed account of your parenting style and work with your former spouse and the evaluator to develop a custody arrangement that meets your child’s needs.
Continue reading How to Prepare for a Child Custody Evaluation
Guardian Ad Litem’s Purpose in a Custody Battle
In some custody cases, a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is appointed to add a non-biased opinion on the matter. It is important for both parties to understand the GAL’s job, focus, and the weight of his/her decision before deciding whether to ask for this form of advocacy in a child custody case.
Continue reading Guardian Ad Litem’s Purpose in a Custody Battle
Why Hire a Divorce Attorney?
There are so many issues and decisions to make during a divorce that one person cannot make an informed decision without consultation. If children are part of the marriage, the issues can get even greater and more complicated. Below are a few issues that can be made easier with a divorce attorney.