Chicago and Northbrook Custody Lawyer

mother-and-childrenParental responsibility (formerly custody) and  and parenting time (formerly visitation) are important issues in a divorce.  Parental responsibility concerns the decision-making abilities regarding the education, religion, extracurricular activities  and health care of the minor children.  It does not involve living arrangements which are addressed with the allocation of parenting time. We can help through mediation to establish a parenting arrangement that works for both parents.  If you and your partner cannot agree, you may need to litigate parenting  issues in court.

Law Offices of Annette M. Fernholz, P.C. handles parenting cases (formerly child custody and visitation) of all types, including cases involving children’s attorneys and psychological experts.  We offer tenacious advocacy on behalf of our clients, working diligently to secure results that enable our clients to enjoy the companionship and love of their children.

When a court determines which parent will be assigned the significant decision-making responsibilities for a child’s best interests, the judge weighs the following factors and some others:

  • The wishes of the child, taking into account the child’s maturity and ability reasoned and independent decision-making;
  • The child’s adjustment to home, school and community;
  • The mental and physical health of all individuals involved;
  • The ability of the parents to cooperate in making decisions or teh level of conflict between the parties which impacts deciosnion-making skills;
  • The level of each parent’s participation in past significant decision-making regarding the child;
  • Any prior agreement or course of conduct between the parents relating to decision-making for the child;
  • The wishes of the parents;
  • The child’s needs;
  • The distance between the parents’ residences, the cost and difficulty of transporting the child, each parent’s and the child’s daily schedules and the ability of the parents to cooperate regarding the arrangement;
  • Whether a restriction of a parent’s decision-making is appropriate under the law;
  • The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate a close relationship with the other parent
  • The physical violence or threat of physical violence by the parent directed against the child;
  • The occurrence of abuse against the child or or other member’s of the child’s household;
  • Whether one of the parents is a sex offender;
  • Any other factor the court finds to be relevant.

We help our clients establish parental custody and visitation judgments. Parents who can communicate and cooperate with each other may share joint custody of their child with one parent being named the primary residential parent and the other having visitation or parenting time. Law Offices of Annette M. Fernholz, P.C. will carefully explain your rights and responsibilities regarding custody and parenting time.

When you need a zealous litigator, contact Law Offices of Annette M. Fernholz, P.C. to develop a strategy for your case. Call 312-683-0308 or send an email for a consultation.

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