When allocating parental responsibilities, the court always puts the children’s interests first. But what if circumstances have changed since the decision was made and the children are at risk of harm? Is there anything you can do if you cannot agree on a way forward...
Tips for talking to your children about divorce
If you and your spouse are planning to get a divorce, you need to know how to tell your children about it. This is a delicate process, to say the least, and the specifics are different for every family. That said, there are some key tips you want to keep in mind to...
Negotiating custody when you and your co-parent never married
Custody is something that couples struggle to resolve when they end their relationships. Illinois state law talks about the allocation of parental responsibilities and rights largely in the context of a divorce. However, plenty of couples have children without getting...
Who makes a child’s medical decisions after their parents divorce?
Parents need to make medical decisions for their young children, regardless of their marital status. One of the first examples of this is deciding what vaccines a newborn should get and when he or she should get them. Traditionally, parents just work together and get...
Major life decisions and the allocation of parental responsibility
Remaining an active parent is likely the most important consideration in your upcoming Illinois divorce if you share minor children with your spouse. The judge presiding over the dissolution of your marriage will try to be fair in how they allocate parental rights and...
The impact of divorce on the academic prospects of the children of wealth
What's the link between a family's means, divorce and a child's academic success? Believe it or not, children of wealthy parents struggle harder to adapt when their parents divorce than children of lesser means. The authors of a 2019 University of California, Los...
Co-parenting: Who decides about vaccines?
You have a child and you are not married to the child’s other parent. Perhaps you never were. Perhaps you got divorced. Either way, you know that you now need to work together as co-parents, even if you’re not involved with one another on any other level. There are a...
Your parental responsibilities include time and money
The language many people use for co-parenting after divorce makes the children involved seem like the possessions of the parents. People often become so focused on the rights of the parents that they completely ignore the impact a custody battle can have on the...
Don’t let divorce guilt influence your parenting
It is common to experience a wide range of emotions when going through the process of ending a marriage. Guilt is one of the most pervasive emotions that parents deal with when they divorce, but they must be careful not to let guilt, or their response to it, determine...
Divorce can affect a child’s relationships with extended family
Perhaps your children look forward to seeing their cousins at family events, or they love staying with Grandma and Grandpa during the summer. Regardless, your extended family can play a significant role in your child’s life. However, these roles and family members...