Orland Park Firm Assists Parents with Child Custody and Visitation Arrangements

The right attorney helps you maintain meaningful contact and loving relationships

Establishing fair child custody terms should be a primary concern of parents going through a divorce. It is often a sensitive issue, and unfortunately, the attitude of many Illinois courts can make custody disputes more contentious. Illinois has been criticized for resisting legislative reforms that would create a presumption that joint custody is preferable, so disputes over custody in our state can become protracted and expensive “winner-take-all” contests. At The Palmisano Law Group in Orland Park, we always aim to reach amicable child custody agreements. Our decades of family law experience have given us the knowledge and skills needed to draft joint parenting agreements and other types of custody and visitation documents that truly promote the best interests of your children. However, when settlement is not possible or appropriate, we remain prepared to litigate in order to assert your parental rights and fight for your children’s welfare.

Traditional views of parenting still guide Illinois family courts

Although Illinois courts are bound to make custody decisions based on the best interests of the children, many judges still hold to a very traditional view of the mother as primary caretaker and favor mothers as sole custodians. This can be problematic for active and involved fathers who suddenly find themselves reduced to visitors, as well as for working mothers with demanding careers who would be well-served by a joint custody arrangement.

Our experienced attorneys help parents who may be dealing with their own anger over the divorce, as well as disputes over alimony and other issues, to focus on what is truly best for their children. Drawing on decades of experience, we endeavor to help clients build a basis for positive co-parenting with their soon-to-be ex-spouses. We aim for cost-effective, negotiated parenting plans that address your unique family circumstances. Negotiating a settlement for child custody is usually preferable, since it puts the parents in control of the outcome rather than the judge.

Factors for deciding child custody in Illinois

When parents cannot reach consensus regarding parenting arrangements, the legal process required to reach a decision on custody and determination can be quite complicated. Under Illinois law, the court must consider the following factors when determining if a custody arrangement is in the best interest of the child:

  • The wishes of the child’s parent or parents
  • The wishes of the child if he or she is of sufficient age to make a mature decision
  • The interaction and interrelationship of the child with the parents, siblings and any other person who may significantly affect the child
  • The child’s adjustment to the home, school and community
  • The mental and physical health of all individuals involved
  • Any physical violence or threat of physical violence by the child’s potential custodian
  • The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the other parent and the child
  • Whether one of the parents is a sex offender
  • The terms of a parent’s military family-care plan if a parent is a deployed member of the armed forces

If you have concerns regarding your child’s welfare based on these and other factors, we work diligently to help ensure that your final custody order fully addresses those issues.

Skillful family law advocates negotiate detailed visitation schedules

Spouses divorce, but parent-child relationships should endure. This can be complicated because usually a young person will live primarily in one home to maintain a steady school routine and participate in extracurricular activities. Accordingly, it is critical to create a court-ordered visitation plan that fits the circumstances and accounts for the unique needs of children and parents. When appropriate, our firm looks for ways to go beyond the standard minimum visitation plan where a youth spends one night a week, every other weekend and time during summer vacation with their noncustodial parent. We also look to set clear terms on ancillary issues such as family events and transportation between homes.  

Contact the right attorney to handle your Illinois child custody and visitation issues

The Palmisano Law Group in Orland Park offers prospective clients a free one-hour consultation. In this initial meeting, you can talk to an attorney about matters relating to custody, visitation and other family law concerns. Please call 708-966-4311 or contact us online to set up a meeting.