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Illinois law typically uses the term allocation of parental responsibilities instead of child custody. Responsibilities include visitation rights and the right to make major decisions concerning education, health care, religion, extracurricular activities, etc. If the parents are unable to agree, the court will decide these issues based on what is in the best interests of the child. The court takes into account factors such as the child's needs, the child's performance at home and in school, the degree of involvement of each parent with the child, and the degree of cooperation between the parents.
Each family has its own schedule, routine and concerns. Parents may be able to agree to and file a written parenting plan for court approval. If they cannot agree, the court will decide on parenting time and other parental duties. O’Flaherty Law can help you figure out what’s important, get ready for negotiations, and fight for an agreement that takes into account school schedules, holidays, transportation, communication and other things that are part of daily family life.
Child custody disputes have the potential to affect nearly every aspect of a parent’s life. Having a lawyer who listens to your concerns and explains your options can help to make the process a little less daunting. Cases involving parenting time and parental decision making are handled in the Lake County Family Division in Waukegan. If you are creating a parenting plan for the first time or are in a dispute over an existing plan, O’Flaherty Law can help you reach a resolution that puts your children first and your long-term goals in mind.
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The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.
33 N. County St., Ste. 505
Waukegan, IL 60085
I am personally committed to ensuring that each one of our clients receives the highest level of client service from our team. Our mission is to provide excellent legal work in a cost-effective manner while maintaining open lines of communication between our clients and their attorneys. Many of our clients are going through difficult times in their lives when they reach out to us. They should feel comfortable leaning on the experience and knowledge of our attorneys as their counselors and advocates. We are here to help!

No parent automatically receives custody simply because they are the mother or father. Illinois courts focus on the child's best interests when allocating parenting time and significant decision-making responsibilities. The court considers the circumstances of the individual family rather than relying on a gender-based preference.
A child's wishes can be considered, but the child does not simply get to choose. The court considers the child's maturity and ability to express an independent and reasoned preference along with many other best-interest factors. The weight given to the child's wishes will depend on the circumstances.
The right of first refusal may require a parent who needs child care during their scheduled parenting time to first offer the other parent the opportunity to care for the child. Illinois courts may include this provision when both parents have parenting time and it is consistent with the child's best interests. The details, including how much advance notice is required, can be addressed in the parenting plan.