Child Custody Lawyer In Bloomington Illinois
Child Custody Arrangements
A child custody lawyer Bloomington IL clients trust understands that determining child custody can be an emotional and challenging experience for many parents. You may have many concerns about how the custody will be decided. We have answered some commonly asked questions surrounding child custody, in hopes it gives you some relief or needed insight into the process.
Is Custody Always Awarded to One Parent?
As a child custody lawyer Bloomington IL families depend on can attest, the courts often assign at least partial custody to each parent. Sharing custody is referred to as joint custody, and can take one of these few forms:
- Joint Physical Custody: Children spend a large portion with each of their parents
- Joint Legal Custody: Parents share making decisions on education, medical care and religion for their children
- Both Joint Legal & Physical Custody: A combination of both physical and legal responsibilities
How Is Visitation Amount Determined?
A child custody lawyer in Bloomington IL can go into details that pertain to your case, but generally, the court will determine the visitation hours and days for each parent. In the majority of cases, the courts will support and strongly encourage both parents to spend time with their children. The court will establish a parenting time schedule, and may grant visitation rights to include weekends (or alternate weekends), a couple weeknights every week (or alternating weeks), holidays and for summer vacations.
What if I Feel as Though the Visitation Amount Is Not Fair?
If a parent has been denied rights for visitation and custody, he or she may have an opportunity to have rights restored. Often times, the court does not award visitation or custody for valid reasons, such as a parent did not utilize their visitation time the past, the parent no longer attempts contact with the child or has a history of drug/alcohol abuse.
The court can create an action plan that gives the parent an opportunity to show he or she will take their parental responsibilities more seriously in the future. A child custody lawyer Bloomington IL parents depend on can advise you what your legal options may be if you have these or other custody issues.
Can Parents Willingly Attend Mediation Over Disagreements?
Yes, mediation is a great way to handle disputes. During a mediation, a neutral person (mediator) meets with both parents to help them find a resolution for the dispute. The mediator has no influence or power over imposing a solution on the parents; their role is to create an environment where an agreement can be reached. However, if mediation proves futile, the mediator can request the court to make a recommendation on the child custody issue. If this happens you will want your child custody lawyer Bloomington IL locals rely on representing you.
Is Mediation Better than Attending Court over Disputes?
There are many reasons mediation is a preferred route for custody and visitation disputes. The results can be beneficial for both parents who can be avoiding immense legal fees.
- Mediation does not include expert witnesses or attorneys being present for the negotiation.
- Mediation can produce an agreement within a shorter period of time. Child custody litigation handled within the court system can take months or years to officially resolve.
- Mediation can improve communication between parents and may increase the chances they cooperate in the future. When parents can reasonably make decisions together, it can benefit the well being of children as well.
A Bloomington child custody lawyer understands that going through the process of child custody can be draining and taxing. It can be substantially easier if both parents can find a way to agree without needing the court to decide their every disagreement. Attending mediation can help make a positive impact on communication with your previous spouse, and put less stress on your family dynamic. Your child custody lawyer Bloomington IL provides can assist with setting up mediation sessions.
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“Joe was very helpful! Helped me through the whole process! Went smooth and easy!”
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