Naperville Child Custody Lawyer
Often, one of the most emotionally challenging matters to settle in a divorce is that of child custody. When a marriage is no longer sustainable, the parties involved must come to an agreement either in court or on their own as to what custody arrangement works best for the children and the unique circumstances of their situation. A local Naperville child custody attorney from the Law Office of Ken Wang can help you resolve this matter as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
What is custody?
Often, people mistake “custody” to refer to the time the children spend with one parent or the other. In reality, custody refers to the ability to make decisions regarding the children from the relationship, such as what kind of medical care they receive, who provides that medical care, which school they attend, and even which religion they do or do not practice. There are two types of custody: sole custody and joint custody.
- Sole custody means that one parent is legally allowed to make all major decisions for the child or children.
- Joint custody means that both parents must be consulted when making these decisions and major choices cannot be made without the two parents coming to an agreement.
How is child custody decided in DuPage County?
According to Section 602 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the courts must decide custody issues according to what will be in the best interests of the child or children involved. In order to determine this, they consider a variety of factors, including but not limited to the wishes of the parents, the wishes of the children, the way the children interact with parents and/or siblings, mental and physical health of both parents and children, and whether the parents encourage and facilitate a relationship with the other parent.
Custody vs. Visitation
Even if one parent is granted sole custody, the other parent is still legally entitled to visitation with their children in almost all cases. Unless this visitation will seriously endanger the child, courts seek to foster relationships between both parents and the children involved.
If you are considering divorce, contact an attorney promptly to discuss your needs and concerns. If you have children with your spouse, it is particularly important to choose a local Naperville divorce lawyer who can serve your needs well. At the Naperville Law Office of Ken Wang, we will work with you during this challenging time in your life, helping to pursue the best interests of your child or children while protecting your interests as well. With evening and weekend appointments available, we work to provide the highest level of service while meeting the needs of our clients in Bolingbrook, Naperville, and Plainfield, as well as DuPage, Kendall, and Will Counties and all along the I-55 corridor. Call or email today to schedule your free consultation.