If you and your ex share children, visitation is almost certainly a primary concern. When it comes to parental responsibilities and parenting time – which guides your visitation schedule – the State of Illinois focuses on maximizing the amount of time each parent has with the children and on ensuring that the best interests of the involved children are well supported. If you are facing a legal concern related to visitation, don’t wait to consult with an experienced visitation lawyer in Schaumburg.
Negotiating a Mutually Acceptable Schedule
If you and your ex are able to negotiate a parenting time schedule between yourselves that works for both of you, you can expect the court to go along with this proposed schedule. Your negotiations can include the professional legal guidance of your respective divorce attorneys or a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation. Mediation involves a professional mediator – who is a neutral party in the matter – helping both sides (along with your respective divorce attorneys) explore your best visitation schedule options. If you are ultimately unable to resolve the matter through mediation, you’ll require the court’s assistance.
The Court’s Intervention
While the court believes that it is in the best interest of children to spend time and bond with both parents, this does not mean that it takes a 50/50 approach in every visitation determination. In fact, a wide range of best interest variables plays a role in these decisions, including:
- Each parent’s preference on the matter
- The preference of each child if he or she is considered mature enough to provide a reasonable preference
- The degree to which each parent has played a role in each child’s life so far
- Each parent’s ability and commitment to support the other parent’s ongoing relationship with each child
- How well each child has adapted to his or her school, home, and community
- The relationships each child has with the other significant people in his or her life, including siblings, other family members, other important adults, and friends
- The health of each parent and each child, including both physical and mental health
- The developmental and personal needs of each child and whether or not any of the children have special needs
- Each parent’s ability and commitment to effectively provide for each child’s ongoing needs
- The distance the parents live from one another
- Whether or not domestic violence, child abuse, or child neglect is a concern
- Any other factors that the court determines should be taken into consideration
Because the court generally considers less disruption preferable to more for children experiencing divorce, it may be inclined to maintain the Status quo (if it is working well) to the degree possible.
Turn to an Experienced Visitation Lawyer in Schaumburg for the Help You Need
The seasoned visitation lawyers at SLG Family Law in Schaumburg have a wealth of impressive experience successfully handling challenging visitation cases like yours. To learn more about how we may be able to help you, please don’t delay contacting us today.
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