For parents, many of the most important issues to resolve during the divorce process will be related to child custody. In Illinois, the court's top concern when making decisions about child custody is the best interests of the child. That is, the court’s rulings about how parents will make decisions for their children and the schedules for when children will spend parenting time with each parent will be based on what the court believes are the best ways to promote the children’s well-being and development. There are a number of factors that will be considered in these cases. Parents who are working to resolve child custody issues can get legal help from an attorney who can advise them on the best ways to show that they can provide for their children’s best interests.

Factors That May Affect Children’s Best Interests

Illinois law lists a large number of factors that may be evaluated by family court judges in child custody cases. These include:

1. The wishes of both parents: The court will consider each parent's desires about how child custody issues should be handled. However, if the wishes of parents are not related to what is in the best interest of their child, these wishes may be disregarded.

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After a divorce or separation, parents must follow the orders put in place in family court. These orders will address child related matters, including the allocation of parental responsibilities (legal custody) and parenting time (physical custody). They will also address child support to ensure that parents are meeting their children’s financial needs. In some cases, one parent may fail to follow the court’s orders, and the other parent may need to enforce these orders. 

If you need to make sure your ex is following your child support or parenting judgment, it is important to understand your options for enforcement. With the help of a skilled family law attorney, you can act to protect your children’s best interests and resolve any issues related to violations of court orders.

Workplace sexual harassment is a serious issue that affects many people in various lines of work. It can have harmful effects on the victims, leading to emotional distress, career setbacks, and even physical harm. Even though it is far too common, there are still several myths about workplace sexual harassment that need to be debunked. For those who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, a skilled attorney can provide guidance on the legal options that are available.

Myth 1: Sexual Harassment Only Occurs Between Opposite Genders

Contrary to popular belief, sexual harassment can occur between any combination of genders. It is not limited to interactions solely between men and women. Both men and women can be victims or perpetrators of sexual harassment in the workplace.

If you are going through a divorce in Illinois, you may be wondering if mediation is the right option for you. Divorce can be a difficult and emotionally draining process, and many couples choose to use mediation instead of fighting legal battles in the courtroom. To determine whether mediation may be the right choice for you, it is important to understand how mediation works, the benefits it can provide, and the cases where it may not be the best option.

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that allows couples to work together with a neutral third party to negotiate their divorce settlement. Unlike litigation, where decisions are made by a judge, mediation allows couples to retain control over the outcome of their case.

In Illinois, a couple may be ordered to use mediation by a family court judge, or they may choose to hire a mediator on their own. While each mediator may have their own process, most cases will involve both parties meeting together with the mediator, discussing the issues that will need to be addressed, and working together to reach agreements on the terms of their divorce settlement.

The process of getting a divorce can often be complex and difficult. The dissolution of a marriage may involve disputes related to property division, child custody, alimony, and many other issues. Traditionally, divorce cases are resolved through litigation in which each party will hire their own attorney to represent them in court.

However, there is an alternative method that has gained popularity in recent years, and it is known as collaborative law. This option offers couples the opportunity to resolve their disputes amicably without litigation in court. During a collaborative divorce, open communication and cooperation between spouses will be encouraged, and they will work to find win-win solutions rather than taking an adversarial approach.