St Charles Child Custody Lawyers

Attorneys for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities in Kane County

For many divorcing parents, issues related to child custody (or the allocation of parental responsibilities) are among the most difficult to resolve. At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we understand the importance of settling such matters through cooperative means such as mediation whenever possible. When a negotiated agreement cannot be reached, however, we are prepared to advocate on your behalf in court as well.

Regardless of the approach you choose to take during your case, we will make sure to focus on finding solutions that will provide for your children's best interests. We understand how children may be affected by their parents' divorce, and we will do everything we can to help you ease this transition for them and ensure that you will be able to provide for their ongoing needs. We will work to help you reach agreements that will allow you and your former partner to work together as co-parents as you raise your children, ensuring that your family can continue to thrive in the future.

Skilled Attorneys Who Know the Law

For many years, parents going through a divorce in Illinois could agree to - or the court could order - a sole custody arrangement or a joint custody situation. What used to be known as "legal custody" and is now referred to as the "allocation of parental responsibilities" involves the rights of a parent to make significant decisions regarding the child's life. A parent with sole custody may have full authority to make decisions, while responsibility will be shared between parents who have joint custody of their child.

Recent changes to the law have updated the state's approach to child custody, eliminating the term "custody" and focusing on cooperative approaches that allow both parents to be closely involved in their children's lives. Today, divorcing parents are expected to develop a parenting plan that outlines each party's responsibilities for important decision-making regarding the child. These decisions include choices regarding the child's education, medical care, religious training, and extracurricular activities. Most of the time, parents will share parental responsibilities, but there may be situations where one parent may have primary or sole decision-making authority in one or more areas of responsibility. If the parents cannot reach an agreement on their own, the court may allocate parental responsibilities between them in accordance with the child's best interests.

Lawyers Protecting Your Rights

At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, our attorneys have helped hundreds of area families develop workable parenting agreements that serve the needs of both children and parents. We understand the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with your child, and we will fight to ensure that your parental rights are fully protected. In many cases, this begins immediately, as the court may be inclined to enter a temporary order, allocating interim parental responsibilities while your divorce is pending. While temporary orders are not intended to be permanent, they are often incorporated into the final divorce judgment with few changes. For this reason, it is important to work with an experienced family law attorney from the beginning to the end of your case. A single misstep early in the process can have long-lasting effects.

We also recognize the importance of working closely with custody evaluators, Guardians ad Litem, and any other professionals appointed to help with your case. Your child's best interests should always be your top priority, and your cooperation in the process can demonstrate that clearly to the court. If your case cannot be resolved through negotiation or mediation, our seasoned litigators are ready to fight for you at every stage of a courtroom trial.

Contact a Kane County Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Lawyer

If you are involved in a child custody or allocation of parental responsibilities dispute, contact our office. Schedule an initial consultation with Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC by calling 630-665-7300. Our firm is proud to serve the needs of individuals and families in Geneva, St. Charles, Aurora, Elgin, Batavia, and throughout Kane County, Illinois.