DuPage County Child Custody Attorneys

Lawyers for Allocation of Parental Responsibilities in Wheaton, Naperville, and Surrounding Areas

Following a divorce or separation, few concerns are as important for parents as determining arrangements for the care and upbringing of their children. For many years, this process was known in Illinois as "child custody," but several years ago, changes to the law introduced new terminology for parents in the state. Now referred to as the allocation of parental responsibilities, the focus has been shifted away from an often-bitter proceeding between battling parents toward a more inclusive effort in keeping both parents fully invested in the best interests of their children.

At McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, P.C., we know how important your children are to you and that even in the midst of your divorce, you are committed to meeting their needs. With more than 100 years of combined family law experience, our attorneys are prepared to help you develop an arrangement for parental responsibilities that best serves your family and your unique circumstances.

Trusted Counsel for Parenting Plans and Decision Making Responsibilities in Naperville and Glen Ellyn

The laws in Illinois that address child custody and parental responsibilities presume that parents will work together to provide for their children despite their divorce. The process begins with the expectation that the parents will draft a parenting plan that outlines the rights, responsibilities, and parenting time schedule for each parent. The experienced attorneys at our law firm are ready to assist you and the other parent negotiate a plan that fully provides for your child(ren) without compromising your parental rights.

One of the most important elements of a parenting plan is the establishment of each parent's significant decision-making authority. These responsibilities, once the focus of sole or joint custody considerations, are allocated to each parent based on his or her abilities, prior roles, preparedness, and willingness to make them and to cooperate with the other parent. Significant decisions include choices regarding the child's education, health and medical care, religious training, and extracurricular activities.

Depending on your situation, it may be in your child's best interests for you and the other parent to share decision-making authority, or the final say on such decisions can be given to one of you. Alternatively, you may wish to divide such responsibility based on your areas of strength and those of your former partner. For example, if you work in the medical field, you may be well-suited to make health-related decisions for your child, while you and the other parent may have responsibility for making decisions about your child's extracurricular activities. No matter what challenges you may be facing regarding your children, the team at McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, P.C. has the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you find a solution.

Modification of an Existing Child Custody Order

If you are already subject to a child custody order or parenting plan such as an allocation judgment, you probably realize how quickly things can change. Your child's needs continue to evolve, you may need to relocate for a new job, or your ex-spouse may want to get remarried. More generally, you may wish to build a better relationship with your child, and we are equipped to help you do that. Modifying an existing order for parental responsibilities can be complicated, especially if your order has not been updated in many years or was created under the previous laws surrounding parenting time or responsibilities. Our knowledgeable attorneys will assist you in understanding your options so that you can make responsible, informed decisions aimed at bettering the life of your child.

Schedule a Free Consultation

To learn more about parental responsibilities and child custody in Illinois, contact the Wheaton office of McSwain Nagle Giese & Rapp, P.C. today. Call 630-407-1200 to schedule your free initial consultation and put our experience and skill to work for your family. Our firm serves clients in Wheaton, Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream, Glendale Heights, Warrenville, and Winfield, as well as DuPage, Kane, Will, Cook, and Kendall Counties.