Orland Park, IL Child Custody Attorneys

Compassionate Attorneys Helping Black Families Address Child Custody Issues in Orland Park, Illinois

When you are going through a divorce or a breakup, it is understandable to be concerned about how the situation will affect your children. You want what is best for them, but it is also important to ensure that your own rights are fully protected. At The Foray Hurst Firm, we understand how much your children mean to you, and we proudly advocate on behalf of parents in any legal matter involving children.

We understand that Black families often face unique concerns when addressing matters involving child custody. With our understanding of these issues, we can help resolve disputes that may arise and make sure parents will be able to provide for their children's needs going forward. We realize that children usually fare best when both parents maintain an active role in their children's lives. With our experience and knowledge of the law, we can help you create a parenting arrangement that provides for your child's best interests while protecting your rights as a parent.

Parenting Considerations in a Divorce or Family Law Case

Child custody is now known as the allocation of parental responsibilities in Illinois. Rather than granting custody primarily to one parent, parental responsibilities are divided between divorcing and separating parents in a manner that is meant to be flexible and equitable. Both parents are encouraged to play an ongoing role in their children's lives, and ideally, they will be able to work together to raise their children as co-parents.

Parental responsibilities include two primary considerations: significant decision-making and parenting time. Significant decision-making authority refers to the responsibility of each parent when it comes to making important choices regarding the child's life, including those related to education, healthcare, religious training, and extracurricular activities.

Decision-making authority in different areas may be granted to one parent or both parents equally. When parents are able to work together, and they are willing to communicate and cooperate with each other, they may share equal responsibility. However, in some cases, it may be appropriate for parents to divide important decision-making responsibility based on each parent's strengths. A parent who is a teacher, for example, could be responsible for education-related decisions.

The other primary element of parental responsibilities is parenting time, which was formerly known as visitation. Regardless of a parent's level of decision-making authority, Illinois law guarantees each parent's right to reasonable parenting time, although exceptions may be made if spending time with one parent could potentially threaten a child's physical or emotional health and well-being.

During the divorce process, parents will create a parenting plan that will fully detail how parental responsibilities will be allocated, ensuring that they both understand how decisions related to their children will be made. The plan will also include a parenting time schedule specifying the days and times that children will be with each parent.

Cooperative Parenting Agreements for Black Families

At The Foray Hurst Firm, we believe that working together to create a parenting agreement is usually in the best interests of everyone involved. While these negotiations may not always be easy, families can benefit if parents are willing to set aside their differences and focus on their child's well-being.

With our understanding of the issues that affect Black families, we can help create a parenting plan that is customized to meet your family's unique needs. If you are unmarried, we can determine whether it may be necessary to establish paternity before addressing child-related issues. We can work with you to determine how to protect important family relationships when a parent has children with multiple partners. We can provide guidance for Black fathers who are looking to protect their fathers' rights, and we can help Black single mothers put plans in place that will protect their children's best interests.

Our goal is to help you and the other parent develop an arrangement that keeps you both involved in your child's life and gives you the peace of mind you deserve. Whether we are working to create a parenting plan through negotiations or representing you in court, you can count on us to help you build a better future for yourself and your children.

Contact Our Orland Park, IL Child Custody Attorneys

To get the legal help you need as you address legal matters that may affect your children and your family, contact our Orland Park Black child custody lawyers. Call 312-702-1293 to schedule a confidential consultation today. We represent mothers and fathers in Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, and throughout the surrounding areas.