Oak Park Divorce and Child Issues Attorney

Law Firm Representing Parents in High Conflict Divorce Cases in Chicago and Cook County

The breakdown of a relationship that leads a couple to seek divorce is likely to be difficult and stressful, but things can become much more complicated when children are involved. Parents will need to address a large number of legal issues, and when combined with financial concerns and practical matters that arise during divorce, it can seem like there is an avalanche of problems to deal with. In these cases, representation from a skilled attorney is crucial.

At Wakenight & Associates, P.C., our lawyers have been working in the field of family law for a combined total of over 95 years, and we know how to address and resolve legal issues related to children. We will work to protect your children's best interests throughout the divorce process, helping you create a stable situation that meets your family's needs in the years to come.

Child-Related Issues During Divorce

Whether you and your ex-spouse are in agreement about your children, or you are experiencing high amounts of conflict during your divorce, you will need to ensure that your divorce decree specifies how matters related to your children will be handled. Child issues that may need to be addressed during divorce include:

• Child Custody (Allocation of Parental Responsibility) - You will need to determine how to share or divide the responsibility for making decisions about your children's education, healthcare, religious activities, and extracurricular activities. 
• Visitation (Parenting Time) - The time that children spend with each parent should be specified in detail, accounting for daily schedules, school vacations, holidays, and any other significant days or times.
• Child Support and Expenses - In many cases, the parent with the minority of the parenting time will pay financial support to the other parent. The amount of child support will be calculated based on both parents' incomes. You and/or your ex-spouse may also be obligated to pay for other expenses, including health insurance, extracurricular activities, and college tuition.
• Parental Relocation - If the move to a new home by either parent during or after divorce will require a change to parenting time or parental responsibility, or if it affects children's best interests, permission from the court may need to be obtained before relocating.
• Parental Rights - Children should be able to have a close relationship with both parents after divorce, but parents in some cases may struggle to maintain these relationships. Our attorneys will fight to protect the rights of fathers and stay at home parents, and we can address any concerns you may have about parental alienation.  
• Emergency Situations - If you have experienced domestic abuse or harassment from your ex-spouse, our attorneys can help you obtain an order of protection. We can also work with you to determine your best options for addressing a parent's addictions or mental illness.

Contact a Maybrook Divorce Lawyer

The decisions made during your divorce will have a huge impact on your children's lives and your relationship with them. In order to ensure that your children's needs will be met and their best interests will be protected, it is essential to work with the experienced family law attorneys of Wakenight & Associates, P.C. To schedule a free consultation and learn more about the legal help we can provide, contact our office at 708-480-9651. We provide representation for divorcing parents in Oak Park, Chicago, Skokie, Riverside, Berwyn, Forest Park, Maybrook, Cicero, Elmwood Park, River Forest, and throughout Cook County.