St. Charles Sole Custody Attorneys

Parental Responsibilities Attorneys Serving Kane County

For many years in Illinois, sole custody meant that only one parent was granted decision-making authority over the child. While changes to the law have amended the language associated with parenting arrangements, one parent may still be granted the authority to make all of the significant decisions concerning the child's welfare. The other parent typically retains visitation or parenting time rights, however, except in the most extreme cases.

At the Kane County family law firm of Goostree Law Group, we are knowledgeable in all areas of child custody and parental responsibilities law in Illinois. We provide reasoned advice and strong advocacy for our clients dealing with child-related issues.

Obtaining Sole Decision-Making Authority in Illinois

In Illinois, the best interests of the child are the paramount concern of the court in general family law proceedings and divorce determinations. In that regard, the preference is towards shared parenting arrangements, in which both parents share in decision-making authority, as the court generally believes it is in the best interests of children to have a relationship with both biological parents. In cases where it has been proven that one parent is unfit, however, decision-making authority may be awarded to only one parent. Whoever is requesting such responsibility has the burden of proof to show that the other parent is unfit to share authority.

Some of the reasons a court might grant decision-making responsibilities solely to one parent include:

• History of physical abuse or domestic violence;
• History of sexual abuse towards the child or other children;
• Criminal behavior or criminal associations;
• Drug or alcohol addiction;
• Neglect of the child's basic needs (food, shelter, safety, etc.); and
• Abandonment.

Some of these grounds are easier to prove than others. For example, it is easy to prove if one parent is actively abusing drugs with a court ordered drug test. It can be harder to prove allegations of physical or sexual abuse. The court is aware that such allegations are sometimes fabricated in order to manipulate the outcome of such proceedings. If you fear for the safety or well-being of your child, it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side. Our attorneys are skilled litigators, and we know how to effectively advocate for sole decision-making responsibilities in court.

Contact Our St. Charles Sole Custody Attorneys

If you are seeking sole parental responsibilities regarding your child, or if you are involved in any type of child-related dispute, contact us at 630-584-4800 to schedule a free consultation. We will discuss your specific situation and help you understand what you can expect from the legal process. Our attorneys represent clients in Kane County and throughout Northern Illinois.