Child Custody Modification in Illinois

 Posted on November 11, 2015 in Child Custody

When the court determines an appropriate custody arrangement for your child, it does so with your child's best interest in mind. However, your child's best interests do not necessarily remain static over the years. In fact, as he or she matures, it is most likely that the right custody arrangement will change along with your child. If this is the case, consider modifying your child's custody arrangement. Seeking a modification of the custody schedule does not mean that you or your former spouse is a bad parent or a better parent than the other. It means that your child's needs have changed and you are working together to create a custody arrangement that best meets those needs.

If you feel a modified child custody arrangement is in your child's best interest, the first person to speak to about a potential change is your former spouse. After all, this modification will involve him or her and his or her relationship with your child. The next party to speak with is your attorney to discuss the legal process of altering a child custody arrangement. Do not be casual about changing your arrangement – even if you and your partner agree to a modified schedule and can follow it now without a problem, following a custody schedule that deviates from your court order is technically contempt of court. Do not put yourself in this position by failing to take the correct steps to alter your child custody arrangement.

Issues to Consider

Ask yourself the following questions if you are considering altering your child custody arrangement:

• Is my child getting the best education he or she can receive with the current arrangement?
• How is my child's relationship with me and with his or her other parent? Could these relationships be better with a different parenting arrangement?
• Is the current custody schedule providing my child with his or her financial, emotional, and enrichment needs? Would a different schedule be better?

To modify your child custody arrangement, at least two years must have passed since the original order was signed. There must also have been a significant change in circumstances. This is where the questions above will come in handy. A change in circumstances could be you or your former spouse remarrying, having another child, moving to a new town or region, or getting a new job that has different time demands. A change in circumstances could also be something changed with your child, such as a health condition or an academic opportunity that requires a change in residence to pursue.

Kane County Family Attorneys

It is not always obvious when a custody modification is the right choice. If you are unsure about whether changing your custody schedule is in your child's best interest, talk to an experienced Kane County family attorney to determine the benefits and drawbacks of the modification you are seeking. At Goostree Law Group, we have the knowledge and experience to help you make the right choice.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=8300000&SeqEnd=10000000