Unfortunately, some child custody cases in Illinois turn into bitter court battles. When parents can't negotiate a shared custody arrangement privately, the court must step in to make a custody ruling. If you are involved in a contested child custody case, it's crucial that you prepare. Document your strengths A judge is not just going to take your word for it that you're a fit parent. If you help your child with their homework and take them to sports practice every day, find a way to prove this. You should be keeping records of everything you do with your child, gathering witness statements a ..read more

Unfortunately, some child custody cases in Illinois turn into bitter court battles. When parents can't negotiate a shared custody arrangement privately, the court must step in to make a custody ruling. If you are involved in a contested child custody case, it's crucial that you prepare. Document your strengths A judge is not just going to take your word for it that you're a fit parent. If you help your child with their homework and take them to sports practice every day, find a way to prove this. You should be keeping records of everything you do with your child, gathering witness statements a ..read more

If you want to welcome a new addition to your family, you might be thinking about finding a surrogate. The surrogacy process differs depending on which state you live in, so here's a closer look at the surrogacy process in Illinois. Choosing between traditional or gestational surrogacy One of the first steps in this process is learning about traditional and gestational surrogacy. Traditional surrogacy is when a woman combines her own eggs with sperm from a donor or someone pledging to be the child's father. This process involves placing prepared sperm directly into the surrogate's uterus. Gest ..read more

Navigating the complex circumstances of a separation or divorce can be confusing and even a little scary. Couples experiencing these challenges in Peoria, Illinois often have two main concerns. Children from the relationship are naturally the first priority. Financial concerns and apprehensions are generally the next biggest matter on the agenda for individuals facing a divorce. Amicable child custody arrangements Most families believe that significant changes, such as potential divorce, are hardest for the children. Depending on the ages of the child or children involved, the approach to divo ..read more

Illinois law generally allows both parents to have a relationship with their child after a divorce or separation. However, there is no guarantee that the child is going to cooperate with the terms of a visitation agreement. There are several actions that you may want to take if your son or daughter is hesitant to spend time with his or her other parent. Is your child in danger? Your son or daughter may be hesitant to spend time with your former partner because he or she has been a victim of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Signs of physical abuse may include burn marks, bruises or lacerati ..read more

If you want to welcome a new addition to your family, you might be thinking about finding a surrogate. The surrogacy process differs depending on which state you live in, so here's a closer look at the surrogacy process in Illinois. Choosing between traditional or gestational surrogacy One of the first steps in this process is learning about traditional and gestational surrogacy. Traditional surrogacy is when a woman combines her own eggs with sperm from a donor or someone pledging to be the child's father. This process involves placing prepared sperm directly into the surrogate's uterus. Gest ..read more

Navigating the complex circumstances of a separation or divorce can be confusing and even a little scary. Couples experiencing these challenges in Peoria, Illinois often have two main concerns. Children from the relationship are naturally the first priority. Financial concerns and apprehensions are generally the next biggest matter on the agenda for individuals facing a divorce. Amicable child custody arrangements Most families believe that significant changes, such as potential divorce, are hardest for the children. Depending on the ages of the child or children involved, the approach to divo ..read more

Illinois law generally allows both parents to have a relationship with their child after a divorce or separation. However, there is no guarantee that the child is going to cooperate with the terms of a visitation agreement. There are several actions that you may want to take if your son or daughter is hesitant to spend time with his or her other parent. Is your child in danger? Your son or daughter may be hesitant to spend time with your former partner because he or she has been a victim of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Signs of physical abuse may include burn marks, bruises or lacerati ..read more

In some cases, children may be given an opportunity to provide input into the structure of a custody agreement. However, your son or daughter is not allowed to decide which parent he or she will live with. Instead, an Illinois judge will make a ruling that seeks to ensure your child is properly cared for. A child's preferences are one factor used in creating a custody order In most cases, a child's wish to live with a particular parent will be just one of many factors that a judge will use when crafting a custody order. Other factors may include the strength of the relationship between a child ..read more

When you file for divorce in Illinois, you'll need to give your attorney a clear picture of your financial situation. This means gathering extensive documentation about you and your estranged spouse's income, properties and assets. Gathering these documents can be a time-consuming process, but it's the best way to make sure that you get a fair share of the assets. What documents do you need for your divorce proceedings? During your divorce trial, your divorce attorney will need to know about the properties that you and your estranged spouse own. You'll need to get titles and registrations for ..read more