Selecting an attorney for your legal case is a very important decision. Please enter a zip code to find an attorney in your area:
Child Custody News
Should You Hire a Lawyer
You are not required to have a lawyer to seek custody. The decision to proceed with or without a lawyer is left to each party. In making this decision you should be aware many people find that the paperwork required is complex. You should also be aware that if you decide not to use a lawyer, the other party may still use a lawyer and you may be at a disadvantage if you proceed without a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer you will be expected to know all the laws and court rules which apply to your case as if you were a lawyer.
If you decide to hire a lawyer, you may hire a lawyer for “full service” representation (handling every aspect of your case), or, you may hire a lawyer for “limited” representation (handling only a part of your case). A lawyer hired for “limited” representation may consult with you on a specific issue in your case, conduct legal or factual research for you, prepare your forms or other documents, advise you on litigation procedures or strategy, or represent you for one motion.
The court may make decisions that could have a significant impact on you. Free legal advice may be available to you through CLEAR (888) 201-1014 or from other legal services in your county. If you are the victim of domestic violence, there may be additional programs through the bar association to help you obtain free legal advice, or you may call the statewide Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 562-6025. Some counties have domestic relations or family law facilitators located in the courthouse who cannot provide legal advice, but, who can offer limited assistance in completing the necessary paperwork.
There is a difference between joint legal custody and joint physical custody.
It is important to note that joint physical custody and joint legal custody are different aspects of custody. In joint physical custody, which is also known as joint physical care, actual lodging and care of the child is shared according to a court-ordered custody schedule. In many cases, the term 'visitation' is no longer used in these circumstances. In joint legal custody, both parents share the ability to have access to educational, health, and other records, and have equal decision-making status where the welfare of the child is concerned.
If you live in the following cities and need an Child-Custody attorney you should contact
our Child-Custody Attorney as soon as possible:
Arlington Heights
Aurora
Bartlett
Berwyn
Bolingbrook
Buffalo Grove
Carol Stream
Chicago
Chicago Heights
Cicero
Des Plaines
Elgin
Glenview
Granite City
Harvey
Joliet
Lockport
Lombard
Mchenry
Moline
Mount Prospect
Normal
Oak Lawn
Palatine
Plainfield
Tinley Park
Waukegan
Wheaton
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Did You Know?
There is a difference between joint legal custody and joint physical custody.
