Chicago child custody attorney/lawyer

CHICAGO
CHILD CUSTODY & VISITATION LAWYER

Chicago child custody attorney/lawyer

It can be incredibly difficult for any parent to face losing time to spend with their child. Unfortunately, many divorces in Chicago, IL, require addressing child custody. It is also possible for unmarried parents to end their relationships and decide to raise their children separately as single parents. In either case, parents must resolve child custody through the court, obtaining legally enforceable terms and conditions for parenting time, parental responsibilities, and financial support for their children.

Guiding Parents Through Chicago Child Custody Determinations

If you have children in Chicago and are planning to divorce your spouse, or if you are an unwed parent seeking a custody order to determine legal rights over your children, Johnson O’Keefe can help. Our team has successfully guided many clients through difficult child custody determinations in the Illinois family court system. We know parents’ emotional challenges and procedural obligations in these cases and do everything we can to help our clients approach these disputes with peace of mind.

Why Do I Need a Chicago Child Custody Attorney?

It is technically possible to resolve child custody without an attorney but doing so is much more difficult than many parents expect. Even if you think you and your child’s other parent are on relatively agreeable terms, it is natural for any parent to want to fight for as much custody as possible when confronted with legal proceedings that could significantly impact their time with their child. Working with an experienced Chicago child custody attorney eliminates the possibility of any procedural or clerical errors interfering with your case, and you will also be better prepared to make your case for custody.

A family court judge must handle every child custody determination in Illinois. Every family court judge is beholden to ruling in favor of a child’s best interests no matter what a case entails. When parents go to Chicago family court to settle custody, the judge overseeing the case has the final say regarding allocating parenting time and assigning parental responsibilities. Even if parents must resolve custody in divorce and take advantage of alternative dispute resolution, they cannot privately resolve any issues pertaining to child custody and/or child support.

You need an experienced Chicago child custody attorney who can help you gather any documentation you must produce for the court, prepare you for each courtroom session in front of a Chicago family court judge, and address any unforeseen complications that arise during your case. Johnson O’Keefe has helped many parents approach their custody determinations with greater confidence, helping them understand the specific legal mechanisms in play and helping them develop solid claims for custody.

How Is Child Custody Determined in Illinois?

Every child custody dispute filed in the Illinois family court system must be reviewed and resolved by a family court judge. The judge is legally required to rule in favor of the best interests of the children in the case, and they accomplish this by carefully evaluating numerous factors, including:

The overall fitness of each parent for handling their child’s basic needs. If a parent has a criminal record, a history of domestic violence, or a substance abuse disorder, the judge will be unlikely to consider them fit for custody.

Family dynamics and the preferences of the child. The judge should strive to disrupt the child’s life as minimally as possible in their ruling, and they will also seek to evaluate the bond between the child and each parent. If the child is old enough to convey their preferences, the judge will probably want to hear what they have to say.

The child’s unique needs. If one parent is better suited to handle a child’s medical, social, developmental, or educational needs, this will factor heavily into the judge’s final decision.

The willingness and availability of each parent to assume custody. Child custody unfolds differently in every case. Some cases involve both parents fighting for as much custody as possible, while in other cases, one parent may be unable or unwilling to assume a significant share of custody. As a result, judges must carefully evaluate a custodial parent’s ability to manage their child’s everyday schedule, the demands of their respective careers, and the child’s unique needs when assigning custody.

The living arrangements of each of the parents. The judge must ensure that any parent with physical custody has appropriate space for their children and the ability to provide a safe environment for them. If divorcing or separated parents live close to one another, joint parenting is easier to arrange.

Ultimately, every child custody case requires careful evaluation of multiple factors, and no two cases unfold exactly the same. Therefore, you need responsive and experienced legal counsel on your side, regardless of how easy or difficult you expect your custody determination to be. Johnson O’Keefe can provide ongoing guidance as all stages of your court proceedings unfold.

Changing a Custody Order in Illinois

The family courts of Illinois recognize that life can easily present unexpected challenges at any time, sometimes influencing the terms and conditions of standing custody and support orders. If you have a child custody order in Chicago, it is essential to abide by its terms carefully at all times, but life could pose challenges that very suddenly impair your ability to do so. Parents must use the appropriate channels when such things occur and request reasonable modifications to their family court orders. It’s possible to petition for a reasonable and necessary change to any standing family court order in Illinois. Instead of a complex appeal that challenges the legal basis of the original order, if you need a change to your custody agreement, you file a petition for modification to the Chicago family court. For example, if you suffered a catastrophic injury that caused a permanent disability, you could be unable to continue meeting your parental responsibilities. A modification request to reallocate custody would likely fall within the judge’s interpretation of your child’s best interests in this situation.

Whether you need legal counsel for an initial custody determination in Chicago or need to make changes to your current custody order, legal representation from an experienced Chicago child custody attorney is invaluable. Contact Johnson O’Keefe today and schedule your consultation to learn more about the legal services we provide to Chicago parents facing custody disputes.

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Testimonials

Myles helped me draft a prenuptial agreement, and he was a trusted and helpful advisor during a very delicate legal negotiation process with my now-husband!

Rose

Genet and Shannon were amazing, communicative, supportive and great to work with. Highly recommend.

Shae

Excellent legal service provided in a professional and timely manner. All my questions answered and very friendly staff. Cost for service very reasonable. Highly recommended to you by me! Give her a call.

Virginia

Myles and Genet Johnson truly helped to make a stressful situation positive, understandable and manageable. They’re professional and supportive team work was beyond efficient and they got the job done in the least amount of time and with the least stress possible. They’re an amazing team to help with family needs and are always available…

MA

Myles Johnson and everyone at his firm made my divorce a speedy and not a stressful experience. Everyone was fast to return calls or emails. They explained everything thoroughly and so that I could understand the process. They worked with me every step of the way. I would highly recommend Johnson Law Group and if…

Robin

Genet and Elizabeth were delightful to work with and definitely helped me to understand the process. Thank you.

Aleza

Myles Johnson is an excellent divorce attorney – the Best of the Best! I HIGHLY recommend him and his legal team of paralegals and staff because I had a great experience with them. Myles is smart and savvy and fully committed to his clients as an attorney and mediator. He represented me in my divorce…

MJ

I called Johnson Law Group extremely frustrated and stressed with the process of my custody case. From the consultation to every conversation after, Elizabeth went out of her way to make sure that i was comfortable with all the matters and decisions. My goals and the safety of my children were always the priority to…

Patricia

My divorce was extremely difficult. I faced very serious allegations and the possibility of losing my children and almost complete financial ruin. I felt alone and desperate. If it hadn’t been for the professionals at Johnson Law Group my life would have been ruined for years to come if not permanently. Everyone at the firm…

Zarzegas

I wasn’t familiar with the process of child custody but I must say not only did Myles and his team direct me properly but it was a process that wasn’t money motivated. Very professional group, I was constantly informed of any step or move needed to be made, and they took a very stressful situation…

Dwight

Amazing law firm. Professional, caring, organized. They will represent your best interests! They communicate well with you and are straight forward with everything from rates to the legal process. Myles Johnson is a experienced, knowledgeable, well-versed in the laws as they pertain in each county throughout the State of Colorado. As a client, I highly…

Caleb

I was in a very difficult custody/child support dispute with my ex-spouse. The Johnson law Group and in particular Elizabeth Gregory was phenomenal with their representation of my case. Working with her was such a wonderful experience, kept our goals at the top of every conversation, knew all points and avenues that we could take,…

Liz

Johnson Law Group has the greatest Attorneys and staff in Colorado State. I recommend every family to choose this Law Firm. Attorney Genet Johnson and Myles Johnson has profound knowledge of the Law, and they can help individuals to have balance, peace of mind, avoid issues, assist with problems, work on important aspects of communication/listening,…

Cierra

Very professional, and caring. Helped me through a difficult divorce and made what I thought was going to be an impossible process so much easier. Everything was handled well, they listened to all my concerns, and responded in a timely manner. I would highly recommend using Johnson Law Group, they are amazing!

Sonja

Myles and his firm did an excellent job on my case. He helped me settle a financial dispute with my ex-wife concerning my retirement income. He was firm and consistent while being very professional with the opposition. Myles was a good communicator and responded to questions and concerns promptly. I will definitely call him if…

Rob

Johnson Law Group did and is doing an excellent job with my case. Quick response to questions, making the line of communication superb. Thanks for all help and wish you all a great future.

Mista

Myles took great care in guiding a smooth process from start to finish drafting a prenuptial agreement. He was responsive, efficient, and coordinated well with my wife’s attorney. Very happy with the final result

Nick

Genet and Myles Johnson were two of the most helpful attorneys for us! Not only were they professional, articulate, kind, and knowledgeable but they were also on top of everything. They handled all of the scary details for us during a custody dispute so we didn’t need to worry about anything during this time. I…

Anonymous

Myles and Genet are awesome! I have had to have several rewording of documents due to my ex-husband being in the military. I felt like I was bothering them but they said I could contact them anytime! I highly recommend the Johnson law office!! They are awesome!!

Nick

Myles was excellent during my divorce and custody case. I had a very high-stress, and complicated situation, and not only was he efficient, but he kept me at ease throughout the entire process. He is genuine and professional, and I could not recommend him enough

Anonymous

I worked with Elizabeth and she did way more for me than I thought possible. I was in a bad situation when I came in. She took my case then proceeded to go above and beyond until the very end. Everyone I dealt with at the firm was extremely professional, easy to talk to, and…

Nick D

Our family has literally dealt with multiple law firms and attorneys over the course of 8 years, Attorney Robert Perrone is by far one of the highest-level law professionals. He is very responsive. No matter how intense matters may be, he is there for you. His demeanor is calm, which helps you in times of…

Jorel Shophar

Rachel Amspoker is very professional, kind and courteous. I had a very pleasant experience working with her and will definitely recommend her to others.

Anonymous

If you are in search of an attorney for family law, stop here. This is hands down the best firm you could work with. They get to know you, your situation, and your family. They truly CARE about you & will walk through fire to get you the best possible outcome. I could never speak…

Anonymous

Johnson Law Group did and is doing an excellent job with my case. Quick response to questions, making the line of communication superb. Thanks for all help and wish you all a great future. With continued service I had to update and say how pleased I am with how Myron is handling my case. Can’t…

Anonymous

I have a high profile case involving a custody matter, that stretched across multiple States, which included Colorado. I contacted Johnson Law Group, the team was exceptional in applying the law, and very responsive. At one point I had 4 Law firms attending to the matter in 4 different States, Johnson Law Group stood out…

Jorel Shophar

Had great help with Shannon pulling together a prenuptial agreement in a short amount of time. Greatly appreciated her support!

Brie DeLisi

This review nor a amount a amount of characters can express how grateful I am for Johnson law. From the moment I called they gave me a peace of mind that they where going to be able to help me thru my child custody situation. I worked with Yasaman and she was super professional and…

Jaime Sosa

I spoke with Elizabeth today about my child custody and support case today. She was very courteous and professional. She spoke with the intelligence, understanding and compassion that I would demand from my lawyer. I have spoke[n] to a few people at this firm and they all have shown me that they hold traits like…

Chris Hance

The Johnson Law Group was my saving grace in mitigating my divorce process. They were very professional and showed heart warming empathy towards me. The entire group treated my like an actual person and not just another client. My questions were always answered in a timely manner and the process was so easy. I would…

Kimberly Dunlap

They have been extremely helpful in my somewhat complicated divorce/custody battle. They are extremely responsive and always available if I have any questions. I would definitely [recommend] them to anyone seeking family law assistance.

Zack Leavitt

This family law firm is notably professional, caring, and competent in handling what is, understandably, a very difficult and emotional event in any person’s life. Their dedication to my case, along with their empathy and expertise, has been instrumental in making a terrible situation manageable. Of note, their candor towards legal realities and reasonable expectations…

William O’Neill

I had the pleasure of working with Yasaman and she was nothing less then great! She really understood me and the frustration I had going through the case I had. I would definitely use her again!

Marissa

My experience with the Johnson Law Group has been nothing more than spectacular. From the initial phone call I spoke to Myles Johnson, he gave great direction on how to proceed. Then acquiring the firm as my legal representation I worked with Said and he helped me step by step to get what I was…

Brady Martinez

Shannon was a great help. She really cares about what she is doing. Everything was taken care of when needed to be done and she never slacked on her job. Johnson law group was by far the best law firm I have been through. They always make sure your needs are met and are always…

Timothy

I’m extremely proud of the most professional and considerate Johnson Law Group. I appreciate all the help my attorney and paralegal has done for me in the best interest of my daughters future. They’re all most knowledgeable, caring law group! I couldn’t have done it without their genuine support on representing my case(s). I’m grateful…

c

These folks are a team and do wonderful work you can count on them to treat your case very personably. They helped me get my two kids back from their mom who had her own lawyer as well and didn’t let me get bullied around. I wish I called sooner.

Aaron

I would highly recommend Johnson Law Group for anything involving your custody battle. They were understanding, professional and answered all my questions through the whole thing. Thankful I chose this office because I got everything I asked for.

Naomi

Myles is the most amazing attorney to ever exist. He helped me get 50% of my daughter when I had no time at all. He is always responsive. Cut me a couple deals with phone conversations. He was so helpful throughout the entire process and really cares for his clients. My family would not be…

Corey

Elizabeth and everyone at Johnson Law Group were amazing helping us get through a custody battle! Highly recommend.

Amanda

I found this law firm by a Google search, they were relatively close to my house, so we decided to check them out. It was the BEST decision we made for our family law case. We had Elizabeth represent us and she did such an amazing job! She was professional, timely, great communication, did a…

Ann

Nick

Myles is very professional and well informed in his field. He helped me resolve custody quickly and in a way that all parties were happy. Cassidy their paralegal was also extremely helpful and client driven . 5 stars!!

Stevie

Myles helped me draft a prenuptial agreement, and he was a trusted and helpful advisor during a very delicate legal negotiation process with my now-husband!

Rose

Genet and Shannon were amazing, communicative, supportive and great to work with. Highly recommend.

Shae

Virginia

MA

Robin

Genet and Elizabeth were delightful to work with and definitely helped me to understand the process. Thank you.

Aleza

MJ

Patricia

Zarzegas

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CHICAGOCHILD CUSTODY & VISITATION LAWYER