DuPage County Child Custody and Visitation Attorneys

Dedicated Child Custody and Visitation Lawyers in Wheaton

​Child custody is frequently an area of dispute when divorce is involved. While it is ideal to work out a parenting plan in a collaborative setting, contentious child custody disputes often require the focus of an experienced family law attorney.

Are you looking to modify a child custody order or take any other action related to child custody? The lawyers at Beck & Houlihan, P.C. can help ensure you have adequate time with your child. Our attorneys can help parents with the emotional stress that is typically associated with child custody and visitation issues. With over 30 years of experience and a focus on methods of alternative dispute resolution, mediation, and collaborative law, our skilled family law attorneys have helped countless families with these issues. However, when necessary, we will bring your family matter to court, and litigate your concern. Our attorneys have extensive trial experience, and we are highly respected by the Judiciary and attorneys in the community.

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Illinois Child Custody Laws

In child custody cases, Illinois courts apply as the standard the best interest of the child. In determining this, the court will take the following factors into account:

• The wishes of the child’s parents;
• The wishes of the child;
• The interaction and interrelationship of the child with their parents, siblings, and anyone else who may affect their best interest;
• The child’s adjustment to their home, school, and community;
• Everyone’s mental and physical health (parents, child, etc.);
• The physical violence or threat of physical violence associated with the potential custodian (whether towards the child or someone else);
• The occurrence of ongoing or repeated abuse (either against the child or another person);
• The willingness and ability of each parent to encourage a close relationship between the other parent and the child;
• Whether one of the parents is a sex offender; and
• If a parent is a member of the United States Armed Forces who is being deployed, the terms of a parent’s military family case plan that a parent must complete before deployment.

Child Visitation in Ilinois

According to Illinois state law, visitation can include both in-person time spent with your child and electronic communication as well. A parent who is not granted custody of a child is entitled to reasonable visitation rights, unless the court finds that visitation would endanger the child’s physical, mental, moral or emotional health. In addition, the courts may allow for grandparent visitation, great-grandparent visitation, and visitation with siblings. In determining whether to grant visitation, the court takes into account:

• The preference of the child (if old/mature enough to express a preference;
• The mental and physical health of the child;
• The mental and physical health of the relative seeking visitation;
• The length and quality of the previous relationship between the child and relative;
• The good faith of the party seeking visitation;
• The good faith of the party denying visitation; and
• The history of the relative with the child–whether the child resided with them, had regular contact or visitation, and/or any other factor that speaks to the relationship.

Modification of Child Custody Orders

Circumstances with families are constantly changing; children’s needs, parents’ schedules, perhaps even employment and income. Often times child custody and visitation agreements, need to be changed. In these circumstances, the attorneys at Beck & Houlihan, P.C. can help you seek the necessary modifications to your child custody and parenting issues.

Changes to Custody in 2016

​Starting January 1, 2016, child custody determinations will be updated with an amendment to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Illinois Senate Bill 57 will end of sole vs. joint custody, and the courts will then focus on allocation of parental responsibility rather than determining a primary custodian. Responsibilities will be broken into categories reflecting different needs, such as medical, religion, and education. Both parents will share the different categories equally, or the responsibilities will be solely assigned to one.

Contact Experienced Wheaton Child Custody Attorneys

​​Our firm also handles child custody and parent disputes that frequently occur following divorce. Contact us at 630-933-9220 today. We serve clients in DuPage County, Kane County, and throughout Northern Illinois.

Practice Areas​

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• Divorce
  • ​Alimony and Maintenance
  • Child Support
  • Child Custody/Visitation
  • Collaborative Law
  • Division of Assets and Property
  • Division of Marital Debt
• Family Law
• Mediation / Pre-Decree and Post-Decree
• Criminal Defense
• Traffic Violations
• Juvenile Law
• Bankruptcy

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