What used to be known as “child custody” in Illinois is now referred to as parental responsibility. It is the same thing with a different term used for it. It means spending time with a child and being able to make important decisions regarding the child. There are a few steps required for getting parental responsibilities. Each county is a bit different, so you should ask your Berwyn child custody attorneys about requirements specific to you.
Potential Costs of the Court Case
Any case filed in court is going to cost you, both regarding money and regarding time. Sometimes these cases can last months or even years to complete. Below you can see more about what you may be looking at during this process:
- Time spent appearing in court, which may require taking time off of work or other obligations.
- Fees required to file the case, although these can sometimes be waived.
- Attorney fees or time spent doing your paperwork and learning about the court process.
Alternatives to Court
There are a couple of different options besides going to court. These can be faster and cost less but have other drawbacks associated with them. It’s best to consult with Berwyn child custody attorneys to determine the best option for your particular needs.
The first choice is a settlement. This means agreeing with the other person on your own. You will have more control over the results because a jury or judge is not making that decision. However, this is not always a possible solution.
The second choice is mediation. This requires you to find an agreement with the other person by using the help of a neutral third party. The mediator does not act as judge. They simply help you find a solution, which is then documents in a contract.
Steps to Gain Parental Responsibilities Through Court Case
The first thing you must do, if you haven’t already, is file for divorce, separation, or parental responsibilities. Next, you will submit that petition to the court. At this time, you will schedule a court date. The other person will then be notified about the case and given a choice to answer. A parenting plan will be made and filed with the court. Following that, you will go to your case management conference. You may be ordered to a parenting class, after which time you can set a date and go to court.
If you are looking for professional Berwyn child custody attorneys, follow us on Gordon & Perlut, LLC for experience and assistance through the process.
