In the course of a dissolution of a marriage, the issues of child custody, support and visitation might be the most hotly contested to reach an agreement on. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the divorce court judge will make decisions on these issues. He or she will be focusing on the best interests of the child or children.
Allocation Agreements
For purposes of attempting to clarify the rights and obligations of the parties to a divorce, custody agreements are now known as agreements on the allocation of parental responsibilities. Pursuant to such an agreement, one party might be responsible for decisions on medical and dental care while the other party might be responsible for decisions on educational and religious decisions. An experienced and effective child custody attorney in Rockford, Il, can be of invaluable assistance in helping you arrive at a satisfactory child allocation agreement that operates in the best interests of your child or children.
The Rationale Behind Allocation
The Illinois legislature realizes that some parents will always have a difficult time communicating effectively with each other. By allocating the authority to make decisions, both parents can be involved in the life of their children, regardless of their inability to communicate with each other.
Mediation
All cases involving allocation of parental responsibility in Illinois are required to go through mediation before proceeding to a trial. A mediator has no legal authority to make decisions though. He or she can only attempt to bring the parties together on an allocation agreement.
Judicial Discretion
Assuming that the parties to a divorce can maintain their civility and objectivity, they should be able to come to agreement on many issues. Any unresolved issues might be left for resolution by a judge. Judges still have considerable discretion in a final decision.
A respected and effective child custody attorney in Rockford, Il, will be pivotal in reaching an allocation agreement that operates in the best interests of your child or children. You’ll want to consult with an attorney who remains continually updated on Illinois custody statutes and decisions. Contact the Crosby Law Firm at 815-397-2006 to arrange for a consultation and case review. You can also contact us at our website.
