When parents in Illinois divorce, they may both want custody of the children. Many times, this leads to a child custody battle. Without question, parents only want what is best for their children. However, do the children have a say in which parent gets custody?
Best interest of the child
In all custody decisions, courts in Illinois use the best interest of the child standard. With this standard, the goal of the court is to look at the big picture and do what is best for the children, regardless of what either parent wants. The specifics of the best interest of the child standard vary by state, but this doesn’t mean that the children have no say so at all in the matter.
The courts will consider a variety of factors to determine the best interests of the children. These include their physical and mental needs, the ability of each parent to provide a loving and stable home, emotional ties the kids have with parents and other household members, which parent has been the children’s main caregiver and connections with extended family members. Also, if the children are old enough to have an opinion, their preference may be taken into consideration by the court.
How to get legal assistance
A child custody hearing can be challenging and very stressful for both parents and children. However, parents in Illinois who are seeking child custody do not have to go through this experience alone and unprepared. By contacting and speaking with a seasoned family law attorney, parents can obtain much-needed guidance while ensuring their interests are protected.