Visitation, Custody and Police in Chicago

When dealing with the police in the context of a visitation or custody dispute, it's important to remember that they do Not want to answer a 'domestic' call.  That is, they do not want to come to you house, or to the residence of the other parent, and mediate or handle a dispute between two parents.  There are better ways to enforce your visitation or custody rights under Illinois law, and I would be happy to talk with you.

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Solutions for Parental Alienation in Divorce and Custody Cases

 I have seen cases calm Way Down when my client starts acting as though the other parent doesn't exist.  At first glance, it sounds bad, since one of the factors under Section 602 is the willingness of the parent to foster a good relationship between the child and the other parent.  But, in a case a few years ago where my client (the mother) implemented this, and the other side (father, trying constantly to stir up chaos using their little son) tried to portray the mother's refusal to allow the little son to speak of his father, and her refusal to engage the father in voice communications, as a bad thing, the judge granted my oral 'motion for a directed finding' at the close of father's case, at the trial on father's petition to change custody .  So, it didn't hurt us at all. I do believe parents should communicate adult-to-adult in these high-conflict situations by email (not texting or voice).  I recommend that clients adopt a 'ma...
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Fight for language that brings you peace

Language is vitally important. When a custody or divorce judgment is unclear, or requires elaborate interpretation, it can lead to disputes, friction between the parties, and unnecessary court proceedings.  All to the good, if you like being in court and watching your money drain away.  However, most people don't like that , and most people want to avoid wasting time and money in struggles that don't get them anywhere, and that could be avoided through careful writing by the attorneys. For my clients, I try to reduce and where possible,  eliminate  the need for routine communications between separated parents (ex-spouses, ex-partners). Let them save communications for when 'significant' (slow-moving, life-changing) decisions need to be made for a child, or when an emergency arises. There's quite a bit of talk about 'Co-Parenting.'  Books have been written about it.  It's a buzz word. Really, though, co-parenting is just a pipe dream when it...
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Divorce and Custody - Reimbursement myth

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