Law Offices of Thomas P. Miller, P.C.

I represent clients out of my main office in Chicago, in cases throughout Cook and Lake Counties, in obtaining, enforcing and modifying custody orders/judgments, as well as related issues.

Custody of minor children is perhaps the most difficult issue in a divorce. In Illinois, Judges tend to award joint custody, now called shared decision making. This refers to the legal right to make major decisions regarding the children, including healthcare, education and religion. A sole custodian or sole decision maker makes all these decisions on his or her own.

Residential custody, sometimes referred to as physical custody, generally is with one parent, while the other parent has visitation. These terms have now been replaced with the term, “parenting time”, as in one parent having majority of parenting time being the equivalent of residential custody (the children primarily reside in your household). At times, parties agree on shared residential custody or split or equal parenting time, in which case the children are about as much with one parent as with the other.

In Illinois, most courts require the parties to mediate before litigating issues of parenting time (custody and visitation). Choosing the right mediator is crucial (in Cook County, the Court provides in-house mediators, but in some cases, you may be able to choose your mediator). Mediation can result in a parenting agreement. I have mediated conflicts  for many  years and can refer you to a good mediator.

If the parties do not agree, a Guardian Ad Litem (attorney for the best interest of a child) can be appointed, and/or a custody evaluation by a court appointed psychologist can be ordered by the Judge. Many custody cases do settle on the “courthouse steps”, but those that do not, proceed to Trial. A custody Trial can last weeks.

Custody/parenting time is an obviously large component of determining child support. Please see the Child Support section for more information.