Shared Parenting: Keeping Both Parents Involved with the Children After Divorce

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Child Custody

A new law is regaining traction in Illinois that would provide greater custody rights for dads going through a divorce. Shared parenting bills are under consideration in a number of states, and a bill currently making the rounds in the Illinois legislature is gaining support from a number of father's rights advocacy groups.

What Is Being Proposed?

The main goal of any shared parenting law is to help the children of divorce build and maintain a relationship with both parents. When child support payments are late or not made, there are laws in place to punish delinquency. However, that is not currently the case when it comes to visitation agreements. In addition, there are groups who are of the opinion that when it comes to deciding custody in Illinois divorce cases that judges do not always consider both parents equally. New legislation under consideration may change that.

• The shared parenting bill requires courts to begin a custody process by presuming that child benefits most when able to spend equal time with both parents.
• It requires the court to give both parents a full and fair evaluation prior to establishing custody or weighing in on a visitation agreement.
• One provision might require a judge to record in writing the reasoning for each custody ruling they make.
• Judges would be given the authority to fine, suspend driver’s or professional licenses, require surety bonds and even jail parents who frequently interfere with custody agreements or visitation.
• There is research that suggests children of divorce in a 50/50 custody arrangement have lower rates of teen suicide, teen pregnancy, and other behavioral issues.

However, there are some groups opposed to the law, and the Illinois Secretary of State’s office has indicated that passage of the bill could result in more paperwork for its employees.

Secure Help from a Knowledgeable DuPage County Child Custody Attorney

Even if you expect your divorce to proceed without much surprise or resistance, nuances of divorce law missed by an unpracticed individual can result in a prolonged process and additional expense. It is important to avoid time wasting and unnecessary costs by relying on a experienced DuPage County divorce attorney. The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. is an aggressive advocate for your rights to spend time with your children after a divorce. To schedule a consultation, please contact our offices at 630-409-8184 and set up a time to discuss your custody concerns.

Sources:

http://www.wthitv.com/content/news/Illinois-group-hopes-to-pass-child-custody-law-461340823.html

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/illinois-wants-to-keeps-dads-involved-after-divorce/

http://mensrights.com/status-of-shared-parenting-bills/