Who gets sole custody of a child in Illinois?

In Illinois, custody is referred to as allocation of parental responsibility. When a parent has sole custody, the child is his or her total responsibility, and the parent will have the right to make decisions about the child’s education, medical care, religious training, and extracurricular activities.

Is legal custody the same as full custody?

Legal custody Legal custody is separate from physical custody. As physical custody is regarding where the child lives, legal custody decides which parent controls the child’s upbringing. A child’s upbringing covers the child’s schooling, medical care and religious upbringing.

How are child custody decisions made in Illinois?

A judge will make physical and legal custody decisions based on the child’s best interests. Unlike some states, Illinois custody laws don’t presume that joint custody is automatically in the child’s best interests. Judges will try to give both parents maximum involvement in the child’s life.

What is the difference between legal and physical custody in Illinois?

In Illinois (as in other states), courts distinguish between legal and physical custody. Legal custody gives a parent the right to make important decisions about raising the child, such as where the child will go to school, religious training, and so on. Physical custody refers to where the child actually lives.

Can a child live with both parents in Illinois?

In a sole physical custody arrangement, the child lives with one parent full-time, even if the non-custodial parent has visitation rights or shares in the legal custody arrangement. Illinois child custody laws stipulate that children 14 and older may choose which parent to live with, but the judge may overrule this…

What do you need to know about Illinois legal aid?

Includes the forms you need and suggestions for going to court. A program to help you create a Petition for Rule to Show Cause to help you enforce an earlier family law court order. Explains how to write a document that says who will make decisions for a child and how those decisions will be made.

What is legal custody and physical custody in Illinois?

Illinois courts recognize legal custody and physical custody. The term legal custody refers to the right of a parent or guardian to make major life decisions, such as schooling and religious upbringing. The term physical custody refers to the decision of which parent or guardian the child lives with.

How to change custody of a child in Illinois?

Steps to change parental responsibilities also known as custody from the forms you need to how the court hearing works. Explains steps to take to enforce a parental responsibilities (“custody”) order. Includes the forms you need and suggestions for going to court.