Fighting for Parenting Time: The Myth of Fragile Families

By Robert Ferrer Archivist and Principle Researcher, Children’s Rights Council of Illinois I mentioned in my previous column how misinformation prevails among those who are responsible for the next generation of policy in family law even though they claim that their views are formed after “careful study.” Objections to a …

Right of first refusal clause and paying for childcare

Question: My divorce decree reads “any child care expenses incurred because either party must work will be paid 65% by the Husband and 35% by the Wife.” If I am available to watch my children while my ex is at work and she sends them to childcare, do I still …

The Urgency of Reform

By Robert Ferrer Archivist and Principle Researcher, Children’s Rights Council of Illinois I recently attended a session of the Illinois Family Law Study Committee where they discussed reforms to the statues regarding parenting time for the non-residential parent. When the issue of increasing non-residential parenting time was proposed pundits against …

Parenting time exchanges when the winter weather limits travel

Question: My wife and I are expected to meet halfway to exchange the children during our parenting time. The winter weather in our area has made traveling difficult and I don’t feel comfortable driving for several hours in these conditions. How do you suggest we resolve the visitation exchange when …

Visitation and child custody when one parent is in jail

Question: How can I protect my parental rights and ensure visitation and shared custody if I am in jail?

Divorce After Adoption

By Jill A. Duffy Attorney, Cordell & Cordell The decision to adopt a child give the child what you hope will be a stable, loving environment to grow up in is an honorable one. Couples rarely adopt children with plans to divorce. But as we know, divorce happens. After an …

DadsDivorce Live: A Discussion on Family Law

In this edition of DadsDivorce Live, editor Matt Allen is joined by two guests to discuss the many underlying issues with non-custodial parents, usually dads, and the family court system. Mike Doherty, who has been a guest several times, is the chairman and co-founder of Children’s Rights Council of Illinois, …

How To Avoid Holiday Disasters

By Jill A. Duffy Attorney, Cordell & Cordell Living in two homes, new schedules and spending time away from a parent are hard enough for kids dealing with divorce. These stresses seem to amplify during the holidays, especially if parents are fighting over who spends the most holiday time with …

Third party parenting time pickups and dropoffs

Question: My question is in reference to who has priority over custody when a third party is involved with parenting time pickups and dropoffs. For example, we normally go through a custody exchange at daycare (I drop the child off in the morning and the mother picks up the child …

Modifying Holiday Parenting Time Schedule

By Jill A. Duffy Attorney, Cordell & Cordell In an earlier article on divorce, I outlined how to deal with two common holiday parenting time situations: parenting time has not yet been resolved and the first holiday season as a divorced couple. This article will address dealing with an outdated …