Child Custody And Child Support: Compassionate Advocacy Meets Skill And Experience
Last updated on March 4, 2025
One of the important aspects of most divorce proceedings is to secure the well-being of your children if you have them. When contemplating the split of one household into two, envisioning child custody can strike fear into your heart. It is normal to worry that your parent-child relationship will suffer or be threatened. It’s also normal to worry about how your divorce will affect your child emotionally. These concerns are common and understandable.
An experienced and compassionate child custody attorney can help keep you from getting overwhelmed by the process. My name is Sahara Bell, and I am a child custody lawyer. I founded my firm, the Bell Law Group, to advocate on behalf of clients who are going through a divorce and dealing with child custody and child support legal issues. With offices in Atlanta and Matteson, I help clients in Georgia and Illinois resolve their child custody and child support challenges.
Considerate Guidance From An Experienced Child Custody Lawyer
As the child of divorced parents, I am uniquely sensitive to the issues of child custody and support. With firsthand experience, I know how a divorce can impact children who often have little understanding of what is happening. For a child, going through a divorce has the potential to be a destabilizing experience.
As a divorce lawyer, I work with my clients to provide compassionate legal support to manage these delicate issues. In doing so, I will keep your child’s best interests in mind. However, I will also prioritize the protection of your parental rights. Together, we will set goals, and I will fight to achieve your objectives as we negotiate and resolve custody and child support issues.
Understanding Child Custody Laws In Illinois
In the state of Illinois, child custody and visitation is referred to as parenting time and the allocation of parental responsibility.
- Parental responsibility: Parental responsibility refers to decision-making authority regarding major areas of the child’s life. These decisions include education, religion, health care and extracurricular activities. This right may held by both parents jointly or by only one parent solely.
- Parenting time: Parenting time addresses where the child will reside. It may also be decided on a joint (shared) basis, or one parent may have sole physical possession of the child. Where parenting time is shared or equally split, parents must create a time-sharing plan that the court approves.
Courts in Illinois make decisions based on the best interests of the child. It is generally believed that children do best with continuing and frequent contact with both parents. Thus, courts usually favor joint parenting time.
When Do Courts Consider Awarding Custody To One Parent?
While courts generally favor joint custody or parenting time, every family situation is different and unique. In cases where a child’s safety may be at risk, courts may award sole physical custody to one parent. For example, if a parent has a history of family violence or substance abuse the court will consider awarding sole physical custody or parenting time to only one parent.
I am a dedicated child custody attorney who will always advocate for your child’s best interests and your child custody goals. You can rely on me to ensure that your voice is heard in court and that your child’s voice is heard.
Understanding Child Support In Illinois
Under Illinois family law, a parent has a financial obligation to their child. It doesn’t matter if the parents are married, divorced or have never been married. When parents separate or divorce, it is common that one parent will pay the other parent child support. The amount of this support is determined by state guidelines. Generally, the payor is the noncustodial parent who spends less time with the child.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Child support payments are calculated on a state formula using a percentage of the payor’s net income. How much a payor will be required to pay will be based on the number of children needing support. For example, if two children need support, the support payment will be 28 percent of the payor’s net income.
Courts have the authority to deviate from these calculations when it is determined that the amount derived is inappropriate or unfair to a child or either of the parents. I work with my clients to help them figure out a support plan that works for you and your child. I will advocate on your behalf to help make sure child support payments are fair. I also understand that it is important to establish child support in a timely manner.
Consult A Child Custody And Support Lawyer
Establishing child support and securing child custody can be complicated, not to mention contentious. It is extremely important to get things right the first time. Let me be your advocate and provide you with the compassionate legal guidance that you deserve. With offices in Matteson and Atlanta, I help clients in Illinois and Georgia.
To schedule a confidential consultation or to find out more about how I can help you with your divorce, you can send me a message using my online contact form. You can also reach me by calling (708) 512-5575 to set up an appointment. I am looking forward to answering your questions and telling you more about how I can help you with your case.