Metro East Illinois Child Custody Attorneys
Protect your relationship with your children with guidance from the Metro East’s trusted family law team. We help parents navigate parenting plans, allocation of parental responsibilities, and custody disputes across Madison, St. Clair, and Bond Counties.
Trusted Legal Guidance
Compassionate And Knowledgeable Guidance In Child Custody and Allocation Disputes
In a family legal dispute, the greatest concern parents have is the well-being of the children involved. At Mitchell Highlander, LLC, we understand and appreciate how important it is to protect your children. Whether you are involved in a custody dispute, need help enforcing a child support order, or require a modification to an existing custody arrangement or child support amount, we can help. The attorneys at Mitchell Highlander, LLC are experienced and dedicated advocates. Throughout your case, we will take the time to listen to your concerns and understand your goals. In every action we take, we will keep you informed about what is happening and work with you to ensure that we are doing what is best for you and your children.
Understanding Parental Responsibilities
Custody, Visitation And Allocation Of Parental Responsibilities
Courts determine parental responsibilities (formerly known as custody and visitation) according to the best interests of the child. This means courts will look at the role each parent has in the children’s lives, the relationships between the parents and a variety of other factors to determine what arrangement will be best for the children involved. Illinois courts do not consider a parent's gender when deciding. We can help you craft a parenting plan with the other parent that is best suited to your family situation. And when necessary, we can protect your relationship in court.
Parenting Plan Changes
Need A Modification?
Life doesn’t end at divorce. A job change, medical emergency or other issue may mean that your parenting plan or support order is no longer right for your situation. If you have experienced a significant change in circumstances, you can petition the court for a modification. But you must be proactive and file a petition as soon as you realize the current order is not in children’s best interest or appropriate. The current order will be in force until the court modifies it. Please note that in Illinois, support calculations are now determined by an “income shares” model. That means both parents’ incomes are used to calculate support. If one has changed, a modification may be appropriate.
Why Families Choose Us
What Sets Our CHILD CUSTODY Practice Apart?
Mitchell Highlander, LLC, stands apart through our balance of deep community integration and legal authority. As Metro East’s adoption specialists, we translate complex statutory language and county-specific procedures into clear, actionable guidance. Our day- to-day philosophy means we remain accessible at every stage, anticipating hurdles such as ICPC compliance, consent challenges, or DCFS requirements. Our trial readiness ensures you are protected even if your case faces an unexpected contest. With offices in Edwardsville, O’Fallon near Scott Air Force Base, and Greenville, we serve families across the region, delivering a compassionate but relentless approach that transforms uncertainty into the security of a legally finalized adoption.
Child Custody Questions
Child Custody Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of a formal parenting plan in Illinois?
A parenting plan governs how decisions are made for the minor child and when the child has parenting time with each parent, including week days, holidays, and summer. It also controls how the parents communicate with each other and the child. It dictates where the child goes to school and participation in extracurricular activities. It is crucial that this document is properly drafted to ensure the best interests of your child are well served and to sure that the plan is enforceable by the Court.
What if a parent wants to relocate with a child?
When a parent has been awarded a majority of or equal parenting time, he or she cannot relocate arbitrarily. Under Illinois law, a parent awarded the majority of or equal parenting time must give notice to the other parent. If the other parent objects, the parent seeking to relocate must file a petition with the court, seeking permission for the move. The law specifies specific distances that a parent can move without having to get approval from the other parent or the court. In most parts of Illinois, including Madison, St. Clair, and Bond Counties, this distance is 25 miles outside of the state and 50 miles in the state of Illinois.
When can you modify a parenting plan based on changed circumstances?
If you and your children’s other parents agree on a change in the plan, you can ask the judge to formalize that at any time. This is done by filing court documents. If you and your children’s other parents don’t agree, however, you will have to wait two years before you can seek a change in the allocation of decision-making responsibilities. The only exception to this time limitation is child endangerment. Endangerment could include abuse, excessive alcohol or drug use, or other risky behavior. The allocation of parenting time can be modified at any time there is a substantial change in circumstances and a modification is necessary to serve the best interest of the minor child. What constitutes a change in circumstances varies widely, but can include:
- the age of the child
- a parent moving
- a change in a parent’s work schedule
- a child’s extracurricular activities
- behavior by a parent that negatively impacts a child
Once the substantial change has been established, the court will evaluate whether a modification of parenting time is in the child’s best interests.
Can I modify custody or support after a PCS move?
Yes, but Illinois has strict rules on relocation and modification. We advise on the 25/50 mile threshold and file for modification when a substantial change occurs.
Client Experiences
Hear from Families We Helped with Child Custody Matters
Real stories from Metro East families who trusted Mitchell Highlander, LLC to help protect their relationships with their children during custody and parenting plan disputes.
