Chicago Parenting Time Attorney

Since 2004, we’ve successfully resolved numerous parenting plan issues and visitation disputes. Common issues include:

• Supervised or restricted visitation orders – If the court determines that parenting time with the noncustodial parent could be detrimental to the child, then visitation may be prohibited or subject to special restrictions, such as not allowing a parent to drive the child in a motor vehicle or take them overnight. This can stem from a history of domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse, or substance abuse, and the court will investigate the allegations before taking action. Courts may also appoint a supervisor to monitor visitation, and in some cases, this can be a reasonable party which the parents agree upon. The restrictions may be lifted in the future if the court believes the child is no longer at risk.
• Custody exchanges in safe locations — Parents with a highly contentious relationship or a history of domestic violence may be encouraged or even required to make custody transfers at a prearranged safe place, like a shopping mall or police station.
• Parental alienation — When one parent attempts to alienate the other parent from the affections of the child, it can be detrimental to all involved. This is grounds for reevaluating the child custody order or denying visitation. If a custodial parent praises or encourages a child for rejecting the noncustodial parent or punishes the youngster for showing affection to the other parent – even in subtle ways – the court can construe that behavior as a violation of the visitation order.
• Third-party visitation — Parents are not the only interested parties in visitation disputes. A custodial parent may deny grandparents access to their grandchildren. Courts have upheld grandparents’ rights to visitation in cases where emotional bonds existed between the grandparents and the grandchildren who have been active in each other’s lives.
• Modification — Because children develop different interests over time and their schedules are constantly changing, modifications to visitation plans are often necessary. Some adjustments are easy to negotiate, but major disputes can occur if one parent makes plans to move out of state with the children.