Terms You Need to Know in Your Child Custody Case

 Posted on May 14, 2025 in Child Custody

 When you divorce as a parent, you will inevitably have to go through the legal proceedings of splitting up custody. This is not an easy task for any parent to grapple with, especially if you are not familiar with the courtroom jargon. An Illinois family law attorney can help clarify the most confusing parts of this process, advocating for your parental rights all the way through.

Having a knowledgeable lawyer at your side during a child custody dispute can be invaluable. At Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., we have over 100 years of combined experience shared between our team of attorneys, which has given us deep insights into the inner workings of child custody cases.

What Are The Child’s Best Interests?

During a child custody case, you will likely hear the term "best interests" used frequently in court. Naturally, most parents want what is best for their children, but you should know that the child’s best interests play a specific role in family law. When making decisions for the child’s welfare, the court may consider different factors regarding best interests, such as:

• What you and your co-parent desire from a custody arrangement

• What your child wants (taking age and maturity into account)

• How much time either you or your co-parent have spent taking care of your child in the last two years

• Your child’s attachment to his or her community

These are only a few factors that can go into a custody decision. At Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., we can help you make a case for your child’s best interests based on your family’s unique circumstances.

What Is Parenting Time?

In Illinois, the term "parenting time" is used to describe the arrangement of physical custody and visitation rights. Parenting time should be scheduled consistently in such a way that it provides your child with a safe and stable environment.

Parenting time does not necessarily have to be split 50/50. Depending on the distance between you and your co-parent, your respective schedules and availability, and other factors, it might make more sense for the child to reside primarily at one residence. In some cases, a parent could be denied parenting time altogether if he or she cannot provide a safe home for the child due to neglect or abuse.

How Is Legal Custody Different From Physical Custody?

Legal custody (now referred to as decision-making responsibility in Illinois) means your right to make choices that impact your child’s life. These usually cover important areas such as healthcare, education, or religion.

If you are seeking custody rights over your child, it is important that you petition for decision-making responsibility as well as parenting time. At Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., our lawyers can argue for your right to provide input in your child’s upbringing.

Meet With a Will County, IL Family Law Attorney Today

The language of the law can be hard to interpret at the best of times. At Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C., we can help fill in the gaps for you as we work to protect your parental rights. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Joliet, IL child custody lawyers today, call our offices at 815-666-1285.