How To Get 50/50 Joint Custody in An Illinois Divorce or Parentage Action - Russell D. Knight

From Law Office of Russell D. Knight – How To Get 50/50 Joint Custody in An Illinois Divorce or Parentage Action breaks down the legal, strategic, and emotional landscape of securing equal parenting time in Illinois. This episode walks listeners through the step-by-step process outlined by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS), showing how parenting time and decision-making responsibilities are allocated and how to navigate this complex journey with clarity and purpose.

We begin by demystifying the modern concept of custody in Illinois. With the legal language shifting away from "custody" and toward "parenting time" and "decision-making responsibilities," the focus is now centered on the best interests of the child. Listeners will gain valuable insights on how to craft and submit a parenting plan within the statutory 120-day requirement, and how to tactically draft provisions for joint authority over education, health, religion, and extracurricular activities.

The episode then explores equal parenting time schedules such as 3/4/4/3, 5/5/2/2, and week-on/week-off, helping parents visualize and choose a realistic arrangement based on their child’s age and the family’s logistics. Key statutory tools such as mediation (750 ILCS 5/602.10), guardian ad litem investigations (750 ILCS 5/506), and the right of first refusal (750 ILCS 5/602.3) are thoroughly explained, giving parents a practical roadmap to advocate for 50/50 custody—even when the other parent resists.

Finally, we tackle common hurdles like character attacks, gatekeeping behaviors, and post-decree modifications (750 ILCS 5/610.5). The episode emphasizes cooperation, persistence, and preparation, especially when trying to shift from a less-than-equal arrangement to a true 50/50 setup. If joint custody is your goal, this episode offers a powerful combination of legal analysis and grounded strategy from the Law Office of Russell D. Knight’s Chicago-based family law perspective.

Law Office of Russell D. Knight

1165 N Clark St #700, Chicago, IL 60610, United States

(773) 334-6311

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