Illinois Family Law Insider
All about navigating Family Law in Illinois — your trusted source for expert answers on divorce, child custody, support calculations, and all family legal matters. Each episode features Managing Partner Katie Vandeusen having meaningful conversations with our seasoned attorneys who break down complex issues into practical guidance.
We exclusively focus on Illinois family law, translating complicated statutes and procedures into clear, actionable information. Our discussions address the real concerns faced by Illinois families, providing insights whether you're in the midst of a legal situation or simply want to understand your rights.
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Illinois Family Law Insider
Child Custody in Illinois: What to Do When They Violate the Parenting Plan - #49
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Your ex stopped following the parenting schedule months ago, or your child's needs have changed, and the old arrangement isn't working. You want to modify custody in Illinois—yet you're wondering if your situation even qualifies. Sterling Lawyers Managing Partner Katie VanDeusen and Senior Associate Attorney Lea Diaz reveal the exact legal standards for modifying allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time.
In this episode, you'll learn about:
- Allocation of parental responsibilities (decision-making) vs. parenting time and separate modification standards for each
- Two-year serious endangerment threshold for decision-making changes versus substantial change requirements after two years
- Substantial change triggers, including work schedules, relocations, academic struggles, and repeated violations
- Six-month minimum for operating under new arrangements, and why judges may require longer
- Child preference factors and guardian ad litem (GAL) appointments for investigation
Listen in to discover why verbal agreements hold zero weight in court, how filing too soon destroys your case before it starts, which documentation patterns prove violations and substantial changes to judges, and why changing arrangements on your own without court orders can cost you parenting time and decision-making authority in Illinois post-judgment custody modifications.