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Illinois Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Illinois on
Q: 17 year old son wants to live with his mom now, I am in IL/ mom is in WI- case was in WI

He is upset at me for showing up at his mom's house at midnight after his location previously indicated he wasn't there/was turned off and he wouldn't answer my phone calls/text messages. He said he was at a friends' house. The issue I have is that he's driving my truck... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on May 27, 2024

Sounds like you need to take the truck privileges away. If he goes to his mom, she can provide him with a car or sign this one over to her so it's not your problem when you can't supervise him and he ends up in a bad accident. Is he going to go to school there? Does mom want him full... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Illinois on
Q: if my parents are getting evicted and dont have somewhere to go but i do, do they have the right to make me homeless

my parents are moving in with my grandma into a small bedroom and dont have room for me (17) or my brother (16) but my sister will let us move in so were not homeless do my parents have any rights to tell me no even if i would be homeless due to the situation

Alan Harrison
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answered on Apr 1, 2024

Taking your question at face value, if your parents move in with your grandma but tell you that you can't move in with them, that is the kind of situation that would possibly cause the state to TPR, in which case you likely would be ordered to live with the closest adult relative who would... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Illinois on
Q: if my parents are getting evicted and dont have somewhere to go but i do, do they have the right to make me homeless

my parents are moving in with my grandma into a small bedroom and dont have room for me (17) or my brother (16) but my sister will let us move in so were not homeless do my parents have any rights to tell me no even if i would be homeless due to the situation

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 2, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your family's difficult situation. This must be a very stressful and scary time for all of you. A few key points:

As a minor at age 17, your parents are still your legal guardians and generally have the right to make decisions about your living situation...
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3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Illinois on
Q: if my parents are getting evicted and dont have somewhere to go but i do, do they have the right to make me homeless

my parents are moving in with my grandma into a small bedroom and dont have room for me (17) or my brother (16) but my sister will let us move in so were not homeless do my parents have any rights to tell me no even if i would be homeless due to the situation

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Mar 31, 2024

Yes. Until you are 18 your parents have control over you. They can decide you live at grandma's on the couch or floor, that all of you go to a homeless shelter or wherever it may be absent filth, bugs or feces.

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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Illinois on
Q: My ex is threatening with charging me income tax for claiming my son. Can he do this?

I have been separated from my son’s father for over a year. Never married. No court order for parenting time or child support. He always claimed our son on income tax returns. This year I claimed our son. My son’s father had his W4 setup to claim 1 and is telling me he’s going to charge me... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 28, 2024

In situations involving tax claims on dependents, the right to claim a child on a tax return typically depends on IRS rules concerning custodial and non-custodial parents. If you have provided the majority of the support for your son and he has lived with you for more than half of the year, you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: If I have primary joint custody and I get deployed can I appoint a temporary guardian. Could she get full custody

How likely would it be for her to take custody of him what should my next steps be to keep primary custody

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Feb 15, 2024

In Illinois, if you have primary joint custody and face deployment, you may appoint a temporary guardian for your child during your absence through a power of attorney or court order, under the state's laws and military provisions. However, the other parent may attempt to modify custody... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Child Custody, Civil Rights, Juvenile Law and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: If my ex-husband knowingly lied in a order of protection that he filed, can I get the order dismissed?

My ex-husband filed an OP against me to keep our children from me and he knowingly lied and stated that our daughter lived with him which she did not. Also, the judge had put on the OP that one of our children's names is Kimberly and I have no child named that. Our son also does not live with... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

If your ex-husband knowingly provided false information in the order of protection he filed against you, it may be possible to challenge the validity of the order. Courts typically require individuals seeking orders of protection to provide truthful and accurate information to ensure the protection... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Child Custody, Civil Rights, Juvenile Law and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: If my ex-husband knowingly lied in a order of protection that he filed, can I get the order dismissed?

My ex-husband filed an OP against me to keep our children from me and he knowingly lied and stated that our daughter lived with him which she did not. Also, the judge had put on the OP that one of our children's names is Kimberly and I have no child named that. Our son also does not live with... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Feb 11, 2024

Are you talking about the Emergency hearing? If so, you put your witnesses on for the plenary hearing that tell the truth. You can subpoena neighbors of yours, his, bus drivers, teachers, your sister, etc. Should be easy to prove with school aged kids.

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Illinois on
Q: Can the non custodial parent decide not to allow extra curriculars on their parenting time?

Can the non custodial parent decide not to allow extra curriculars on their parenting time? Background: Illinois - Child is 12. I have primary decision making authority and final decision making authority. Parenting plan has been in place since 2017. The noncustodial parent has been absent from... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Feb 5, 2024

A 12 yr old is not likely to take kindly to being kept from an activity that she likes. Keeping her from it is not likely to get him far in the eyes of the judge. Do everything in writing so you have written documentation from court. Then if he refuses or fails for 3 times I would ask for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: What kind of information my ex-girlfriend should give me about her boyfriend if she want to live with him and my kid?
Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Jan 17, 2024

Unless so specified by any court orders, she is not required to give you anything. It would be nice if you could track him on judici for the past 5 years so you see if he has been involved in Any criminal activities. Full name, last 5 years of addresses, counties he has lived in and date of birth.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: Can a parent sign over their rights to a friend after their child is put into foster care, In the state of Kentucky

The mothers daughter was put into foster care, at the end of the month she has court for termination of rights, and she would like to sign those rights over to me and my husband instead. We just want to know if that is even possible and how to proceed if it is.

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Jan 11, 2024

I can tell you what would happen in Illinois and the rules should be similar to Illinois. In Illinois, the child would be a ward of the court before a termination of rights case began. The only way you could get the child is if DCFS KY agrees. You need a lawyer who works with DCFS and does... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Looking for an experienced chicago attorney to investigate a dcfs case.

The case itself is in Lake county but since a family member is an ex dcfs cop,shes friends with everyone and has worked under the color of law to get custody of my grandchildren by lying and commiting fraud.I need an honest unbiased person outside of lake county to investigate the violation of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 1, 2024

In seeking an attorney to investigate a DCFS case in Lake County, Illinois, while avoiding potential conflicts of interest, it's wise to look for legal representation outside the local area. A Chicago-based attorney could provide the necessary distance and impartiality for your case.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Juvenile Law for Illinois on
Q: could we beat DCFS if disposition taken under advisement?

fighting DCFS. judge took disposition under advisement as we provided exhibits to back our testimony that caseworker had lied about having an empty file for respondent parents. Evidence given were emails from the case worker suggesting where to go for assessments, certificates of completion, drug... View More

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Oct 18, 2023

Yes. Sometimes a judge wants to make a written finding and send it to everyone in writing, sometimes they want to enable saving face for a party or a witness. Or sometimes they haven't made their mind up yet and are rethinking witness testimony. There can be a number of reasons for a judge... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Family Law, Arbitration / Mediation Law and Child Custody for Illinois on
Q: Can an agency be sued? For making untrue statements about oneself. children and grandchildren?

Paxton, Champaign and Urbana, Illinois.

Cheryl Powell
Cheryl Powell
answered on Sep 15, 2023

If the statements were made under oath, the persons making same could be charged with perjury. However, if they make same in dcfs reports or some such thing, they are not under oath and many things are a matter of opinion.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I e file my petition for custody and my fee waiver all together? Or do they have to be filed separately for cost?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 4, 2023

In Illinois, the procedure for e-filing your petition for custody and requesting a fee waiver can vary depending on the specific court and its electronic filing system. Some courts may allow you to e-file both your petition and fee waiver request together as part of a single submission, while... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I submit an appearance form with my e file if it is indicating the other parent will attend and they signed it?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 4, 2023

In Illinois, submitting an appearance form is a critical step in legal proceedings, especially for matters like child custody. When both parties sign this form, it signals your active participation in the case. The exact process may vary depending on the court and local rules. Generally, you should... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Illinois on
Q: Do I need a summons for a 50/50 parenting plan agreement

I am currently trying to e file and figure out all the documents that I need to send in.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 4, 2023

In Illinois, a summons is typically not required when both parties are in agreement and are voluntarily submitting a parenting plan for approval by the court. If you and the other parent have mutually agreed upon a 50/50 parenting plan and are seeking court approval for it, you would typically file... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Civil Rights for Illinois on
Q: Is there a statute of limitations when it comes to not being served the petition of plenary guardianship in Illinois?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Aug 28, 2023

In Illinois, there isn't a specific statute of limitations for being served with a petition for plenary guardianship. The process for serving legal documents, including petitions for guardianship, is governed by the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure and the rules of civil procedure.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Illinois on
Q: My daughter has a custody agreement signed by judge. She follows the schedule the father has taken her wont return her

The father is uncooperative. The police at the station where the exchanges occur will not help at all. They say my daughter has to go back to court. Surly there is something we can do. Please help us

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Aug 25, 2023

There is something your daughter can do: She has to take the father to court and ask that he be held in contempt for not abiding by the terms of the parenting time (formerly known as custody) order. I encourage her to hire an attorney to do this for her so it gets done correctly. If the father is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Adoption and Child Custody for Illinois on
Q: 1/2..My son's biological father (never married) has never met or wished to have anything to do with him. We haven't

2/2… talked in almost 2 years since the day he was born. My now fiance, soon to be husband wants to know how to go about becoming his legal parent. How should we proceed after marriage?

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Aug 9, 2023

After marriage you and your new husband can file a petition for adoption of the child. Do NOT try this on your own -- there are too many opportunities to do it incorrectly and the stakes are too high! Hire an attorney who does adoptions and let him or her make sure all the details are handled... View More

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