When a family splits apart, the law determines how two former spouses can raise their children, whether separately or together on different occasions. Child custody is no easy or simple matter, and it’s never cut-and-dry.
There are specifications, circumstances, and a number of differences from one case to the next. However, having your general bearings over how a custody case would work as per family law is necessary for you to ensure the best future for your child.
How to Ask For Custody
If you wish to gain custody over your child, the first step is to determine whether you have a family court case open, or whether you have to open one up. If you’ve gone to court over your specific marriage or living arrangements before, there are a number of steps to go through with professional Des Plaines child custody attorneys before you can secure new visitation and custody rights with your child.
Through a professional and reputable law firm like Family Law Advocate, you can take the first step by asking for and filling out the proper court forms. There are various forms to fill depending on what exactly you want, which is where it becomes important to consult a professional for your specific case.
Next, you need to have your forms reviewed by the court’s family law facilitator, so they can make sure your forms are in proper order before proceeding with the matter.
After the forms are filed with the clerk and copied – so you have a copy for yourself and the courts – you can get your court date. Then, either by a professional service or yourself, you can serve your papers to the other parent.
From there, it’s a matter of what the courts decide. Depending on your living situation, income and more, it’s then up to your lawyer and the way the courts rule. The procedure is a little different if you need your custody rights due to an emergency, as per The Law Dictionary, but typically this is what the procedure will look like.