Your LGBTQ Child Custody Lawyers in Chicago, IL
Nothing is more important to parents than their children. If you’re involved in a divorce, civil union dissolution, or other separation that may affect your custody or visitation rights, you must retain a skilled and knowledgeable family law attorney.
At Metz & Jones LLC, we devote a significant portion of our legal practice to family law matters. This includes LGBTQ+ divorce, other legal separation, property division, and custody cases.
For more than 40 years, our attorneys have been protecting the custody and visitation rights of parents. If you need help resolving child custody or visitation-related issues in the greater Chicagoland area or Cook County, contact us now. Our custody and visitation attorneys are here to defend your rights as a parent and your child’s best interests.
Why Work With an Illinois Child Visitation Attorney?
Our attorneys are well-known for taking solution-oriented approaches to all types of legal issues. While we place high value on communication, including mediation and other dispute resolution measures, we also understand that some disputes require the intervention of a judge.
To fully protect the rights of our clients, we prepare meticulously for the possibility of trial in each case. When disputes cannot be resolved without litigation, we have the trial experience to provide the strong advocacy our clients need.
Our lawyers handle parenting time and responsibility disputes that may arise in a variety of situations, including:
- Divorce
- Dissolving a Civil Union
- Dissolution for Couples With No Marriage or Civil Union
- Parental Relocation
- Visitation Disputes
- Modification of Custody and Visitation Orders
Working with an experienced LGBT+ child custody lawyer offers important advantages during emotionally difficult times. Illinois family law is complex, and our attorneys understand the intricacies of child custody laws.
Legal representation is especially important in contested cases. When parents disagree about visitation, having an attorney who understands legal requirements and emotional aspects helps ensure better outcomes for you and your children.
LGBTQ+ families often face unique legal challenges. Despite marriage equality, non-biological parents may run into obstacles in establishing parental rights. Our firm specializes in protecting all parents’ relationships with their children, regardless of biology or gender identity.
Legal Paperwork
Custody paperwork must be completed correctly. Mistakes can cause delays or unfavorable rulings. When you work with our attorneys, we handle all necessary paperwork. This includes court filings, procedural requirements, gathering necessary records, drafting detailed parenting plans, etc.
Custody Agreement Adjustment
We understand that custody arrangements sometimes need adjusting as children grow and circumstances change. This can be due to moving, work schedules, or worries about your child’s environment. We help change existing orders to reduce conflict and improve custody situations.
Confirming Paternity
Establishing paternity is a crucial step in many child custody and visitation cases in Illinois. When parents aren’t married, confirming the legal father-child relationship provides important benefits for everyone involved. For fathers, establishing paternity secures legal rights to seek custody or visitation. For children, it ensures access to family medical history, potential health insurance benefits, and inheritance rights.
Child Support
Child support in Illinois follows specific guidelines meant to ensure children receive proper financial support from both parents. The state uses an “income shares” model that considers both parents’ incomes, parenting time arrangements, and the number of children in need of support.
For parents with complex financial situations, proper documentation and legal representation become particularly important. Our attorneys help ensure all relevant income is accurately reported and that support obligations are fair and appropriate.
Modifications to child support may be necessary when significant changes occur in either parent’s financial circumstances or the child’s needs. Whether you’re seeking to adjust an existing order or establish initial support, we provide guidance throughout the legal process.
Custody & Visitation for Same-Sex Couples
Same-sex parents have the same rights as opposite-sex parents when it comes to custody and visitation in Illinois. It’s important, however, to ensure you have established yourself as a child’s legal parent before you attempt to assert those rights.
Our firm can assist with establishing the legal parent-child relationship, as well as help negotiate custody and visitation arrangements that are in the best interests of your child. Our goal is to help clients maintain loving and positive relationships with their children following a divorce or separation.
Contact Metz & Jones LLC
At Metz & Jones LLC, we understand that nothing matters more than your relationship with your children. Custody, visitation, paternity, and support issues touch the most important aspects of your life and your children’s future. Our experienced attorneys combine legal skills with genuine compassion to guide you through these challenging family law matters.
Every family situation is unique, and we take the time to understand your specific concerns and goals. Whether you’re establishing initial custody arrangements, modifying existing orders, or addressing support issues, our team provides personalized guidance tailored to your needs.
As a Chicago-based LGBTQ+ family law firm, we’ve helped countless people navigate Illinois’ complex family court system. We believe in creating solutions that protect your parental rights while prioritizing your children’s well-being and stability.
Contact our Chicago child custody attorneys by calling (773) 878-4480 now or booking a consultation online. We’re here to address all of your legal needs concerning parental responsibility.
Serving the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community and Friends in Chicago, Cook County, and Across Illinois.