Chicago has 349 Child custody Attorneys with 3294 Reviews
![Agnes Zielinski Olechno Child Custody Attorney]( "Agnes Zielinski Olechno headshot")
Agnes Zielinski Olechno
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Williams & Farmer - A Family Law Firm
211 W Wacker, Suite 1100, Chicago, ILHelping couples and children save time, money, and emotional trauma. Call for a free consultationPractice area20% Child custody, 20% Family, 20% Divorce and separation, and more.CostFree Consultation 60 minutesLicenseIL, Active since 2013![Robert Buchanan Child Custody Attorney]( "Robert Buchanan headshot")
Robert B Buchanan
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
The Law Offices of Robert B. Buchanan
161 N. Clark St., Ste. 1700, Chicago, ILWe take a team approach to protecting your child and enforcing your rights. Our office offers representation by attorneys, paralegals, and staff who all have 10-plus years in the practice of family law. Request a consult to experience our superior...Practice area20% Child custody, 50% Divorce and separation, 20% Family, and more.CostHourly Rates, $175-$450/hourLicenseIL, Active since 2012![Jeffery Leving Child Custody Attorney]( "Jeffery Leving headshot")
Jeffery Mark Leving
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd.
19 South La Salle Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, ILWe are a nationally-recognized family law firm dealing in divorce, child custody & visitation rightsPractice area20% Child custody, 20% Marriage and prenuptials, 20% Family, and more.CostLicenseIL, Active since 1979![Fred Joshua Child Custody Attorney]( "Fred Joshua headshot")
Fred A. Joshua
Fred A. Joshua, PC
200 West Madison, Suite 2100, Chicago, ILNothing comes even close in value to children in any marriage. We live by that first & foremost !![Raiford Palmer Child Custody Attorney]( "Raiford Palmer headshot")
Raiford D. Palmer
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
22 West Washington St. Suite 1500, Chicago, ILI fix Chicagoland divorce problems. From complex trials to amicable and uncontested divorces. I've written a bestselling book about divorce on Amazon, "I Just Want This Done, How Smart, Successful People Get Divorced Without Losing Their Kids, Mon...Practice area10% Child custody, 30% Divorce and separation, 20% Uncontested divorce, and more.CostLicenseIL, Active since 1994![Bradley Kaye Child Custody Attorney]( "Bradley Kaye headshot")
Bradley Robert Kaye
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
The Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C.
180 N. Stetson Ave., Suite 1300, Chicago, ILAn aggressive family law attorney who can help you take control of the situation. Call today.![Luke Kazmar Child Custody Attorney]( "Luke Kazmar headshot")
Luke D. Kazmar
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Kazmar Feely LLC
200 S. Wacker, Suite 3100, Chicago, IL2021 Client Choice Award ® / 10 Best in Client Satisfaction ®![Melissa Caballero Child Custody Attorney]( "Melissa Caballero headshot")
Melissa Veronica Caballero
Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C.
180 N Stetson Ave Ste 1300, Chicago, ILReview: “I was referred to Melissa by a friend who was also using her for her divorce. From day one, Melissa advised me of my different options and helped educate me so that I could make the right decisions. She never tried to pus...![Michael Craven Child Custody Attorney]( "Michael Craven headshot")
Michael C. Craven
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Harrison & Held, LLP
333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700, Chicago, ILCall Experienced, Strong and Highly Acclaimed Divorce Lawyer Michael Craven to Get Started Today!Practice area30% Child custody, 35% Divorce and separation, 35% FamilyCostHourly Rates, $200-$500/hourLicenseIL, Active since 1984![Audrey Gaynor Child Custody Attorney]( "Audrey Gaynor headshot")
Audrey L. Gaynor
Gaynor Law
20 South Clark Street, Suite 1620, Chicago, ILPrincipal attorney and founder of Gaynor Law (f.k.a. Audrey Gaynor and Associates, P.C.). Graduated from the University of Michigan with honors in 1983 and received my J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1986. Prior to concentratin...![John Conniff Child Custody Attorney]( "John Conniff headshot")
John A Conniff
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Law Offices of John A. Conniff
77 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 4500, Chicago, ILExtensive Experience, Coupled With A Passion! Handling All Family Matters. Call For A Free ConsultationPractice area20% Child custody, 65% Divorce and separation, 10% Child support, and more.CostFree Consultation 30 minutesLicenseIL, Active since 2011![Joseph Napoli Child Custody Attorney]( "Joseph Napoli headshot")
Joseph Ronald Napoli II
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Joseph R. Napoli of Beermann LLP
161 N Clark Street, Ste 3000, (or [email protected]), Chicago, ILConcerned about family matters, divorce, or child custody issues? Attorney Joseph Napoli can help.![Burton Hochberg Child Custody Attorney]( "Burton Hochberg headshot")
Burton Sanford Hochberg
Schiller Ducanto & Fleck LLP, 200 N La Salle St Fl 30, Chicago, ILCompassion and experience in the most challenging family law cases.![Laura Baldwin Child Custody Attorney]( "Laura Baldwin headshot")
Laura I. Baldwin
Sullivan Taylor, Gumina & Palmer, P.C.
22 West Washington, Suite 1500, Chicago, ILPlease contact me today to discuss your legal needs and resolve your matters, whether it be litigation or alternative dispute resolution, at. I practice family law in Cook, DuPage and surrounding counties. I am a litigator, trained mediator, and...![Maxine Weiss Kunz Child Custody Attorney]( "Maxine Weiss Kunz headshot")
Maxine Weiss Kunz
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Weiss Kunz & Oliver, LLC
77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 4500, Chicago, ILExperienced & Compassionate Family Law Attorney. 312-646-4397![Amanda Oliver Child Custody Attorney]( "Amanda Oliver headshot")
Amanda Marhia Oliver
Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC
180 N. LaSalle St Suite 3700, Chicago, ILAmanda Oliver is a founding partner of Weiss-Kunz & Oliver, LLC. Ms. Oliver has dedicated the 11 plus years of her practice to family law cases involving child custody, visitation, child support and parentage matters, estate valuation and account ...![Lucas Figiel Child Custody Attorney]( "Lucas Figiel headshot")
Lucas C. Figiel
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Figiel Law Offices, Ltd
7111 West Higgins Avenue, Chicago, ILExperienced and results-oriented family law attorney who fulfills client’s goals and expectations. Call today for consultation!![Kathryn Mickelson Child Custody Attorney]( "Kathryn Mickelson headshot")
Kathryn Homburger Mickelson
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
161 N. Clark Street, Suite 3000, Chicago, ILStrategic, Assertive and Personal Family Law GuidancePractice area20% Child custody, 40% Divorce and separation, 20% Marriage and prenuptials, and more.CostHourly Rates, $575-$575/hourLicenseIL, Active since 2005![Morgan Given Child Custody Attorney]( "Morgan Given headshot")
Morgan Elizabeth Given
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
161 N Clark St. Ste. 1700, Chicago, ILFierce, compassionate, and experienced family lawyer. Call for a free consultation![Michael Lodermeier Child Custody Attorney]( "Michael Lodermeier headshot")
Michael L. Lodermeier
Open for business Open for businessAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are open during this time are marked "Open for business" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Virtual Consultation Virtual ConsultationAttorneys that have confirmed to Avvo that they are available for a phone or video consultation have "Virtual Consultation" on their profile. We recommend that you contact the attorney directly to determine hours and availability.
Michael L. Lodermeier, P.C.
22 West Washington, Suite 1500, Chicago, ILHonest. Aggressive. Intelligent. Call For A Free Consultation.
CHILD CUSTODY IN CHICAGO
If you’re going through a divorce with children, you’ll need to determine where and with whom your children will live. A child custody lawyer can help you negotiate custody, either by agreement or in court. If you as parents can’t agree on child custody, a judge will decide for you. Continue reading to learn more about the process and costs of child custody cases in Chicago and Illinois.
Types of Child Custody
Legal Custody. Legal custody refers to a parent’s right to make major decisions about a child's welfare, health, and education, including:
-where a child will go to school
-whether a child will engage in religious activities, and
-whether a child should receive medical care (except in emergency situations).
Joint vs. Sole Legal Custody. Legal custody can be shared (joint) or sole. In Illinois, joint legal custody means that both parents share in the right and responsibility to make decisions relating to the health, education, and welfare of a child. The fact that parents share joint legal custody, however, doesn’t mean they will share joint physical custody.
Sole legal custody means that only one parent has the right to make all major decisions relating to the child and can do so without the other parent's input. The fact that a parent has sole legal custody doesn’t mean that parent will also have sole physical custody.
Physical Custody. Physical custody refers to where a child will live after a divorce or separation. The parent with physical custody has the right to have the child physically present in the home. If a child lives exclusively or primarily with one parent, that parent is usually referred to as the custodial parent, while the other is the noncustodial parent and typically has visitation rights.
Joint vs. Sole Physical Custody. Joint physical custody means that both parents have significant periods of physical custody. If a child's time is divided equally—or close to equally—between the parents, they are sharing joint physical custody. Sole physical custody means a child resides with one parent, subject to the court's authority to order visitation time with the other.
How Is Child Custody Determined?
In Illinois, judges decide custody according to what is in the best interest of the child. To decide a child’s best interests, the court will consider many factors, including:
-each parent’s wishes regarding child custody
-the child’s wishes about which parent will have custody (if the child is over 14)
-the child’s relationship with the parent(s), sibling(s), and anyone else who may affect the child's best interest
-the child's adjustment to home, school, and community
-the mental and physical health of everyone involved
-whether there’s been physical violence or a threat of physical violence by the child's potential custodian, whether directed against the child or another person
-whether there has been ongoing or repeated domestic violence, whether directed against the child or another person
-the willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the other parent and the child, and
-whether either parent is a sex offender.
Legal Custody. Parents usually share joint legal custody, unless one of the following is true:
-the parents are completely unable to make decisions together
-one parent is deemed unfit
-one parent is incapable of making decisions regarding the welfare of the child, or
-it would be in the child’s best interests for only one parent to have sole legal custody.
Physical Custody. Unlike some states, Illinois doesn't presume that joint custody is in the child's best interests. Judges will consider all relevant factors in deciding what physical custody schedule best serves the child.
What Goes Into a Custody Agreement?
In Illinois, a custody agreement is referred to as a parenting plan. Generally, a parenting plan should cover physical custody and include a detailed schedule for when the child will be with each parent, including:
-where the child will be for holidays, summer vacations, and special days like birthdays
-how the child will get from one parent to the other (transitions), and
-who will pay the costs of transportation.
Your agreement should also cover legal custody and how you will make decisions about your child’s health, education, and welfare including:
-daycare and/or which school(s) the child will attend
-whether the child will practice a certain religion, and
-how decisions about medical and dental care will be made.
If you have questions, speak to a local child custody attorney for advice.
The Average Cost of Child Custody Case in Illinois
Each family is unique, and each custody case presents its own specific circumstances which will play a major role in how long a custody case will take and how much it might cost. When parents agree on all of their custody issues, the total cost will be on the lower end. If parents can’t agree or have a prolonged custody dispute in court, the total cost will be significantly higher.
While we don’t have specific data on the cost of a custody case in Chicago or Illinois, we do know that in one survey, readers who had disagreements over child support and/or custody paid an average of $15,500 in total costs—including $13,500 in attorney’s fees and $2,000 in other costs.
Attorney’s fees represent the largest chunk of divorce costs. Because attorneys in the Chicago area charge higher hourly rates than other areas of Illinois, custody cases in Chicago will likely cost more than in other parts of the state.
For more on child custody in Illinois, and questions asked in Chicago, see our free legal advice page.