What are the different custodial arrangements available in Illinois?
There are three ways that custody can be awarded: sole custody can be awarded to the mother, sole custody can be awarded to the father, or the parties can be awarded joint custody of the children. If a party is awarded sole custody, that parent is the final decision maker in regard to the children. He or she can consult with the other parent regarding issues involving the children, but if no agreement is reached between the parties, the sole custodian is allowed to make the ultimate decision. In a joint parenting arrangement, generally the parents retain equal rights in making major decisions involving the children. Those major decisions are usually defined as educational, health and religious decisions. Joint custody does not necessarily mean that the children live with the parents are an equal basis, nor does it mean that no child support will be paid by one parent to the other.
