Custody disputes may arise in the context of divorce, after a legal separation, or when unmarried couples split or move-away. When faced with any custody battle, you know that the stakes are high and that the results could affect you and your child for life. At Tanzillo Stassin & Babcock, P.C., we understand the importance of every child custody and visitation dispute and will take a strategic and aggressive approach to protect your rights.
When assessing any custody or visitation dispute, the court will always make a determination based on the best interests of the child. It is important to work with an attorney who can properly investigate the facts of your case and articulate your needs as they are compatible with those of a child. Our legal team will work with experts, review similar cases, consult with witnesses, and strategically build a compelling case on your behalf.
We are aggressive without pursuing unnecessary litigation. Our attorneys know how to pursue your case out of court, emphasizing problem-solving, and long-term solutions over litigation. With extensive experience working with Lake County courts, our attorneys encourage a cooperative parenting model, a local trend towards equalizing parenting time. We are also experienced in helping clients negotiate traditional custody and visitation arrangements. In every case, we seek to create practical arrangements that are good for children, flexible for parents, and that prevent hardship or resentment on either side.
If you are the non-custodial parent, we work to maximize the time you have with your child. We will also determine whether you qualify for “visitation credit,” an allowance that reduces child support based on the number of overnights. We can also help you to defend against visitation credit if you are a custodial parent who believes that the non-custodial parent is motivated by money.
After a final order is made, you may be able to seek a modification for a significant change in circumstances. A modification may be ordered based on the wishes of the child, age of the child, or the relationship with a child. A modification of custody or visitation could also be based on: