Every state has their own unique statutes that address child custody. However, Illinois parents might be interested to learn that most child custody statues are written with the same goal, which is to further the best interests of the child. Courts around the country use similar factors in determining what is in a child's best interest. The gender of a parent is rarely, if ever, a factor in child custody orders.
Factors that determine child support in Illinois
When determining child support in Illinois, the best interest of the child is the court's top priority. Factors that are considered when creating a support order include the financial resources and needs of the child and the custodial parent. The physical and emotional needs of the child will also be considered when making a support order. Finally, the financial circumstances of the non-custodial parent will be also taken into consideration.
Protecting fathers' rights in Illinois
In Illinois, a putative father is a man who believes that he has fathered a child but who was not married to the child's mother when it was born. To preserve his parental rights in this situation, a man who believes that he is the legal father of a child must first register with the Illinois Putative Father Registry. This must be done within 30 days of the child's birth and may be done prior to the child being born.
Illinois statute guides judges in setting support payments
The determination of the amount of child support depends, in Illinois, on the number of children involved and the income of the parent. Payment amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis, largely at the discretion of the judge. Typically, though, judges look to the statutory guidelines.
