Naperville, IL Mothers' Rights Lawyers

Compassionate Attorneys for Mothers' Rights in Naperville, Illinois

Mothers play an important role in a child's life. However, when a divorce or separation leads to the family splitting up, that parent-child bond could be jeopardized in the custody proceedings. If you have any questions or concerns about your parental rights, a Naperville mothers' rights attorney can provide you with the guidance you need.

At Fay & Farrow, we have decades of legal experience representing parents in difficult family law matters. As highly capable, passionate attorneys, we will review your case in detail and advise you of your best course of action, working hard to preserve your relationship with your child.

Are Mothers Treated Equally in Illinois Custody Decisions?

Mothers often enter custody disputes carrying the weight of long-held assumptions about their role as primary caregivers. They may encounter questions about whether they can balance work and child-rearing, or find themselves proving why their routines and traditions matter. Some judges and opposing counsel still harbor unconscious biases that view a mother's income-earning outside the home as a drawback rather than a sign of stability.

Despite these challenges, Illinois law itself makes no presumption in favor of either mother or father. The statutes and appellate decisions emphasize that decision-making responsibility and parenting time must be awarded based solely on what serves the child's best interests, without regard to gender.

What Do Courts Consider in Custody Disputes?

Under Illinois law, the guiding principle is the best interests of the child. Courts evaluate a range of factors without giving automatic weight to either parent. They examine each parent's ability to provide a stable and nurturing environment, including emotional support, mental and physical health, and willingness to foster the child's relationship with the other parent.

Other considerations include the child's age and developmental needs, any special medical or educational requirements, and the child's own wishes when they are mature enough to express a reasoned preference. The court also looks at the history of each parent's involvement in the child's life—such as participation in school events, extracurricular activities, and daily routines. Finally, evidence of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence carries significant weight; ensuring the child's safety is paramount.

Protecting Your Custody Rights as a Mother

Even after a custody order is entered, circumstances can change. If your co-parent repeatedly infringes on your parenting time or makes unilateral decisions affecting your child, you have legal remedies to enforce the order. Be sure to document each instance of noncompliance, including missed exchanges, denial of visitation, or refusal to communicate, and keep copies of texts, emails, or calendar entries that show the violations.

A helpful first step can be a motion to enforce parenting time. Unlike contempt proceedings, which carry penalties for willful disobedience, a motion to enforce asks the court to affirm the existing schedule and order the non-compliant parent to follow it. The judge may then enter a clearer directive or set a deadline for makeup time without imposing fines or sanctions.

You can file a petition for rule to show cause, asking the court to hold the other parent in contempt. Remedies may include makeup parenting time, court-ordered counseling, or fines. In urgent cases involving safety concerns, you can seek an emergency motion to modify parenting time or request supervised exchanges. A skilled attorney can help you navigate mediation, negotiate adjustments, or pursue enforcement through formal court proceedings, all while keeping your child's best interests front and center.

Contact a Naperville Mothers' Rights Attorney Today

At Fay & Farrow, we understand the challenges mothers face in custody disputes and will work tirelessly to secure a parenting time arrangement that reflects your bond with your child. Call 630-961-0060 or contact our Naperville, IL mothers' rights attorneys today for a free consultation.