Joint Custody

Joint Custody

___Termination
   Even where the joint custody arrangement is terminated by agreement there is no justification for ignoring the bond which has developed between the child and the primary physical custodian, whether the case is decided under the presumption favoring the present custodian of 750 ILCS 5/610 or as an initial award f custody based on the best interest of the child under this section.  In re Wycoff

Judge’s Statement
   It was not reversible error for the trial court to state her belief that it was desirable to keep the children together as a reason for granting custody of both children to petitioner.  In re Ford

Knowledge of Child
   The best interests of the child may necessitate removing the child from a potentially harmful environment irrespective of the child’s state of knowledge; a trial court need not refrain from modifying custody until children have suffered actual tangible harm.  In re Williams

Legislative Intent
   The intent of the legislature to prefer custodial arrangements which maximize the involvement of both parents in the welfare of the child is manifested in subsection (c)of this section.  In re Burke
   Although there is a legislative presumption in favor of the present custodian and against modification, the purpose of the presumption is to promote the stability and continuity of the child’s custodial and environmental relationship.  Shoff v. Shoff

Living Arrangement
   Father’s living arrangement, where he lived with an unmarried adult female, was one factor among many in the court’s custody decision.  In re Hanson
   Where the plaintiff had no adequate accommodations for the child, and the defendant, who was the mother of the minor lived with her second husband, had satisfactory accommodations for the minor, there could be no question but that the child’s interests would be better served if she was cared for her mother.  Lucado v. Lucado

Mature Children
   Preference of mature children should be given considerable weight, when they are based on sound reasoning.  In re McCune

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