Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois
notifying father of civil proceedings
I have sole custody of my 15-1/2 year old son. He was recently arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. He has a court date coming up but does not want his father present. Am I obligated to inform the father of the court date before? I am planning on telling him the results afterwards. There is nothing in my original or modified judgment order which states anything about civil proceedings� only about school meetings/activities and medical appointments.
I also have no income, since I just graduated with a teaching degree (I have not worked in 7 months and have had no unemployment).
Thank you in advance for your assistance. I understand any answer is not legally binding, I really only want advice (suggestion for proceeding).
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: notifying father of civil proceedings
The juvenile court will require that the father be notified. The judge will want both of you before him. It's best that he be notified by you so he can be in court to support his son. The judge will take that into consideration when sentencing your son, if it comes to that. Judges are impressed by parental support. Besides, if you don't notify him to be in court, it will prolong the proceedings while the court tries to find the father.
Re: notifying father of civil proceedings
I recommend not hiding things from the other parent, as he is also the kid's parent. After all, it sounds like this kid needs some more parental supervision (or a swift kick in the butt).
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