Legal Question in Family Law in Illinois

Re: Parental Rights

Unfortunately the playing off of the custodial parent against the non-custodial parent happens all too frequently.

The easiest and most straight-forward thing to address is visitation, your husband like any non-custodial parent has "reasonable" visitation rights...that's the word that the statute uses. Visitation schedules vary greatly but sort of the typical schedule would involve alternate weekends with 1-2 week nigths and additional splitting of holidays and longer break periods. The only time visitation can/should be restricted is when there's a finding of "serious endangerment" to the children. This is extremely severe like child molesting or violent felons.

The step-parent abuse is obviously also concerning. A change of custody would normally be appropriate but since the father hasn't seen the son in so long I doubt a court would just change custody like that. Perhaps a call to the Dept. of Children and Family Services would be appropriate...they can investigate the alleged abuse.