Parenting Time and Decision-Making Legal Tools, Psychological Insights, and the Roles of GALs, Court Representatives, and Effective 604.10 Evaluations

Erin M. Wilson | The Law Office of Erin M. Wilson LLC

Erin M. Wilson founded the firm in 2019, after practicing for 10 years at a preeminent family law firm where she was a partner. Erin focuses exclusively on family law cases, which include divorce, custody/parenting issues (now known as allocation of decision-making and parenting time), child support and maintenance, domestic violence and prenuptial agreements. Known as a trusted advisor and skilled advocate, Erin prides herself on successfully tackling tough parenting disputes and complex financial cases.

While she believes in and strives toward an amicable and fair settlement out-of-court, Erin has extensive trial experience with a reputation for being kind when appropriate, and aggressive when necessary. She makes every effort to achieve an amicable and fair settlement out-of-court through creative approaches and skillful advocacy.

Erin is trained in mediation and collaborative law. She counsels clients through the mediation process so they can make informed decisions while maintaining control of the outcome. In an effort to keep parties out of court post judgment, Erin offers parenting coordination services to facilitate communication and resolve conflict, all while being mindful of emotions with a focus on the children’s best interests.

Clients of diverse backgrounds, from teachers and police officers to corporate executives and stay-at-home parents, rely upon Erin to advocate for their interests. Erin’s experience enables her to brainstorm, negotiate, persuade, and facilitate solutions in her client’s best interests. With a hands-on approach and a no nonsense demeanor, Erin gives honest, personalized advice, sets reasonable expectations, and provides successful solutions to your goals.

Dr. Rob Siegel | Cook and Lake County

Dr. Siegel is a clinical and forensic psychologist who practices in Cook and Lake County. He is a past president for the Illinois Chapter for the Association of Family Conciliation Courts. He is a family evaluator for the courts who conducts both 215a evaluations and 604.10(b) evaluation. He also has a clinical practice where he provides co-parenting counseling, parent coaching, reunification therapy, and general therapy with adolescents and adults. He has an extensive background working with families and youth across a continuum of care including intensive outpatient programs, residential care, juvenile detention, inpatient hospitals, and foster care. He was a consulting psychologist for DCFS for seven years and was on medical staff at Chicago Lakeshore hospital for five years. He specializes in working with youth and family who have endured various trauma and abuse including domestic violence and sexual abuse.

I. Brief guide to parenting time/decision making | 2:00pm – 2:20pm

• When parties do not agree there are tools that the court may use to help them make informed rulings on these parenting issues
• Mediation: What is it & how is it different from Appointment of Guardian ad Litem or Court Representative
• Statute on decision-maker & parenting time

II. What is Guardian ad Litem v Court Representative | 2:20pm – 2:40pm

• Statute 750 ILCS 5/506
• When are they appointed?
• How are they appointed?
• Why are they appointed?
• The investigation
  • Who do/can they talk to?
    1. Releases
  • What documents can they ask for/access?
  • Home visits
  • Collaterals
    1. Different collateral sources
• Guardian ad Litem report
  • What’s in it?
  • When are they given?
• Court Representative Memo
  • Role in court/hearings – compare/contrast of Guardian ad Litem or Court Representative

III. Comparison chart | 2:40pm – 3:00pm

Break | 3:00pm – 3:10pm

IV. Pros v cons of each | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

V. A note on attorney’s for the child | 3:20pm – 3:40pm

• Statute 750 ILCS 5/506(a)(1)
• When are they appointed?
• What can they do?

VI. Cost allocation for Guardian ad Litem or Court Representative | 3:40pm – 3:50pm

• Reallocation

VII. 604.10 evaluators | 3:50pm – 4:10pm

• Statute 750 ILCS 5/604.10
• When/How are they appointed?
  • Cost allocation
• What does their investigation consist of?
• Home observations
• Child interviews
• What are the components of their report?
• 604.10(b) evaluator in court proceedings (testimony as a witness, etc.)