News & Updates from
The Child and Family Law Center
January, 2016
Every Student Succeeds Act

In early December of 2015, Congress, in a bi-partisan vote, replaced the No Child Left Behind Act with the new law, Every Child Succeeds Act (ESSA), which is the latest reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

The following is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the provisions in the new law but provides a summary of key elements that may impact our clients:

The New Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act:
Effective January 1, 2016

There are several sweeping changes that impact families in the process of divorce that will significantly change the language and the process itself.
Custody: The new law eliminates the terms joint or legal custody, residential custody, and visitation and instead uses terms such as "parental responsibility" and "parenting time". The hope is that the language will reduce or eliminate the concept that in these disputes there are winners and losers. The courts will still utilize the best interest of the child standard in making decisions in these cases.
Alert: The issues of residency and educational decision making may be impacted by this change of statute.
College Expenses: The new law limits parents' obligations to pay post-high school educational expenses so that the maximum amount a party could be ordered to contribute is set at the cost of in-state attendance at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, not including medical and living expenses.
Progress: How much is enough?

Parents are often surprised to learn that the
 school district's obligation to a student with a disability is not to maximize the student's potential. This is one of the central questions in most cases in our offices. What parent would say they want only the basic education for their child and a little progress is good enough? That is the inherent tension between parents and schools districts in special education. 


Upcoming Free Webinars:

Evaluations: Identifying the Problem is the Most Important Step in Developing an IEP and Getting Services

Presented by Ruth Kraus, PhD and Micki Moran, JD

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 
6:30-7:15 pm 

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Preparing for Your Annual Review: Strategies and Legal Tips for Parents

Presented by Micki Moran, JD

Wednesday, February 24, 2016
6:30-7:00 pm

About Us

Founded by Micki Moran, in 1995, 
The Child & Family Law Center is a unique legal practice that specializes in providing services to families and children in the areas of Special Education, IEP Consultation, Guardianship, Juvenile Law, Criminal Law, Mental Health Law, DCFS, Divorce and Parental Responsibility, Parenting Agreements, and Mediation.

We provide representation in Cook, Lake, McHenry, DuPage, Kane and Will Counties.

Please call our office to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys in Highland Park and Lisle, IL.

Micki Moran 
The Child & Family Law Center of the North Shore, Ltd. 
1950 Sheridan Road, Suite 201
Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: 847-926-0101, Fax: 847-926-8500

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