How to Create a Solid Illinois Parenting Plan

 Posted on March 26, 2019 in Child Custody

Some of the most highly contested issues in Illinois divorce cases are those involving children. Both parents are entitled to certain rights when it comes to their children, and this includes both mothers and fathers. Most child-centered issues resulting from a divorce must be accounted for in a parenting plan. 

A parenting plan is a document that outlines and allocates both significant decision-making responsibilities and decision-making responsibilities. A parenting plan can come in handy when issues arise after the divorce is finalized. As part of a divorce decree, this document is enforceable by the court, and parents are required to follow the plan unless it is modified at a later date.

Elements of a Parenting Plan

During a divorce case, Illinois courts require that both parents submit a parenting plan to the court, either separately or jointly. If you and your spouse are unable to come to an agreement on your own, the court will likely order you to attend mediation to help you formulate a parenting plan. If that still does not work, parenting time and decision-making responsibilities will be allocated based on what the judge determines to be in children’s best interests. 

At a minimum, an Illinois parenting plan must include:

• How significant decision-making responsibilities are allocated;
• Provisions about the child’s living arrangements and for each parent’s parenting time;
• How changes to the parenting plan will be handled;
• Each parent’s right to access the child’s medical, dental, and psychological records and school and child care records, report cards, and schedules;
• The child’s residential address for school enrollment purposes;
• Each parent’s residential and workplace address and phone number;
• Requirements that each parent notify the other parent of emergencies, health care concerns, travel plans, or other child-related issues;
• Provisions for future parental relocations;
• Provisions for the exercise of the right of first refusal (in which parents may choose to give each other the option to care for children if they are unable to do so during their own scheduled parenting time); and
• Any other issue that the court deems necessary.

A New Lenox, IL Parenting Plan Attorney Can Help

With a divorce comes a long list of issues that you have to worry about. Your parenting plan does not have to be one of them. At Wakenight & Associates, P.C., we have over 95 years of combined experience helping families settle child issues during divorce cases. Having a solid parenting plan in place relieves some of the stress of co-parenting and allows your family to thrive after a divorce. Let our skilled Mokena divorce lawyers help you come to an agreement with your soon-to-be ex about parenting time and decision-making responsibilities. To schedule a free consultation, call our office today at 815-727-6144.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59