Creating an Illinois Parenting Plan That Works for Everyone

 Posted on October 17, 2019 in Divorce

Getting a divorce is an upheaval of your entire life as you know it. Your living arrangements, your financial situation, and even the people who are present in your life may all change. If you have children, you also have to consider how all of these changes will affect them and how you will work to ensure they have as stable of an environment as possible. During your divorce, you will also have to come up with a plan as to how you and your ex-spouse will raise your children together, even though you are no longer a couple. All of this information will be contained in a parenting plan, which will be your “parenting manual” once your divorce is final.

What Is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a written agreement that is part of a divorce decree. The parenting plan will contain information about how parenting time is allocated and how parental responsibilities are handled. Within 120 days of filing a petition for allocation of parental responsibilities during divorce, you must also submit a parenting plan either together with your ex-spouse or separately. If you and your ex-spouse do not agree on a parenting plan, the judge in your divorce case can order you both to attend mediation, where you will work together to come up with a plan that you can both agree on. If you are unable to reach an agreement, the judge will make decisions for you about how these matters will be handled.

Contents of a Parenting Plan

There are certain things that all parenting plans are required to include in order for the plan to be complete. According to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, required items in a parenting plan include:

• How parenting time is allocated and a schedule of such parenting time

• When parenting time exchanges will take place

• Which parent the child will spend different holidays and school breaks with

• The authority each parent will have when making decisions pertaining to the child’s health, religion, education, and extracurricular activities

• How a relocation of either of the parents would be handled

• How the right of first refusal is to be handled

• How disagreements between the parents will be resolved

There are also certain things that are not legally required to be in a parenting plan, though it can be helpful if you decide to include them. These can include:

• Any rules that should be enforced at both parents’ homes

• Any routines that you want your child to follow at both homes, such as bedtimes or certain chores that should be completed

• Rules agreed upon by both parents about future romantic partners, such as when a new partner will be permitted to meet the child

• Any other issue that pertains to your family that should be addressed

Contact a Will County Parenting Plan Attorney for Help

Child-related issues can lead to some of the most difficult changes you may face during your divorce. Having a parenting plan that specifically outlines the rules you should follow after the divorce can greatly help decrease some of the confusion and conflict that might occur. At Wakenight & Associates, P.C., we understand how important it is that you have a comprehensive parenting plan after your divorce is said and done. Our skilled Mokena, IL child custody attorneys can help you make sure your parenting plan meets the needs of your family. Call us today at 815-727-6144 to schedule a free consultation.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=8300000&SeqEnd=10000000