Parenting Plans in Palatine, Illinois

When a couple considers divorce, one of the many questions raised is, "Where will our children live?"

Many parents end up sharing child custody, so former spouses will need to work together to raise their children. The law requires children's best interests to be considered at every stage of divorce. Too often, divorcing parents let their frustrations and bitterness take the focus away from those best interests. As such, Illinois requires divorcing parents to complete a parenting plan called a Parenting Agreement. Illinois parenting plans benefit both the parents and the children as the family goes through the divorce.

What Is a Parenting Plan in Illinois?

A parenting plan is an agreement between divorcing parents that dictates children's living arrangements. Parenting plans help parents clarify child-rearing decisions after they have separated. These plans also clarify any confusion about living arrangements or parenting decisions to avoid future conflicts. Standard topics that can be included in the plan are:

• Parenting time, with a detailed schedule stating when children will be in the care of each parent and how vacations and holidays will be divided between parents
• Arrangements for transportation of children
• Decision-making rights and responsibilities related to issues such as education, medical care, and children's activities
• Child support obligations for both parents, including decisions about how to divide children's expenses
• Relocations to a different city, state, or country
• Contact with other family members or parents' new significant others

What Does an Illinois Parenting Plan Cover?

A parenting plan may include statements about the following:

• Each parent's authority, rights, and responsibilities
• Whether one parent or both are responsible for educational, non-emergency medical, religious, and other important decisions
• If both parents are responsible, who is the "final decision maker" when they disagree about an important decision
• Sharing information and records related to children (medical, education, appointments)
• How the parenting plan can be modified
• How the parents will resolve any disagreements about their parenting decisions
• How often the parenting plan will be reviewed to make sure each parent and the children are adjusting well

Contact an Arlington Heights Parenting Plan Attorney Today

Like any other family law issue, parenting plans can be complicated and difficult to craft. Divorcing parents are in a complete transition, and their children are too. To ensure that the children's best interests are kept top of mind during this time, call an experienced Illinois family lawyer.

Attorney Nicholas W. Richardson has more than 15 years of experience helping clients in Cook County, DuPage County, McHenry County, Kane County, and cities all across Chicago's Northwest Suburbs. Attorney Richardson helps you through the process of negotiating a parenting plan, and he will advocate for your children's best interests. Contact our office today for your free initial consultation.