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The Most Important Parts of a Parenting Plan in Illinois
In a divorce with children, parents in Illinois are tasked with coming up with a parenting plan that addresses all child-care related matters. A parenting plan is a legal document that specifies a child’s living arrangements after a divorce, as well as what areas of the child’s life each parent will govern. In a majority of cases, the courts prefer that co-parents work together on a resolution to foster a healthy environment for the child.
Deciding how to delegate these responsibilities may put an emotional strain on you and your spouse, but a St. Charles, IL family law attorney can help to smooth over any conflicts and make sure that the child’s best interests are represented in the parenting plan. Attorney Matt Shaw has decades of experience in family law, and his excellence in the field has resulted in a superb 10.0 rating on Avvo.
Parenting Time
In Illinois, physical custody of the child is referred to as parenting time. There are many considerations when deciding how parenting time will be divided, but ultimately, the courts will make a final decision based on the child’s best interests.
Regardless of the court’s input, no one knows your child better than you and your co-parent. As such, you should work together to determine the best arrangement for parenting time. Not every schedule has to be a 50/50 split. Depending on how far apart you and your co-parent live, you might consider allocating more time over summer vacations, or regular visitation during the week.
Parental Responsibilities
Parental responsibilities is the new term for legal custody in Illinois, which gives a parent authority to make decisions for a child. In general, the courts prefer that both parents have a say in making these decisions, rather than granting one parent full control. The most pertinent issues covered in parental responsibilities include:
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Education. This entails choosing where the child will go to school, as well as making arrangements for transportation to and from school. This may also include decisions about seeking a private tutor.
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Health. This entails making arrangements for the child’s medical, dental, and psychological care.
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Extracurricular activities. This entails dictating the child’s involvement in sports or clubs.
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Religion. This entails making decisions about the child’s upbringing in a particular faith, respecting any express or implied agreements between the parents.
It goes without saying that these are all incredibly important choices for raising your child. If you and your co-parent cannot come to an agreement, you should consider mediation to resolve these issues with an unbiased third party.
Meet With a Kane County, IL Family Law Attorney
A parenting plan should be drafted with thorough consideration for your child or children’s best interests. A St. Charles, IL family law attorney can help you create a comprehensive parenting plan that holds up in the eyes of the law, minimizing the stress and intensive litigation that can come with a divorce involving children. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer at Shaw Sanders, P.C., call our offices at 630-584-5550 today.
630-584-5550