4 Issues to Address in Your Illinois Parenting Plan

 Posted on December 03, 2019 in Children of divorce

Getting a divorce can be a daunting task. There are many issues that you must address before you can finalize your divorce, and it can become even more complicated if you have minor children. Divorcing with kids can be overwhelming because of the emotional toll it takes on the entire family. One of the most important issues to resolve is how your children will be cared for after the marriage ends. In Illinois, a parenting plan is required by all couples who file for divorce and have minor children.

Parental Responsibilities in an Illinois Parenting Plan

Before your divorce can be finalized, Illinois law requires that you and your spouse have an agreed-upon parenting plan filed with the court. The parenting plan is a written agreement of how you and your ex-spouse will raise your children now that you are divorced. This legal document contains information about how parenting time will be split between the two of you, but also how parental responsibilities will be handled. At a minimum, Illinois parenting plans should address the following when it comes to allocating decision-making responsibilities:

1. Education: This portion of the parenting plan will discuss how decisions regarding the children’s education will be made. This can include a determination on how the kids will be schooled, how tutors will be chosen, and which parent (if not both) has the power to make those decisions.

2. Medical Care: You will also need to determine how decisions will be made regarding your children’s health care. Throughout your children’s lives, there will need to be decisions made for their medical care, dental care, and psychological needs. You must determine how each of these things will be handled and whether both parents or just one parent has the power to make decisions regarding these areas and the treatments that may be necessary.

3. Religion: Religion can be a tricky subject, especially if the parents do not have the same religious beliefs. You and your spouse are highly encouraged to come to an agreement on your own about your children’s religious upbringing after the divorce. If the court must intervene, the judge will attempt to make a decision based on previous conduct concerning the children’s religious upbringing.

4. Extracurricular Activities: You will also need to determine how decisions will be made as to the type of extracurricular activities your children will be involved in. For many kids, extracurricular activities play a large part in not only the children’s lives but the whole family’s life. Extracurricular activities can include sports, music lessons, dance troupes, theater, or any other pursuits.

Contact an Aurora Parenting Plan Attorney

Even though Illinois law only states that you must include the four areas in your parenting plan when it comes to decision-making responsibilities, there are many more issues that should be addressed. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we understand the importance of the role that a parenting plan plays not only in your divorce but for the rest of your children’s time as minors. Our skilled DuPage County divorce lawyers can offer assistance in creating a thorough parenting plan that not only meets state requirements but also works for your family. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at 630-409-8184.

Source:

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