What Should Be Included in My Illinois Parenting Plan?

 Posted on December 00,0000 in DuPage County divorce lawyer

Change can be hard for anyone, but it can be especially difficult for children. When it comes to divorce, children will typically experience a lot of change in a short period of time. Their living arrangements will change dramatically, they will not be spending as much time with either parent anymore, and in some situations, they may even have to adapt to new routines. All of this change can be hard on children, because they depend on stability and routine so much. This is a known fact, which is why the state of Illinois requires every divorcing couple who has children to create a parenting plan before they can finalize their divorce.

What Is a Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a legal agreement that contains information about how two parents will take care of their children once they are separated. In Illinois, a parenting plan will contain information about how parenting time is divided, along with how parental responsibilities are allocated. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) contains the basic elements that all parenting plans must include in order to be approved.

Elements of a Parenting Plan

The courts encourage spouses to come to an agreement on the parenting plan. Most of the time, if couples agree on the parenting plan, they are more likely to be satisfied with the contents of the plan and actually follow the agreement. If they cannot agree, they must submit their own parenting plans to the court, and a judge will make the final determinations about the parenting plan. At a minimum, every parenting plan should contain the following:

• How significant decision-making responsibilities will be allocated

• How parenting time will be divided and a proposed schedule of that time

• How future proposed reallocations of parenting time or decision-making responsibilities will be handled

• Each parent’s right to access the child’s medical, dental, and psychological records, plus school and extracurricular activity reports and schedules

• The child’s official address, for school enrollment purposes

• Contact information for each parent, including their address, phone number, and place of employment

• How a parent should notify the other parent if he or she ever intends to relocate

• Requirements for each parent to notify the other of travel plans, health care, emergencies, or any other important child-related issues

• How communication with the other parent will be determined during each parent’s parenting time

• How the right of first refusal will be exercised

• Transportation arrangements between the parents

• Any other child-related issue that the judge or parents deem to be significant

Contact an Aurora Divorce Attorney

Child-related issues are always among some of the most disputed topics in a divorce. If you and your spouse are getting a divorce, what you think is best for your children is not always what your spouse thinks is best. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., our skilled DuPage County parenting plan lawyers have handled many types of divorce cases. We have the experience to create a parenting plan that works for both you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse and is in the best interests of your children. Call our office today at 630-409-8184 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+VI&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=8350000&SeqEnd=10200000