Crafting a Mutually Agreeable Parenting Plan Under Illinois Law

Divorce is a foundation-rupturing event, especially for spouses who have children together. Whole worlds are upended for all involved – parents, children, and even grandparents and friends. Day-to-day life, living arrangements, holiday plans, and so much more are all subject to change in the wake of the dissolution of a marriage. This is especially the case when both spouses move out of what had been the family home or apartment, whether to new residences in the same town or city, or to a new state or even new country.

When the spouses have children, parental responsibility (formerly known as child custody) must be allocated between the parents. In some cases, one spouse is awarded primary parental responsibilities in the areas of healthcare, education, religion, and extracurricular activities. In most cases, however, parental responsibility is shared between the parents.

As you are surely already aware if you divorced, separated, or even considering a divorce or separation, working out an agreement for the allocation of parental responsibilities can be a complex matter, and in some instances, it can be an unfortunately contentious process. Here, a court approved parenting plan is a must. With so much already on your plate in terms of adjusting to life changes caused by a divorce, an experienced divorce and family law attorney is a valuable resource who can help craft a parenting plan that is compliant with the requirements of Illinois law.

Obtaining Approval for Parenting Time and Visitation Arrangements

The law that governs parenting agreements in Illinois is the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. In Part VI of the Act, the official legal criteria for a Joint Parenting Agreement is made clear. For example, when one parent has been awarded parental responsibilities, the non-custodial parent still retains certain rights to parenting time (formerly known as visitation). These rights are exercised under the implementation of the Joint Parenting Agreement’s parenting time schedule.

A parenting plan will specify a residential schedule for both weekday and weekend parenting time, a schedule for holidays and special occasions, a summer break schedule for when the school year is not in session, and each parent’s allotted vacation time with the child. When an agreement has been reached for a parenting plan, it will be submitted to the court, and once it is approved, it will be entered as part of the final divorce decree.

An Attorney Who Understands Every Detail of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act

When you are working to reach an agreement on a parenting plan, you need an experienced attorney who understands every aspect of drafting an effective Joint Parenting Agreement as required under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. The skilled attorneys at The Law Offices of Nancy Kasko, LLC can help you create an agreement that meets your family’s needs, and we can protect your rights and advocate for your interests in court. Contact a DuPage County divorce lawyer today at 630-836-8540 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59