Chicago Parenting Plan Lawyer

Chicago Family Law Attorney for Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities in Cook County

As a divorcing parent, you may be aware of the importance of reaching an agreement with your spouse for the allocation of parenting time and parental responsibilities. However, effective co-parenting requires close attention to many other details both large and small. For this reason, Illinois courts require parents to create a comprehensive parenting plan during the divorce process.

Creating a parenting plan is in many ways a personal matter, but an experienced attorney can help you make a plan that protects your own interests as well as your children's interests. At The Law Offices of George J. Skuros, we have served families in the Chicago area for over 30 years, and we use our knowledge and experience to educate our clients on the issues in their case and provide the best possible representation.

What Should My Illinois Parenting Plan Include?

The two most important components of a parenting plan are the allocation of parental decision-making responsibilities and the parenting time schedule. The allocation of parental responsibilities should address how both parents will be involved in significant decisions related to your children's health, education, extracurricular activities, and religion. The parenting time schedule should include the percentage of time that the children will live with each parent, as well as the days or weeks during which the children will stay in each parent's home.

In addition to parenting time and responsibilities, Illinois law requires a parenting plan to address a number of other details, including:

• A plan for the children's transportation between homes
• Guidelines for appropriate communication between a parent and the children during the other parent's scheduled parenting time
• Designation of the children's custodial parent and residential address for the purposes of school enrollment
• Home and work address and phone information for each parent
• Provisions for each parent's access to the children's important records for school, health care, and child care
• Requirements for notifying the other parent about travel, health care and emergencies, changes of address, and other important matters affecting the children
• Possible provisions for the right of first refusal when a parent needs child care when they are scheduled to have parenting time
• A plan for handling a parent's future relocation and other modifications to parenting time and parental responsibilities

You can also choose to include other provisions depending on your personal situation to better facilitate effective co-parenting and provide for your children's best interests.

Filing a Parenting Plan

Illinois courts allow parents 120 days to file a parenting plan after a petition is filed for the allocation of parental responsibilities, including in a divorce or after a judgment of legal paternity. When possible, negotiating a parenting plan with the other parent is often the best approach to account for your family's unique needs and allow for a more efficient resolution. During the negotiation process, consulting with an attorney can help you ensure that your interests are protected.

If you cannot reach an agreement within 120 days, you will need to file your own parenting plan, and the other parent will also be expected to file a plan. In this case, the judge will consider both proposed plans, and both parents may be ordered to appear for a court hearing to determine a plan that serves the best interests of the children. Your attorney can represent you during the hearing to help you defend your proposed plan.

Contact a Des Plaines Child Custody Attorney

We can help you negotiate a parenting plan that meets your needs, as well as protect your parental rights and your children's interests throughout the process of allocating parental responsibilities. For a free consultation, contact us today at 312-884-1222. We represent parents in Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Inverness, Park Ridge, and throughout Cook County and the Chicago area.