3 Things to Include in an Illinois Parenting Plan

 Posted on June 18, 2024 in Family Law

Life after divorce is very different than it is during marriage. For this reason, people who get divorced prepare for post-divorce life in their own ways. Spouses are free to make their own arrangements on issues like alimony or how to divide marital property.

But there is one preparation that Illinois law wants to make sure is done thoroughly, and that is parenting a child after divorce. Parents who file for divorce are therefore required to submit a parenting plan to the court. A parenting plan is a document that explains in detail how you and your spouse plan to parent the child after the marriage ends. It is a legally binding document that must be approved by the court, so it is best drafted by an Illinois parenting plan attorney.

Here are three things to include in an Illinois parenting plan.

Parenting Time

Parenting time is how Illinois law refers to physical custody of the child. One of the most important elements of a parenting plan is details about how the parents will manage parenting time. This includes:

• How parenting time is split during the school year

• How parenting time is split during vacations and holidays

• Transportation arrangements for the child between the households and school

Right of First Refusal

There will likely be times when it is your ex’s turn to have parenting time and an emergency comes up that he or she needs to attend to. This can include, for example, a death in the family that requires your co-parent to travel out of state. In that case, he or she might leave your child in the care of a third party. A right of first refusal means that you have the right to take custody of your child in that situation, and only if you refuse can a third party care for your child. The right of first refusal is an important part of a parenting plan.

Parental Responsibilities

One of the main questions that comes up when preparing for parenthood after divorce is: who will make major decisions for the child? Decision-making about the child is referred to by Illinois law as “parental responsibilities,” and includes:

• Decisions about the child’s health

• Decisions about the child’s education

• Decisions about the child’s religious upbringing

A parenting plan should clearly outline how these parental responsibilities will be divided between the parents.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Parenting Plan Lawyer

A parenting plan is not only required by the court but also sets the tone for how your child will be raised after the divorce. It is important, therefore, to seek an experienced Naperville, IL parenting plan attorney who can draft the right parenting plan for you and your child.

At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, our compassionate and skilled attorneys will place your child’s well-being at the center of your parenting plan while making sure to preserve your parental rights. Call us for a free consultation at 630-932-9100 and start planning for post-divorce parenthood today.