WILL COUNTY PARENTING TIME LAWYERS

Attorneys Handling Child Custody and Visitation Disputes in Joliet and Plainfield

When parents divorce, one of the biggest points of contention can be the allocation of parenting time. In some cases, one parent may want a near-equal division of parenting time, an approach previously called joint physical custody but now called shared parenting time. In other cases, one parent may want to limit the other's parenting time to just a few days per month. Transportation of children between parents' homes, changing school districts, vacation plans, and holiday sharing can also be points of disagreement.

At the law offices of Reeder & Brown, P.C., we understand that the prospect of not seeing your children on a daily basis can be distressing. Adjusting to new routines can be stressful for everyone. It can be helpful to remember that, in the vast majority of cases, children benefit from having a close relationship with both of their parents. While you may not always have physical care of your children, you can create a parenting time plan that provides for sufficient contact with your children through phone calls, instant messaging, video calling, or other methods.

We have over 30 years' combined experience negotiating parenting time schedules for families in a variety of circumstances. Depending on your unique needs, we will help you thoughtfully craft a solution that addresses both parents' needs and provides the best outcome for your children.

Illinois Laws on Parenting Time

At Reeder & Brown, P.C., our goal is to help you build a parenting time schedule that will work well for you over the long haul. When changes are needed to accommodate new work, school, or activity schedules, we can help you with court order modification, enforcement, and relocation issues.

Factors to consider in the allocation of parenting time. Most of the same factors that are considered when making decisions about the allocation of parental responsibilities will apply in matters related to parenting time. As we work with you to negotiate a parenting plan, we will discuss these factors, ensure that you understand your rights, advise you on the best ways to achieve your goals, and ensure that you will spend sufficient time with your children.

Shared parenting time. If you choose a shared parenting time schedule, wherein each parent has the children for at least 146 overnights annually (40% of the year), this will substantially alter the amount of child support that one parent pays to another. To better understand how child support will be calculated in these situations, consider the following example:

• Suppose the basic support obligation per month is $2,173 and the children will spend 40% of their time with the father and 60% with the mother.
• In shared parenting time situations, the basic support obligation is multiplied by a factor of 1.5 to account for the increased expenses involved in maintaining two complete homes for the children and frequent back-and-forth transportation. The total support obligation is now $3,260.
• Assuming the father's net income is 75% of the parents' combined net income, he would be responsible for ($3,260 x .75) = $2,445 of the basic child support obligation. The mother would be responsible for ($3,260 x .25) = $815.
  
• The father's obligation is adjusted by the proportion of time the mother has the children: ($2,445 x 0.60) = $1,467. The mother's obligation is adjusted by the percentage of time the father has the children: ($815 x 0.40) = $326.
• The two amounts are offset, with the parent with the higher amount paying the difference to the other parent. In this case, the father pays the difference between the two amounts to the mother: ($1,467 – $326) = $1,141.

Contact Our Joliet Parenting Time Lawyers

The experienced family law attorneys of Reeder & Brown, P.C. work with clients throughout Will County to address issues related to parenting time, child custody, child support, and more. We serve clients in Lockport, Bolingbrook, Joliet, Crest Hill, Shorewood, and Plainfield. Contact us today by calling 815-885-5980 to schedule your free, confidential consultation.