What is Included in an Illinois Parenting Plan?
Divorced parents and unmarried parents who split up may use a parenting plan or parenting agreement to describe each parents' rights and responsibilities. The instructions contained in a parenting plan specifically outline the terms of the agreement between two parents. These instructions become a legally-binding agreement that both parents must abide by, and any violation of the parenting plan may result in legal consequences.
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
In an Illinois parenting plan, the parents will describe how major decisions about the child will be handled. Will one parent make all of the decisions about the child's upbringing or will the parents share decision-making responsibilities? Illinois law specifically asks parents to describe how decisions about the following key issues will be handled:
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The child's education
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The child's healthcare
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The child's religious upbringing
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Extracurricular activities in which the child will participate
Parenting Time and Visitation Schedules
The parenting plan will also include a detailed description of how much time the child spends with each parent. This will include the days and times of visitation, as well as any holidays or school breaks that each parent will spend with the child. It is best to be as detailed as possible when building the parenting time schedule. The more detailed the schedule, the easier it will be for both parents to comply with the terms of the agreement and avoid miscommunications and conflict.
Future Modifications to the Parenting Plan
The parenting plan should also include information about how the terms of the agreement can be changed in the future. This section will help parents avoid any costly court battles in the future if either parent wishes to modify the parenting plan. The agreement should clearly outline when modifications can be made and how they must be proposed, discussed, and ultimately decided. The parenting plan should also describe how the parents will handle parental relocations if a parent wishes to move to a new residence with the child.
Specific Provisions
Finally, the parenting plan should include any other provisions that are necessary to ensure that both parents are able to adequately care for the child. Examples of provisions may include rules about overnight guests, transportation arrangements, the right of first refusal, and communication between the parents.
Contact our Joliet Child Custody Lawyer
Our skilled Will County family law attorneys can help you negotiate the terms of your parenting plan, enforce the parenting plan if the other parent is not complying, and handle other child custody issues. Call our office today at 815-885-5980 and set up a confidential consultation.
Source:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050K602.10.htm
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