Components of an Illinois Parenting Plan

In Illinois, parenting plans are legally required documents in cases involving the allocation of parental responsibility and parenting time in a child custody matter. These documents outline how separating or divorcing parents will share decision making and time with their child that prioritizes the child’s best interests.

The goal of Components of an Illinois Parenting Plan:

• Allocation of parental responsibility/decision making authority for the child – Either parents will decide on major decisions (school, medical, religion) jointly, divide responsibilities; or one parent will have sole repsonsibltiy for makiing decisions for the child

• Parenting time schedule – parents will include a regular weekly calendar and specifics regarding drop off/pick up and transportation; decisions will be make for sharing holiday, school breaks and special days (annual alternating or splits)

• First right to first refusal – if a parent is not avaialble during their scheduled time with the child, the other parent is given first dibs to care for child before a sitter, daycare, or other family member steps in

• Medical, school, extracurricular provisions – a parenting plan will designate which parent will carry medical insurance for the child and how uninsured or copays will be met; a clause that both parents get full access to school and medical records; that costly activities will be decided jointly

• Relocation rules – parents may decide to relocate after the divorce so it is important to address notification and objection rules in the parenting plan

• Child support – parents will address how miscellaneous expenses outside of the standard child support calculation will be shared such as child care or other expenses

• Safety provisions –  For parents who are concerned about their child’s safety or wellbeing when under the other parents care,  they may include provisions for no alcohol or drug use during parenting time; no firearms; no extended or distant travel without notification/approval by other parent

• Conflict resolution – parents should include how they will resolve future disputes such as direct communication, mediation, or filing a motion with the court

• Modification of agreement – include what actions will trigger a review and possible modification to the agreement such as new marriage, new child, increase or decrease in in income, relocation, or the child’s changing needs

Get a Comprehensive Illinois Parenting Plan Agreement

It is important to work with an experienced Illinois child custody lawyer to draft a comprehensive parenting agreement. Contact family law attorney, Ronald L Bell, for help today.