Do Not Forget These Items in Your Illinois Parenting Plan

 Posted on December 24, 2018 in Family Law

One of the most important things you must come to an agreement about when you get a divorce is how your children will split their time between you and the child’s other parent. In the state of Illinois, all divorcing couples who have children together must come to an agreement on their own about a parenting plan, attend a mediation session to help them come to an agreement or have the judge make decisions about the parenting plan if you and your spouse cannot come to one any other way. A parenting plan will set out the future of your co-parenting relationship and while it is not set in stone, you should aim to include all of the necessary items in your plan the first time around.

Holidays and Other Special Dates

Though the basis of your parenting plan will be dictating when each parent spends time with the child, you should make sure that plan includes different holidays and other special dates that might be fought over. Be sure to include all holidays that you may want to spend time with your child -- not just the major ones. Christmas and Thanksgiving are highly-contested holidays, but if you also want to make sure you get an equal amount of time on holidays like Easter and Valentine’s Day, be sure to write that into your parenting plan.

Travel and Vacations

If you and your spouse know that you each will be going on planned vacations, you should be sure to include provisions about that in your parenting plan. Vacations can disrupt the normal parenting schedule, so you should agree in advance how much time you need to plan the vacations prior to leaving.

Scheduling Changes

In the event that you need to deviate from the normal parenting schedule, you and your spouse should include a section that goes over how that decision must be made. How much time in advance do you need to give each other before you can make changes to the schedule? You and your spouse should agree on procedures now so you do not have arguments in the future.

A DuPage County Parenting Plan Lawyer Can Help You Craft an Ideal Plan

While there are plenty of things that need to be decided before you can finalize your divorce, one of the things that should be high on your list is the parenting plan. This plan will set the framework for the co-parenting relationship you will have with your spouse. At the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio, we understand that your children are at the top of your list of concerns when it comes to your divorce. Our trained Hinsdale, IL parenting plan attorneys can help you create an agreement that will work for your family. Call our office today at 630-920-8855 to set up a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/blog/checklist-writing-parenting-plan

http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Forms/approved/divorce/Divorce_with_Children_Parenting_Plan.pdf

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=8300000&SeqEnd=10000000