Parenting Plans for High-Commitment Kids in Illinois

 Posted on September 01, 2025 in Family Law

Soccer, travel hockey, elite dance, competitive gymnastics, debate, robotics…the list of extracurricular activities is virtually endless, especially once children start junior high and high school. For parents, getting the children to all these activities can seem like a second job. When your child’s calendar is packed with practices, weekend tournaments, and out-of-state trips, a basic parenting plan is unlikely to hold up under the pressure.

Illinois law provides the tools to build something more comprehensive. Once the court allocates decision-making (including about extracurricular activities) and sets parenting time, the parents are expected to submit a written parenting plan. This plan should address pick-ups and drop-offs, health care, time with each parent, holidays, birthdays, and summer vacations.

It should also address the right of first refusal for last-minute emergencies, and cost-sharing plans for extracurricular activities. Many parents submit a "basic" parenting plan when their children are young, then find that it is inadequate to their pre-teen and teenager’s blossoming schedules. If you need assistance with your Illinois parenting plan, speak to an experienced St. Charles, IL family law attorney.

Illinois Law Has Basic Requirements for Parenting Plans that Can Be Expanded

Decision-Making Authority & Parenting Time Schedules

The written parenting plan must be submitted to the court for approval. It must include how the allocation of parental responsibilities (750 ILCS 5/602.5) was determined, along with parenting time schedules. The court will decide whether one parent or both parents will make significant decisions regarding the child’s education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities, based on the child’s best interests. After determining where the child will spend holidays and birthdays, the focus goes to extracurricular activities.

Extracurricular Activities

If the child is already enrolled in many activities, then the parents may be used to transport the child to games and practices. There are seasonal templates that can be used to make different schedules depending on whether the activity is in-season, off-season, or in tournament weeks. It should be made very clear in the parenting plan when extracurricular activities trump ordinary parenting time, and how these times will be made up.

Transporting a Child Between Homes and to Activities

Transportation needs must be determined, including which parent will drive to weekday practices vs. weekend games, or if this is determined solely by which parent has parenting time. There should always be a backup protocol that takes weather, illness, and traffic into account. There are parenting apps that include a shared calendar, and each parent should update the other weekly with any changes in practices, games, or itineraries.

How Are Extracurricular Activities Managed After a Divorce for a High School Athelete or Other Competitive Activities?

The parenting plan should specify whether one or both parents approve a new high-commitment extracurricular activity, private coaching, and travel. Injury protocols for sports-related activities should also be addressed in the parenting plan. The parenting plan may also detail who will pay for extracurricular activities and whether they will be shared equally between the parents. Here are the basics of the financial side of extracurricular activities:

• Courts may order parents to share "reasonable" extracurricular expenses (club dues, uniforms, instrument rentals, meet fees, etc.) in addition to basic child support.

• Extracurricular orders from the court are separate from the basic child support obligation, not a deviation that requires a special finding.

• Parents typically set a dollar "cap" in the parenting plan that triggers joint pre-approval and submission of receipts within a specific amount of time.

• Short-term travel expenses must be addressed in the parenting plan and may include meals for the child, as well as lodging, depending on the activity.  

Some parenting plans specify something like: "For extracurricular expenses exceeding $200, parents must obtain written joint approval before incurring costs. Approved expenses are to be shared in proportion to incomes and reimbursed within 14 days upon presentation of receipt."

Contact a Kane County, IL Parenting Plan Attorney

A St. Charles, IL parental responsibilities lawyer from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC can help parents create a parenting plan that works for both parents and the children involved in the extracurricular activities. We have held leadership positions in state and local bar associations, and have been certified as Guardians ad Litem and attorneys for children. At MKFM Law, we serve family law clients at our offices in Kane County, DuPage County, and DeKalb County. Call 630-665-7300 to schedule your initial attorney meeting to discuss your parenting plan.