Wheaton, Illinois Parenting Plan Lawyers

Attorneys Assisting With Parenting Agreements in Wheaton Divorce and Family Law Cases

In divorce cases where a couple has children, or in other family law cases involving child custody, parents will need to make multiple types of decisions about how they will continue to raise and care for their children. In Illinois family law cases, parents are required to establish a parenting plan, which sets down all decisions related to the allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, and other related issues.

A well-crafted parenting plan can provide clarity for parents while helping to minimize conflict. It can help ensure that children's needs will be met consistently while also addressing various issues that may arise in the years to come. At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, our attorneys work with parents to create parenting plans that will meet their families' needs. We provide guidance on how our clients can prioritize their children's well-being while protecting their parental rights.

Our lawyers understand the emotional and practical challenges involved in child custody cases. We provide thoughtful guidance to help our clients develop parenting plans that are based on their unique family circumstances. By approaching each case with compassion and careful attention to detail, we strive to create workable agreements that will promote stability for children and reduce the likelihood of future disputes.

Understanding Parenting Plans

During divorce or family cases involving children, a written agreement will be put in place that will detail how child custody will be handled going forward. Parents are usually encouraged to work together to create a parenting plan. They may negotiate with each other to reach decisions about the terms of their parenting plan, and the final agreement may be submitted to the court for approval. If the parents cannot agree, each parent may submit their own proposed parenting plan and ask the court to make the final decisions about the terms of the plan.

A parenting plan will serve as the foundation for co-parenting after a divorce or separation. It is meant to provide structure, ensuring that the parents understand their rights and responsibilities. When reviewing an agreed parenting plan or making decisions about the terms that will be included in a plan, courts will always focus on finding solutions that will provide for the best interests of the children.

Key Issues Addressed in Parenting Plans

A parenting plan is meant to be comprehensive, covering all issues related to a couple's children and encouraging co-parents to work together as they raise their children. The terms of a parenting plan will address matters such as:

• Allocation of Parental Responsibilities: Each parent's authority to make decisions about issues such as education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities must be clearly defined. A plan may state that parents will share these responsibilities, or it may give one parent final decision-making authority in certain areas.
• Parenting Time Schedule: A parenting plan will include a detailed calendar outlining when the children will reside with each parent. This will include regular weekly schedules specifying where children will stay on weekdays and weekends. Holidays, school breaks, and vacations should also be addressed, providing an understanding of when children will be living or staying with each parent.
• Transportation Arrangements: The plan should specify how children will be transported between parents' homes. It can detail who will be responsible for drop-offs and pick-ups on different days and times.
• Communication Between Parents and Children: The terms of a parenting plan may address phone calls, video chats, or electronic communication between parents and children. The goal will usually be to ensure that children can maintain strong relationships with both parents. A plan may also address how parents will communicate with each other to address child-related issues, including by phone, email, or text messages.
• Dispute Resolution Methods: In situations where parents may encounter disagreements about how parenting issues should be handled, provisions may be included that will require them to participate in mediation or use other methods to resolve these disputes.
• Relocation Provisions: If one parent wishes to move a significant distance away, the parenting plan may outline the procedures that may be followed. It may detail how a parent can make a relocation request or how changes to parenting time and parental responsibilities may be made in these situations.
• Other Rules: Parents may wish to establish consistent rules and routines to help their children avoid disruptions when transitioning between their households. A parenting plan may address issues such as appropriate forms of discipline, the use of electronic devices, or other day-to-day concerns.
• Right of First Refusal: Parents may wish to put arrangements in place that will ensure that children can be in the care of a parent whenever possible. They may agree to include terms stating that if a parent is unavailable to care for children during their scheduled parenting time, they will be required to contact the other parent to see if they are available before making other arrangements for child care.

Encouraging Cooperation Between Parents

Even though parents will no longer be in a relationship with each other, they will still need to work together to ensure that their children's needs are being met. Ideally, parents will be able to cooperate, putting aside their personal differences and working to provide for their children's best interests. A spirit of cooperation can help to reduce stress for children, and it can also help ensure that a parenting plan will be practical and sustainable.

At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we help our clients focus on their children's best interests as they make decisions about child custody. We provide guidance on the use of alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation or collaborative law, to reach agreements without the need for drawn-out court proceedings. This can help establish a positive co-parenting relationship and a focus on meeting children's needs. When cooperation is not possible, however, we are prepared to advocate for our clients in court to ensure that their parental rights will be protected.

Contact Our Wheaton, IL Parenting Plan Attorneys

At Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC, we work with clients to create parenting plans that will support their children's well-being. We provide knowledgeable legal guidance and representation to help ensure that decisions about child custody will provide for children's best interests. Contact our Wheaton parenting agreement lawyers at 630-665-7300 to set up a consultation.