The plans must specify how the child can communicate with a parent outside of the parental leave. Are phone calls, emails, texts and video chats acceptable? How often and for how long? Clarify that the other parent should not inappropriately monitor or interrupt these conversations. If you need help enforcing your parental consent, The Foray Firm can work with you to prepare your application for enforcement and supporting evidence and represent you in court to argue for enforcement. Contact our duty counsel in Joliet, IL at 312-702-1293 to find out what we can do for you and your children. Even if the parents have 50/50 parental leave, the court could order each party to pay child support. Child benefits depend on each party`s income and the time each party has with the child. To calculate child support, use our child benefit calculator. Recently, we reviewed some of the far-reaching amendments to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (“Act”) that came into effect on January 1, 2016. Today we would like to discuss a particularly important change that can be separated from couples with children.

What used to be called “custody” in the law is now widely recognized as “shared parenting,” which is largely determined by a parenting plan presented to the judge by the parties. This new section aims to remove some of the seemingly harsh labels associated with the division of parental rights, including determining who has decision-making power, as well as life circumstances. By including as many contingencies as possible in your parenting plan, you can eliminate the need for changes after the divorce decree and ensure that the divorce transition goes as smoothly as possible for your child. A parenting plan must indicate whether important decisions concerning the child are made by both parents (shared parental responsibility) or by one of the parents (exclusive parental responsibility). Illinois courts grant parental leave and liability based on the best interests of the child. This means that the court only favours a mother over a father if the father negatively affects the child. You must include a provision that states that parents participate in mediation if they do not follow the parenting plan or if they cannot agree on a change in the plan. Indicate that parents can go to court if mediation fails. If the parents are unable to agree on custody, the court may require the parties to participate in the mediation. A mediator is a neutral third party who is trained and appointed by the court and assists parents in entering into their own custody and access agreement.

If mediation fails, custody issues will be brought before the courts and mediation sessions will remain confidential. Child support is determined, among other things, by the finances of the parents and the needs of the children, including the time of upbringing of the children, so that each parent can have a maintenance obligation regardless of the custody agreement. While the state`s parenting plan template covers a lot of important information, it doesn`t know your family`s situation. To make sure your child`s needs are fully taken into account, be sure to add custom layouts or create your own plan. A parenting plan or joint parenting arrangement is required when the parties are given joint custody of the children. The Joint Agreement on Parenting provides for the parties to take joint decisions on matters relating to child-rearing, health care and religious education. If parents agree to share decision-making responsibility in one or more of the above areas, their parenting plan should specify a method of dispute resolution, such as mediation .B. There is nothing in the law that says that a father is entitled to parental leave with a child. But fathers will still get custody of their child if it is in the best interests of the child. Parental plans (sometimes called custodial arrangements in other states) describe how parental responsibility and parenting time are divided or divided. The most common rule is that parents share parental responsibility (custody), but a parent has the majority of parental time (custody). The other parent is still receiving visits with the child, but life in two places can put the children to the test.

Here are some important things you need to know about parenting plans: Disrupting the other parent`s expected parenting time When it comes to parental responsibility, the parenting plan usually describes a type of communication and a schedule for discussing important situations. Sometimes a parent is given decision-making power when the parents cannot agree on a decision. Violation of a parental time restriction, e.B. by the use of a controlled substance or the presence of an unauthorized person during parental leave The agreement establishes the rights and obligations of each parent for the child and establishes the visiting schedule agreed by the parties or ordered by the court. The agreement also provides a means of settling disputes relating to the agreement. Before parents make these decisions, they create a joint parenting agreement. This parenting agreement or plan outlines the responsibilities and expectations of the child. Reaching an agreement that maximizes the time the child has with each parent while keeping them close to their existing schools and lifestyle is ideal. The parenting plan is also your chance to decide what responsibilities, such as their education or health care, you want to share with your spouse or that you want to share. When joint custody is transferred to the parents, they conclude a joint parental agreement specifying the child`s place of residence and the rights and obligations of each parent towards the child. The agreement also provides a means of resolving disputes over parental matters.

Illinois parenting plans need to be comprehensive enough when it comes to dealing with parenting time, decision-making responsibility, and communication between co-parents. Therefore, there are many ways in which a parent could violate the terms of the agreement. For example: These factors and many others will be taken into account individually in case you and your spouse cannot agree on the parenting plan. Think carefully so that you can put yourself in the best position to maximize your time with your children and have the most say in your future. .