When children are involved, Illinois expects divorcing parents to put together a parenting plan — a written agreement that spells out how you will share time with and responsibility for your children. A thoughtful plan reduces future conflict and, most importantly, gives kids stability.
What Illinois calls it
Illinois uses the terms “parenting time” and “allocation of parental responsibilities” rather than the older language of custody. Parenting time is the schedule of when each parent is with the children. Allocation of responsibilities covers who makes significant decisions about things like education, health care, religion, and extracurricular activities.
What a strong parenting plan covers
- A regular weekly schedule and how holidays and school breaks are split.
- How decisions in each major area will be made.
- Transportation and exchange arrangements.
- How the parents will communicate and resolve future disagreements.
- Provisions for changes as children grow.
Keeping the focus where it belongs
The guiding standard is the best interests of the child. A plan built around your children's routines and needs — rather than around winning points against the other parent — is both easier to agree on and far more durable over time.
- Illinois uses parenting time + allocation of responsibilities.
- A good plan covers schedules, decisions, exchanges, and communication.
- The legal standard is the best interests of the child.
- Child-focused plans are easier to agree on and last longer.