What Is Considered When Creating a Parenting Plan in Illinois?

 Posted on April 17, 2025 in Child Custody

In a parental responsibilities or child custody case, a parenting plan refers to the detailed document used to address who makes decisions for children when their parents divorce or separate, accounting for the needs of everyone involved. When it is well-designed, it considers situations that may arise and how both parents will address them. These plans can look very different depending on many factors. An experienced DuPage County, IL parental responsibilities attorney will offer personalized advice for your case. 

How Do The Living Situations of Each Parent Affect the Parenting Plan?

Where parents live and what their work schedules look like will impact parenting time. For example, when one parent moves far away, the plan will need to address the distance and time it takes to bring the child from one home to the other. Sometimes, this means accommodating flight schedules and other issues that may arise when parents do not live near one another.

Work schedules must also be considered. For example, if you or your co-parent travel for work or have an unpredictable work schedule, you will need to address those elements in your parenting plan. Parents in the military may have to factor in being stationed abroad or leaving for basic training. Sometimes, it can be challenging for a parent to anticipate their availability, and a well-crafted parenting plan will address that.

How Are the Child’s Needs Addressed in the Parenting Plan?

As children age, their needs will change. Young children need more consideration because they require more attention from their parents. The same is true for children with special needs. No one knows your child better than you. You can assess how well they may handle going between households or adjusting to the changes that accompany divorce or separation.

Other factors that impact a child’s needs and are often included in a parenting plan are:

• The child’s preferences, especially for older children

• Where children spend holidays and school breaks

• The child’s school schedule, including homework and extracurricular activities

Children can have busy schedules. An effective parenting plan will aim to disrupt the child’s daily life as little as possible. Sometimes, this may mean minor inconveniences for either parent, but ultimately, it will serve the child’s best interests. Under Illinois law, both parents, jointly or separately, file a proposed parenting plan with the court within 120 days of filing a petition for allocation of parental responsibilities. When you can agree on the plan, it is better for everyone.

Contact a Wheaton, IL Parenting Plan Attorney for a Free Consultation

Parenting plans are excellent tools for building strong co-parenting relationships and taking the unknown out of how to handle situations that could arise with your family in the future. At Andrew Cores Family Law Group, we understand the value of a comprehensive parenting plan. Call 630-871-1002 to schedule your free initial meeting with a DuPage County, IL custody lawyer whose primary concern is creating a plan that will prioritize your child’s best interests.