Separating from a spouse and filing for a divorce is difficult, but creating a successful co-parenting plan can help alleviate quite a bit of stress. It is helpful to outline parenting time and child custody before completing a divorce agreement so that there is little confusion for the parents and children. Using mediation, hiring a trusted divorce attorney, and even seeking therapeutic help can contribute to a successful parenting plan that keeps everyone's best interest in mind. Below are three steps that parents can follow to create a co-parenting plan in Illinois.
Make Custody Decisions First
Divorce decrees, which often include parenting plans, are legal documents that must be upheld. Illinois parents are asked to create a parenting plan that describes where the children will live and how much parenting time a parent will receive. They will also describe how major decisions about the child’s life will be handled including where the child goes to school or what types of medical care the child receives.
In Illinois, divorcing parents with children must decide which partner the children will stay with primarily. Spouses can create joint-custody agreements that allow for both parents to maintain an active role in the children's lives. Typically, one parent will receive the majority of parenting time, which means the children will primarily live with that parent. Child custody decisions can help the parents make decisions about asset division. For example, the parent with the majority of parenting time may stay in the home to keep the children in a familiar environment.
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