Glen Ellyn, IL Child Custody Lawyers

Attorneys for Parenting Plans in Divorce and Family Law Cases in Glen Ellyn

Family law cases involving children can be emotionally challenging, and the decisions made can affect families for years to come. When parents separate or divorce, they will usually need to find a way to continue raising their children cooperatively. The attorneys at A. Traub & Associates can provide legal support to help parents navigate child custody issues. We help our clients focus on protecting their children's best interests, and we can make sure their parental rights are respected.

Custody disputes can quickly become contentious. With the right legal guidance, however, parents can develop practical solutions that support the health and well-being of their children. Our lawyers work closely with clients to address each aspect of child custody while advocating for arrangements that will help parents provide for their children's needs.

Key Aspects of Child Custody

In Illinois, there are two issues that will form the foundation of any child custody case:

• Parental Responsibilities: This refers to a parent's right to make important decisions about how their children will be raised. These decisions may be related to healthcare and medical treatment, education, extracurricular activities, and religion. Certain parental responsibilities may be allocated solely to one parent, but decision-making authority will often be shared between parents.
• Parenting Time: Also known as physical custody, parenting time refers to the schedule that determines when children will reside with each parent. A well-structured parenting time schedule can promote stability and ensure that children can maintain strong relationships with both parents, when appropriate.

Our attorneys help parents understand the issues that may affect decisions about the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. We work to help our clients achieve solutions that will address the specific needs of their families. When disputes arise, we will advocate for parenting arrangements that will provide consistency for children and allow parents to work together to raise their children cooperatively.

Sole vs. Joint Custody Arrangements

Depending on a family's situation, different types of child custody arrangements may be appropriate. These may include:

• Sole Decision-Making Authority: In some cases, one parent may be granted exclusive authority to make certain decisions related to their children. This may be a solution if parents are unwilling or unable to cooperate or if one parent has demonstrated a history of behavior that would make shared decision-making inappropriate, such as abuse, neglect, or substance abuse.
• Joint Decision-Making Authority: In most cases, courts will encourage parents to share responsibility for making major decisions about how their children will be raised. Joint decision-making works best when parents are willing and able to communicate effectively and prioritize their children's needs.

Parenting time may also be divided in a manner that reflects a sole custody or shared custody arrangement. One parent may have the majority of parenting time, or both parents may share time more evenly, depending on their availability, the children's schedules, and other relevant factors.

Developing Effective Parenting Plans

Every custody case in Illinois requires a parenting plan, which is a legally binding document that outlines how parental responsibilities and parenting time will be shared. The parenting plan must be filed with the court and approved by a judge. A comprehensive parenting plan will address several key areas, including:

• Decision-Making Responsibilities: The plan will detail each parent's authority when making decisions about major areas of children's lives, including whether certain decisions may be made solely or jointly.
• Parenting Time Schedule: The plan will include a detailed schedule showing when children will be with each parent, including on school days, weekends, school breaks, holidays, and vacations.
• Transportation Arrangements: Parents may agree on procedures for pick-ups, drop-offs, and the transportation of children between their households or at other times.
• Communication Protocols: Parents may agree on guidelines for how they will communicate with each other about their children.
• Right of First Refusal: In some cases, parents may choose to include terms stating that one parent must offer the other parent the opportunity to care for children before seeking outside childcare when they are unavailable during their scheduled parenting time.
• Dispute Resolution: A plan may detail the methods that will be used to resolve disagreements, such as mediation.

Our attorneys work with clients to create parenting plans that meet all legal requirements while addressing the practical realities of co-parenting. Our goal is to help avoid ambiguity and conflict by ensuring that a parenting plan clearly defines each parent's rights and responsibilities.

Promoting Healthy Co-Parenting Relationships

Successful parenting after a separation or divorce often requires more than just a court order. It requires a commitment to ongoing cooperation, flexibility, and communication. A well-drafted parenting plan can set the stage for effective co-parenting by minimizing misunderstandings and providing a clear structure for sharing parental responsibilities.

Our attorneys recognize that every family is different. We work with clients to develop strategies that will promote positive relationships between parents and children, reduce conflict, and provide stability. Whether our clients are working to resolve disputes amicably or are facing contentious court battles, we will advocate for their rights and help them find solutions that will protect their children's best interests.

Contact Our Glen Ellyn Child Custody Attorneys

If you are involved in a custody dispute, or if you need help developing a parenting plan, the attorneys at A. Traub & Associates can provide the legal support and guidance you need. Contact our Glen Ellyn, IL parenting plan lawyers today at 630-426-0196 to arrange a consultation and learn more about how we can assist with your child custody case.