Illinois Child Custody Attorney Assisting Clients with Allocation Judgments and Parenting Plans in Oak Park
When you are going through a divorce and have children from the marriage, child custody issues can be some of the most contentious and difficult legal matters to handle. Anyone who is considering divorce and has kids with their spouse should know that Illinois child custody law has changed. The Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA) no longer uses the language “child custody” or “visitation,” but instead has shifted to using the terms “parental responsibilities” and “parenting time.”
The idea is that the changes to the law better reflect the close relationship and bond that parents and children have with one another. If you are filing for divorce and need assistance with your child custody case, an Oak Park child custody attorney can assist you.
Learning More About Oak Park Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time
What are parental responsibilities and parenting time? Under the IMDMA, parental responsibility is a term that refers to both significant decision-making responsibilities for a child as well as caretaking functions.
Caretaking functions include but are not limited to:
- Satisfying a child’s nutritional needs
- Managing a child’s bedtime
- Taking care of the child during sickness or injury
- Directing the child’s developmental needs
- Helping the child to learn manners
- Supervising the child’s chores
- Ensuring that the child attends school
- Helping the child to learn to develop relationships with family members and peers
- Ensuring that the child attends medical appointments
- Providing moral and ethical guidance for the child
Significant decision-making responsibilities do not involve daily care of the child, but instead making decisions about the child’s education, religious upbringing, and medical care, for example.
What is parenting time? This term refers to the time during which a parent provides care for the child and makes non-significant decisions.
Developing a Parenting Plan in Oak Park
When parents cannot come to an agreement about how they will share parental responsibilities, the court will make this decision. This is known as an Allocation Judgment through which the court allocates parental responsibilities. However, if parents can agree to how they will share parental responsibilities, Illinois law allows them to enter into a “parenting plan,” which outlines the parental responsibilities and parenting time for each parent.
An Oak Park child custody law with years of experience helping families with many different child custody situations can answer your questions about parental responsibilities and parenting plans. Our firm can also help you to determine whether it is possible to develop a parenting plan with the other parent, or whether you will need to advocate for your rights when a court allocates parental responsibilities.
Discuss Your Case with an Oak Park Child Custody Attorney
If you are currently going through a divorce and need assistance with your child custody case, an advocate at Gordon & Perlut, LLC can speak with you today about your case. The Oak Park child custody attorneys at our firm provide dedicated, personalized representation to each of our clients, and we are committed to serving families in Illinois. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.