Illinois Family Mediation

In this article, we explain how to enforce a parenting agreement in Illinois. We discuss the ramifications of a party not complying with the terms of an allocation of parental responsibilities judgment under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. While a party may think, “If I don’t exercise my parenting time, my ex-spouse will have more time with the children and therefore everyone wins,” the act of not exercising allotted parenting time can have various consequences ranging from financial penalties to loss of future parenting time. Those consequences are discussed herein.

When determining parenting time and responsibility in Illinois, courts weigh a number of factors in order to determine the parenting plan that will be in the best interests of the child, including the wishes of the parents and the child, the child’s adjustment to school and community, and the child’s previous relationship with each parent. One of these factors that the court weighs is sexual offenses by either parent or anyone cohabiting with either parent.

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In this article, we will examine the important details of Illinois parenting plans to determine the allocation of parenting time and responsibility in divorce and paternity cases, including how to file a parenting plan, what’s typically included in a plan, what happens if parents can’t agree, and what happens once the plan becomes an order.