Chicago Parenting Time Attorneys

If you and your spouse are moving toward divorce, one of the most critical elements involves working out a parenting time schedule that you are comfortable signing off on. While you both should want what’s best for your children, coming to terms with the fact that your children’s time will be split between the two of you can be exceptionally difficult. If you need to pin down a parenting time schedule, an experienced Chicago parenting time attorney can help. 

Your Child Custody Arrangements

In Illinois, child custody is now referred to as parental responsibilities, and it is broken down into legal decision-making authority and parenting time. Parenting time refers to whom the children live with, and it can be either sole or joint. Sole parenting time refers to when the children live the majority of the time with one parent and have a visitation schedule with the other parent. Joint parenting time means that the children reside with each parent on a fairly equal basis (but not necessarily exactly equal). 

Your Parenting Time Schedule

Regardless of the type of custody arrangement, however, divorced parents must implement a parenting time schedule that is appropriate for the situation. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic (and subsequent shutdowns) has served to highlight exactly how complicated this process can be. Consider all of the following issues that must be addressed in your parenting time logistics:

• Scheduling during the School Year – It’s obviously important to have a workable, reliable plan when it comes to your parenting time schedule for the school year. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to school schedules (especially now with the uncertainty related to how COVID-19 is going to affect back to school), and having a plan in place that accommodates for the unexpected – such as sick days – in relation to each parent’s flexibility and availability is key.
• Scheduling during School Breaks and Vacations – School breaks and vacations must also be accounted for. Identifying each break and vacation recognized by the school is a good place to start. Don’t forget the big six when it comes to holidays, which include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Dividing these up equitably (fairly in relation to each of your priorities) can help ensure that you both get your fair share of time with the children when you’re not under the constant pressure of competing work and school schedules.
• Scheduling Driving Duties – If you have kids, you know that they require lots and lots of driving. As such, including each of your driving schedules in your parenting time schedule is imperative. Knowing who will be picking up who at any given time helps ensure that your parenting time schedule runs smoothly and efficiently.

Consult with a Dedicated Chicago Parenting Time Attorney Today

Implementing a parenting time plan that works for you and your children is essential, and the experienced and compassionate Chicago parenting time lawyers at The Law Offices of George M. Sanders are committed to helping you get yours right from the outset. Allow us to help by contacting us for more information today.