St. Charles, IL Parenting Agreements Attorneys

Skilled Parenting Plan Lawyers Serving Geneva, Elgin, Aurora, and Kane County

As of 2016 and under the revised Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, parenting plans are now required when filing for parental responsibilities or parenting time (previously known as child custody and visitation). Submitting a parenting agreement to the court has long been an option for parents going through a divorce, separation, or paternity dispute.

The new law prescribes a specific deadline for submitting a parenting plan and addresses disputes over parenting plans. At Shaw Family Law, P.C. in Kane County, we have 30 years of experience helping clients create parenting plans that achieve their objectives and protect the rights that are important to them.

Deadline for Filing Parenting Plans in Kane County

You now have up to 120 days from filing for divorce or parental responsibilities to submit a parenting plan to the court. The parenting plan must include an allocation of parental responsibilities (previously called child custody) and determinations of parenting time. If both parties cannot come to an agreement on a parenting plan, each party may submit his or her own plan to the court. The court will then hold a hearing to assess what parenting plan is in the best interest of the child(ren).

While 120 days may seem like a long time, that deadline will come up faster than you expect it to. It is important to start to negotiate these matters with your co-parent promptly so that an agreement can be reached if possible. Our attorneys are practiced in negotiating these matters. With your priorities and objectives as our guide, we will fight for the best possible outcome for you and your children.

At the same time, we are mindful that cooperation is important when working out a parenting agreement. Mediation can be helpful in the process of coming to an agreement prior to filing a parenting plan. It is in everyone's best interests for both parents to agree on a parenting plan and avoid the courts involvement in deciding these matters as it will save both parties time, expense, and aggravation (both present and future).

Contact Our St. Charles Child Custody Lawyers

If you are involved in a divorce or separation that includes children, contact Shaw Family Law, P.C. by calling 630-584-5550 to schedule a free consultation. We will explain the changes to the law in Illinois, how these changes will affect you, and what you can expect from the legal process. Our attorneys strongly advocate for the rights of our clients and our clients' children. We are both strong negotiators and litigators, and we strive to resolve parenting matters effectively, efficiently, and amicably. From our office in St. Charles, we work with clients in Geneva, Batavia and throughout Kane County.