Lake Forest Parenting Plan Lawyer
When a couple goes through a divorce, annulment, or legal separation, one of the most crucial factors that need to be considered is what happens to the couple’s children. In every separation handled in court, the best possible parenting plan for the children needs to be arranged, presented, and agreed upon by both parties. Our Lake Forest parenting plan lawyers can guide you through the entire process and help you make the best parenting decisions for your children.
Call John Buchmiller & Associates, LLC at (312) 313-9578 now to get a free consultation with our law experts!
The Definition of a Parenting Plan
A parenting plan is a type of legal document that contains all the needed information about who will make decisions for the children and how those decisions will be made. The parenting plan must include the following basic information: where the children will live, the amount of time they’re going to spend with each parent, how each parent will acquire information and records about the children, and how the children are going to be transported to each parent’s residence when their parenting time comes.
Things to Know When Creating a Parenting Plan
Before drafting a parenting plan with the other party, here are some information that you should know:
- After asking the court to grant you the parental responsibilities, you’ll be given 120 days to file a parenting plan.
- The two parties have two options, and here’s the first one: if they both agree on the parental responsibilities and parenting time, they may file one parenting plan with the signatures of both parties within 120 days. The second option applies if the parents haven’t come to an agreement when it comes to the parental responsibilities and parenting time; they can file each of their parenting plans to the court.
- If neither of the two parties files a parenting plan, a hearing will be held in court to determine the children’s best interests.
- When it comes to making a decision on who gets the parental responsibilities, the court will look at the submitted parenting plans.
Information Needed in a Parenting Plan
When drafting a parenting plan, it’s essential to be as detailed as possible, so fewer disagreements or conflicts will arise between the parents. These are some of the information that you should include in a parenting plan:
1. Basic Information
a. Names and Addresses of the Children
b. Names and Contact Information of the Parents
2. Parental Responsibilities – It should be indicated who gets to make decisions for the children when it comes to the following aspects:
a. Education
b. Religion
c. Healthcare
d. Extracurricular Activities
3. Parenting Time
a. Schedule of Each Parent – The answers when and how much should be answered when it comes to spending time with the children. The parent who gets to spend more time with the children will be called the primary parent while the one who spends less time will be called the non-primary parent. If both parties decide to share their time with kids equally, they should still choose a primary parent for legal purposes.
4. Mediation
a. Plan for Resolving Problems – It should also be indicated in the parenting plan how both parties will settle an issue like failing to follow the parenting schedule or assigned responsibilities. It should also be indicated that they will automatically go to court again if they can’t agree on the provisions included in the parenting plan.
5. Relocation
a. Plan for a Relocation – If ever one parent relocates, a detailed plan on how to handle changes should be indicated in the parenting plan.
Why John Buchmiller & Associates, LLC is The Best Choice for Legal Services
Our law office in Lake Forest, IL, will be your guide when it comes to ensuring the best parenting plan for your children. We will help you consider all the factors involved and your current situation, and create the most suitable parenting plan for your children. This is a crucial step in the process of separating from your spouse, whether it’s in the form of annulment, divorce, or legal separation. We’ll make sure that what you truly want for your kids will be reflected in the parenting plan that you’ll file in court.
Get Free Consultations
We know that parents want nothing but the best for their children, and that’s why we’re here for you. Our Lake Forest Parenting Plan lawyers will make sure that you get the best possible arrangement with your former spouse, with the kids’ welfare as the top priority. We offer free consultations so you can discuss your case with us and give you the best legal advice.
Call John Buchmiller & Associates, LLC at (312) 313-9578 now for a free consultation with one of our Parenting Plan lawyers!