How Collaborative Law Can Support Co-Parenting After Divorce in Illinois

 Posted on November 09, 2025 in Collaborative Law

Divorce can change your daily life and your children’s routines. Even when the marriage ends, you still want your children to feel safe, supported, and loved by both parents. Collaborative law is one way to handle divorce while keeping conflict to a minimum. If you work with one of our DuPage County, IL divorce lawyers, you can take a more peaceful approach to co-parenting. This method focuses on cooperation instead of arguments.

What Is Collaborative Law in an Illinois Divorce?

Collaborative law is a divorce process where both parents and their lawyers agree not to go to court. Everyone signs an agreement to work together and share information. The goal is to solve problems through respectful discussion. This approach helps keep control in your hands instead of leaving decisions to a judge who is not familiar with your family and their unique needs.

This process often includes trained professionals. For example, a neutral financial expert can help explain money issues in a clear and simple way. A child specialist can help explain what your child may need emotionally. These professionals do not take sides. They support both parents in making thoughtful decisions.

The Challenges of Co-Parenting After Divorce

Co-parenting can be difficult after a divorce because emotions may still be running high. You may have different views about discipline, schoolwork, or daily routines. Life changes, such as new partners or new jobs, can also create stress. Other common co-parenting challenges include:

• Adjusting to new schedules

• Communicating during emotional moments

• Agreeing on and enforcing consistent rules for your child

• Making decisions about school, religion, or health care

• Managing changes when life circumstances shift

Collaborative law provides structure and guidance to help you address these challenges calmly.

How Collaborative Law Encourages Cooperative Co-Parenting

According to 750 ILCS 5/602.7, which governs the allocation of parental responsibilities in custody cases, the child’s best interests are always the priority. This includes their emotional, physical, and educational needs. Collaborative law supports this by encouraging respectful conversation instead of blame. This helps parents stay focused on what their child needs rather than revisiting past conflicts.

In collaborative sessions, parents communicate with the help of trained lawyers and neutral professionals. Many parents walk away from collaborative divorce with skills for communicating and problem-solving that make the transition into post-divorce co-parenting smoother for everyone.

Creating a Parenting Plan Through Collaborative Divorce

A parenting plan is a written agreement that explains how parents will share time and decision-making for their child. In Illinois, parenting plans must follow 750 ILCS 5/602.10. This law encourages you to communicate and work together rather than rely on the court to settle disagreements. In the collaborative law process, parents talk through each part of the plan with guidance from trained professionals. This helps keep the discussion calm and focused on what matters most: the child.

The more detailed your plan is, the better. It may include daily and weekly schedules, holiday and vacation time, travel arrangements, and how medical, educational, and extracurricular decisions will be made. When done well, it reduces misunderstandings and offers a pathway to resolving issues in the future. It also provides your child with structure, stability, and a sense of security during a time of change.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Wheaton, IL Collaborative Law Attorney Today

If you want to co-parent in a healthy and respectful way, collaborative law may be a strong choice. Working with Andrew Cores Family Law Group means you will have a knowledgeable support system to help you keep the focus on your children. Attorney Andy Cores is a Fellow of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and has served on the organization’s TEC Committee. The firm has been helping families since 1996. They are dedicated to providing thoughtful and caring representation to every client.

Contact our DuPage County, IL child custody lawyers today to schedule your free consultation and learn how collaborative law can support your family.