What Should Be in Your Illinois Parenting Plan in 2026?

 Posted on March 16, 2026 in Alimony/Spousal Support

If you are going through a divorce or separation in Illinois in 2026 and you have children, one of the most important things you will need to create is a parenting plan. A parenting plan is a written document that spells out exactly how you and your co-parent will share time with your child and make decisions about your child’s life. 

Courts do not handle these arrangements informally, and a vague agreement almost always leads to conflict later. A Wheaton family law attorney can help you build a parenting plan that works for your family and holds up in court.

Why Does Illinois Require a Parenting Plan?

Illinois law replaced the old term "custody" with two separate ideas: "parental responsibilities," meaning who makes major decisions about the child's life, and "parenting time," meaning when the child is physically with each parent. Both must be included in a parenting plan. Under Illinois law, parents must usually file a proposed parenting plan within 120 days after a petition for parental responsibilities is filed or served, unless the court gives more time.

According to the American Psychological Association, research shows that children in divorced families tend to be better adjusted when they maintain strong relationships with both parents and experience lower levels of conflict between them. A clear parenting plan can support that cooperation by removing gray areas before they turn into arguments.  

What Does an Illinois Parenting Plan Need to Include?

Illinois law sets out specific things a parenting plan must address. Here is what you should expect to cover.

What Will the Parenting Time Schedule Look Like?

The parenting time schedule is the heart of any plan. It spells out when the child is with each parent, including:

• Weekday and weekend schedules

• Holiday and school break schedules

• How summers will be divided

The more specific your schedule is, the less room there is for disagreement later.

Who Makes Decisions About the Child?

Your plan must spell out how big decisions will be made. These cover things like the child's education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities. You will need to say whether these decisions will be made together or whether one parent has final say in certain areas. Illinois courts may give decision-making authority to one parent or both parents. Judges decide based on what works best for the child, including whether the parents can cooperate when making important decisions.

How Will Co-Parents Communicate?

Your plan should address how you and your co-parent will stay in contact about your child. This can include:

• Preferred methods of contact, such as text, email, or a co-parenting app

• How much notice is required when one parent needs to change the schedule

• How will disagreements be handled before going back to court

Setting clear communication expectations from the start can prevent a lot of unnecessary conflict down the road.

What About Pickups, Drop-Offs, and Transportation?

Your plan should describe where and how your child will be handed off between homes, who handles transportation, and what happens if a parent is running late. 

What If a Parent Wants to Move?

If either parent may want to relocate in the future, your plan should address that possibility. Under 750 ILCS 5/609.2, a parent who plans to relocate with a child must usually give the other parent at least 60 days’ written notice and file that notice with the court. If the other parent objects, the moving parent must get court approval before relocating.

What Makes a Parenting Plan Strong?

A strong parenting plan is specific, realistic, and forward-thinking. Vague terms like "reasonable parenting time" tend to lead to conflict. The best plans think ahead to situations that are likely to come up, such as school events, vacations, new partners, changes in work schedules, and address them directly. A child custody attorney can review your draft plan and catch anything a judge is likely to push back on before you file.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Wheaton, IL Child Custody Attorney

A parenting plan shapes your child's daily life for years to come. Getting it right from the start matters. That is where the experienced DuPage County parenting plan lawyer at Andrew Cores Family Law Group comes in. We offer free consultations, so you can get real answers before you commit to any decisions. Call 630-871-1002 today.