In Illinois, a parenting plan outlines the rights and responsibilities of each parent regarding the child's upbringing. It is a legally binding document that helps parents navigate their relationship with their children after a divorce or separation. However, sometimes the circumstances of the parents and the child change, making it necessary to modify the parenting plan. If you ever need to update your parenting plan, contact a parenting plan attorney to ensure your updated circumstances can be accurately reflected in an updated parenting plan.

Indicative Signs You Need to Update Your Parenting Plan

Change in living arrangements – If one parent moves to a different state, city, or even a new neighborhood, it can disrupt the current parenting plan. The distance between the parents' homes may make it challenging to adhere to the parenting time schedule, and the child's education and extracurricular activities may also be affected.

• Change in work schedule – If one or both parents' work schedules change, it can affect their ability to spend time with the child. For example, if one parent starts working night shifts, they may be unable to pick up or drop off the child at school or attend extracurricular activities.
• Change in the child's needs – As a child grows, their needs and interests may change. For example, a child who once enjoyed spending time with one parent may now prefer spending time with the other parent.
• Change in parent's health – If one parent's health deteriorates, they may be unable to fulfill their parenting responsibilities as per the existing plan. For example, if one parent becomes physically disabled, they may not be able to pick up or drop off their child at school or bring them to after-school activities.
• Change in parent's financial standing – If one parent experiences a significant change in their financial situation, it can affect their ability to provide for the child. For example, if a parent gets laid off, they may not be able to pay child support or provide the child with the same standard of living.

Contact a DuPage County Child Custody Attorney

Ultimately, a parenting plan is a crucial document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each parent after a divorce. However, circumstances may arise that require the plan to be updated. If you ever find yourself in this situation, contact the experienced Wheaton, IL child custody lawyers with Andrew Cores Family Law Group. Call 630-871-1002 for a free consultation.

In case you are unaware, two distinct options exist for those going through a divorce who wish to avoid traditional litigation. These two options are collaborative law and mediation. Each has its unique features and benefits. However, they are often misunderstood and thought to be the same thing. Today, we will discuss the essential differences between collaborative law and mediation to give you a better idea of what each process is like and when such processes may benefit a couple getting divorced.

If you are interested in pursuing collaborative law or mediation, consult an experienced attorney who can help you start the process while ensuring your rights are safeguarded.

Mediation

Mediation is a form of dispute resolution in which a neutral third party, referred to as the mediator, helps parties in a dispute reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator does not make decisions or impose solutions but facilitates communication and negotiation between the parties. Mediation is often less formal and less expensive than traditional litigation, allowing parties more control over the outcome of their dispute. Mediation can resolve various disputes, including family law matters, employment disputes, and business disputes.

Getting a divorce can put someone under a lot of pressure. This can cause stress and challenges in their day-to-day lives, especially when a child is involved. Children can also be deeply affected by divorce. A child may see a divorce as their family breaking apart, which can be extremely difficult, especially if the child is young. It is in the parent's best interest to look out for their child by deciding on a parenting agreement. This way, they can help ensure their child's divorce transition is as smooth as possible. 

What is a Parenting Agreement? 

A parenting agreement or parenting plan is a written agreement that both parents have agreed upon that allocates decision-making responsibilities and parenting time. The parenting plan can be submitted by each party or jointly. Once submitted, the court will look the plan over and consider it for approval. If the parents cannot agree on a parenting plan, the court may require the parents to attend mediation. During mediation, the parents will work with a mediator to discuss any disagreements, explore possible solutions, and work toward an agreement. 

What Happens If A Spouse Fails To Meet The Parenting Agreement 

If parents find that their parenting plan is no longer feasible, they can petition the court for a modification. However, there are rules regarding when and how a parenting plan may be modified.

Planning a divorce can be an extremely taxing and challenging task to do by yourself. It is, unfortunately, extremely common for people to make mistakes during the divorce process that lead to additional stress and avoidable financial loss. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you take the steps needed to make your divorce process as smooth and error-free as possible. Listed below are a few things to avoid when planning a divorce. 

Do Not Hide Assets or Lie About Income and Finances 

During a divorce, the parties must provide full financial disclosure. During a divorce, the parties must provide full financial disclosure. This includes providing a clear and honest accounting of all their assets and liabilities. Hiding or lying about assets is considered fraud, which can result in serious consequences both during the divorce process as well as after it is completed. A qualified divorce attorney can help you understand your obligations under Illinois state law and make sure that you are not making any mistakes while disclosing your financial situation.

Do Not Get Your Children Involved

Bad-mouthing a parent to your child will almost always backfire. Divorce is between the two parents and should be treated as such. One of the most critical elements to focus on while planning to divorce with children involved should be to seek out the absolute best interest for them. If a judge discovers that a parent has been bad-mouthing to the point of parental alienation, this could influence the court’s decisions regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time. 

The legal and financial aspects of a marriage are often overlooked. Finances, however, are an essential element during a marriage and a divorce. The division of complex assets can be especially difficult, especially if those assets have a high value. Assets such as security funds, bonds, and small-cap stocks can frequently change in value, making them difficult to address during a divorce.

Businesses are also challenging to address during divorce. Even if a business owner started the business before marriage, if both spouses contributed to the business, it could become a marital asset. This means that both spouses have a right to a share of the business’s value. If spouses can come to an agreement about how to divide complex assets, they may be able to get a resolution outside of the court. However, if they cannot make an agreement that works for both parties, the court will determine the division of their assets. 

Appraisal and Division of Complex Assets in a Divorce 

The worth of complex assets often changes in value over time, making it difficult to determine their value. Parties may disagree on the worth of these assets when deciding who deserves what. When dividing these assets, it may be worthwhile to work with an experienced financial advisor or appraisal expert to determine the value of these assets. Parties need to understand the value of these assets so they can determine an equitable division of assets. It is common for one spouse to buy out the other spouse’s share of complex assets. For example, one spouse may retain full ownership of a business while the other spouse receives real estate or other assets of equal value.