Tips for Divorcing Parents in Naperville, Illinois 

 Posted on March 04,2022 in Divorce

Separating from a spouse and filing for a divorce is difficult, but creating a successful co-parenting plan can help alleviate quite a bit of stress. It is helpful to outline parenting time and child custody before completing a divorce agreement so that there is little confusion for the parents and children. Using mediation, hiring a trusted divorce attorney, and even seeking therapeutic help can contribute to a successful parenting plan that keeps everyone's best interest in mind. Below are three steps that parents can follow to create a co-parenting plan in Illinois. 

Make Custody Decisions First

Divorce decrees, which often include parenting plans, are legal documents that must be upheld. Illinois parents are asked to create a parenting plan that describes where the children will live and how much parenting time a parent will receive. They will also describe how major decisions about the child’s life will be handled including where the child goes to school or what types of medical care the child receives. 

In Illinois, divorcing parents with children must decide which partner the children will stay with primarily. Spouses can create joint-custody agreements that allow for both parents to maintain an active role in the children's lives. Typically, one parent will receive the majority of parenting time, which means the children will primarily live with that parent. Child custody decisions can help the parents make decisions about asset division. For example, the parent with the majority of parenting time may stay in the home to keep the children in a familiar environment.

Use Legal Mediation Tools 

Making financial and custody decisions during a divorce is difficult. Many couples wind up disagreeing on aspects of the divorce agreement. By seeking legal assistance, lawyers can help each partner understand the nature of their situation, track their joint and separate finances, and review aspects of the family dynamic to help create a parenting plan that works for everyone. Lawyers can even help assign a neutral-party mediator between the two parties to help work through disagreements that arise. 

Negotiate Asset Division 

Parents may be able to negotiate who will keep what assets without resorting to litigation. You may want to discuss your financial situation with a skilled financial planner in addition to your lawyer to decide the best way to divide assets and debts. 

Find a Naperville, Illinois Divorce and Family Attorney 

At Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C., we understand the complex nature of creating a divorce agreement and parenting plans that work for each family member. Our Naperville, Illinois, divorce attorneys focus on keeping the children's best interests in mind while creating a divorce and co-parenting plan that ensures equality and fairness between the two partners. Call us today at 630-355-7776 and begin for a free consultation with our office.