Supportive Parenting Time Lawyers Protecting Parent Child Relationships in Wheaton, IL
Visitation, formally known as parenting time under Illinois law, is often a hot-button issue when determining child custody arrangements. Many factors can influence the time a child spends with each of his or her parents. Establishing a parenting time agreement that ultimately serves the best interests of the child is critical to your child's continued growth and well-being.
At Musielak & Rosinski LLC, we recognize that the stress and emotions involved in divorce or the end of a long-term relationship can interfere with a parent's ability to see things through the eyes of their child. Our Wheaton, IL child custody attorneys are ready to work toward reasonable goals surrounding your parenting time schedule.
Establishing a Parenting Plan
The decisions made about child custody and parenting time will be set down in a parenting agreement, and once this plan is approved by the court, both parents will be required to follow its terms. A parenting plan will detail how parenting time will be shared by parents. Any time a child spends in a parent's care is known as parenting time, and it may include overnight stays in a parent's home or shorter periods of visitation. In general, Illinois law presumes that a parent should be allowed reasonable time with their child unless the child's health is in danger. This allows a parent with fewer parental responsibilities to still maintain an active presence in their child's life.
When determining how parenting time will be allocated, the ages of the children should be considered, as well as their feelings about the situation. Other factors that may influence a child's time with each parent include:
- Work schedules, schools, and child care options available to each parent
- The level of cooperation between the parents and their ability to work together to put their children's needs first
- Frequency of phone calls and other forms of communication between parents and children
- Important holidays, as well as birthdays and other special days
- School breaks
- The need for supervised parenting time in situations where children may be at risk of physical or emotional harm
Over time, you may need to modify your original parenting time agreement due to changes in circumstances such as parental relocation or the remarriage of one or both parents. Our attorneys can help you understand how to address these situations, and we can advocate for solutions that will provide for your children's best interests.
Alternative Methods of Dispute Resolution Regarding Parenting Time
Whenever possible, we attempt to resolve parental responsibilities (child custody) and parenting time (visitation) disputes through negotiation or mediation. You and your child's other parent will always have a common tie: your child. The more amicable your relationship can remain, the better for everyone involved. Children often benefit from seeing their parents work together productively rather than watching them get into unnecessary shouting matches.
Sometimes, no matter how hard we work to avoid it, moving toward trial is the only option for establishing an acceptable visitation agreement. In these cases, our lawyers are prepared to advocate for you, presenting your wishes to the court and the reasoning behind them. We have proven litigation experience, allowing us to confidently advocate for you in front of a judge.
Contact Our Wheaton Parenting Time Attorneys
At Musielak & Rosinski LLC, we can help you understand your parental rights under Illinois law. Contact our Wheaton parenting time attorneys or call 630-344-6525 to set up a free initial consultation with our firm. We have helped many clients located in DuPage County, Kane County, Will County, and Kendall County.