What is “Allocation of Parental Responsibilities?”
Illinois law breaks down parental responsibilities into two categories – parenting time and decision making.
Parenting Time
If you are going through a divorce or trying to seek “custody” or “visitation” with your child in Illinois, it is important to note that Illinois has moved away from the traditional notions of custody and focus on the best interests of the child. This child centered approach tailors parenting time schedules to align with the children’s unique needs and their family’s specific circumstances.
What does Illinois mean by custody and visitation?
Illinois no longer uses the terms custody and visitation. Instead, the term parenting time is used to take gender roles and stereotypes out of the roles. Parenting time refers to the amount of time spent with your child exercising caretaking functions, including regular parenting time, overnight parenting item, vacations, holidays, school breaks.
Decision Making
What does Illinois mean by decision making?
Illinois breaks down decision making responsibilities into four separate categories for purposes of major decisions pertaining to the children.
1. Education – including the choice of schools and tutors;
2. Healthcare – including all decisions relating to the medical, dental, and psychological needs of the child and to the treatments arising or resulting from those needs;
3. Religion; and
4. Extracurricular activities.
Can parents agree on their parenting time schedule?
Yes! In fact, Illinois law requires parties to attend mediation prior to moving forward with litigation in the court system. This allows parents to come up with an agreement together with a neutral third party attorney to assist them.
Can parents agree on decision making responsibilities?
Yes, parents are either allocated joint decision making responsibilities or sole decision-making responsibilities with regard to each of the four categories.