Illinois family courts have made significant changes to the way they handle child custody cases. The term “custody” has been replaced with “parental responsibility,” which now includes both “parenting time” and “significant decision-making.” These changes aim to promote the well-being of the child while balancing the rights of both parents.
How Parenting Time is Allocated in Illinois
In DuPage County, as throughout Illinois, parenting time is typically allocated by agreement or through court intervention. If parents are unable to agree, the court will step in to create a parenting plan. There are two primary options:
- Mediation: In mediation, parents work with a neutral third party to negotiate and create an agreement on parenting time and responsibilities.
- Court Intervention: If mediation fails, the court will make decisions based on what it believes is in the best interests of the child.
Parenting time can be shared or primarily allocated to one parent, depending on the unique circumstances of the case.