Park Ridge Divorce Attorney for Child-Related Issues

Addressing Child Issues During Divorce

You and your spouse will need to create a parenting plan that addresses how matters related to your children will be handled going forward. As you work out the details of your parenting plan, you may need to address:

• Child custody/allocation of parental responsibilities - As parents, the two of you may equally share decision-making responsibilities for your children, or different areas of responsibility--healthcare, education, extracurricular activities, and religion--may be allocated to either parent.
• Parenting time/visitation - You will need to create a schedule outlining when children will be with either parent on a daily basis and during vacations or holidays. Your parenting plan should also address issues such as transportation arrangements and rules for when parents can communicate with children.
• Child custody evaluations - In some cases, a mental health expert may be appointed by the court to review the case and offer recommendations about what is in children's best interests.
• Child relocation - Either parent may need to move to a new home during divorce or after the divorce is complete. A parent who plans to move with children may need to obtain approval from the court. If the other parent objects to the move, a hearing may need to be held to determine whether the move is in children's best interests.
• Non-parent visitation - Grandparents, step-parents, or other family members may be concerned about how their relationship with children will be affected by a divorce. In some cases, non-parents can petition for visitation time with a child.
• Child support - Both parents are required to provide financial support for children. Child support obligations are based, generally, on the income earned by each parent and each parent's amount of parenting time may factor into the calculations. Parents may also be required to share additional expenses for children, such as medical insurance or education-related costs.
• College expenses - While child support is no longer required after a child reaches the age of 18 or graduates from high school, parents may be required to help pay for the costs of attending college, including tuition, room, board, fees, books and supplies, transportation, medical insurance, and other related expenses.