Aurora, IL Parenting Time Attorneys

Knowledgeable Lawyers Helping Create Parenting Time Schedules in Aurora, Illinois Child Custody Cases

When a couple with children decides to end their marriage through divorce, or when unmarried parents choose to end their relationship, their children may be caught in the middle. Both parents will want to maintain healthy relationships with their children, but doing so can be challenging when children will be dividing their time between the parents' homes. By establishing parenting time schedules as part of their parenting plan, parents can provide stability for their children in the years to come.

At The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we take the rights of parents seriously while also focusing on protecting the best interests of children during divorce and child custody cases. With more than 20 years of family law experience, we work hard to help parents negotiate parenting time schedules that will meet their children's needs while ensuring that each parent can play a significant role in their children's lives.

Parenting Time Matters to Children

For decades, Illinois law guaranteed parents the reasonable right to visitation with their children in situations where the other parent had been granted primary physical custody. The law was well-intentioned, as it sought to ensure that a parent would be able to maintain a relationship with their child, regardless of whether they were married, divorced, or separated. Unfortunately, the terminology and approach used in the law often had the unintended consequence of making a parent with "visitation" rights feel like an outsider who was only able to see their children temporarily rather than having full parental rights.

With this in mind, the law was updated several years ago to replace the concept of "visitation" with the more inclusive idea of "parenting time." Now, time that either parent spends with their children is referred to as parenting time, with neither parent being considered the primary or custodial parent. This approach is meant to be more reflective of the rights and responsibilities that come with being a parent while ensuring that all parents can fully participate in raising their children.

Some judges and local courts may offer suggested parenting time schedules for divorcing parents, but the law itself does not provide any standardized parenting time arrangements. This means that the parents may develop a workable schedule on their own. If they cannot do so, the court will devise a parenting time schedule by considering the arrangements that will provide for the child's best interests.

With our knowledge of Illinois law and our client-focused approach, our lawyers can help you create an arrangement for parenting time that serves your child's needs while protecting your rights. The distance between the parents' homes, each parent's work schedule, and the child's involvement in school and extracurricular activities must all be considered when developing a parenting time schedule. With our help, you can ensure that you can be there to provide the care your children need going forward.

Aurora Lawyers Protecting Parents' Rights

While an equal, 50/50 split of parenting time may work for some parents, other arrangements may be put in place in which children will stay with one parent the majority of the time. If you are concerned that you may have limited time with your child, or if your former partner is interfering with your scheduled parenting time, our attorneys can help you take action to protect your rights.

We know that navigating the legal system can be intimidating, particularly if you feel that you have not been treated fairly in the past. You deserve to have parenting time with your child that was promised in your parenting plan. If you have been denied access to your child, or if other violations of parenting time arrangements have occurred, we will work with you to determine your options for enforcement, or we may be able to file a request for a modification of your existing plan.

Parenting Time Restrictions

If you have any reason to believe that your child is in danger when he or she spends time with the other parent, it is important for you to speak up and take action. Under Illinois law, the court has the authority to place restrictions on a parent's time with their child if the parent is deemed to present a serious physical, emotional, moral, or psychological danger to the child. Our attorneys understand the grave nature of situations such as these, and we can assist you in seeking restrictions on the other parent's parenting time so that your child will remain safe.

Contact Our Aurora Parenting Time Lawyers

If you have questions about parenting time, parenting plans, or other child custody issues, The Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C. can provide the answers you need. Call 630-409-8184 or contact our Aurora, IL parenting time attorneys for a free, confidential consultation.