Sharing parental rights and responsibilities typically means accepting a specific division of parenting time. Parents who live in separate households but share children in Illinois typically follow specific schedules as outlined in a court order. They split the week and may even divide their holidays.
However, parents do not necessarily always receive the full amount of parenting time that they expect. In some cases, issues may arise that force the cancellation of their scheduled parenting session or visitation. The parent denied time with their children may hope to make up for that lost opportunity.
What scenarios allow parents to request makeup parenting sessions with their children?
When cancellations come from the other parent
Generally speaking, a parent who cancels their own time with their children due to job demands or health issues does not have the right to demand that the other parent sacrifice their scheduled time with the children later. However, if the other parent canceled the visitation or parenting session, then the parent denied access can reasonably expect to schedule makeup time.
If the parent who canceled the other parent’s time refuses to allow them to reschedule their time, then the matter may need to go to court. Ordering makeup parenting time is one of the many remedies that a family law judge can offer in scenarios where violations of a parenting arrangement have occurred.
Documenting canceled sessions can help parents who share parental rights and responsibilities preserve a close connection with their children. Records of repeat cancellations can help frustrated parents if they must petition the courts to ask for makeup parenting time due to the conduct of the other parent.