Divorced or separated parents in Illinois tend to share parental rights and responsibilities. Some parents work out their own arrangements through mutual cooperation. Others litigate and ask a judge to decide what is appropriate.
In either scenario, there is a parenting plan outlining the overall division of parenting time and legal authority between the adults and the family. Eventually, it may be necessary to go back to court to modify or adjust the current plan for the family.
What are some of the situations that may make a modification necessary?
1. A proposed move
If a parent relocates to a different address, the change in living circumstances can directly influence the most appropriate way to divide parenting time. Regular custody exchanges can be much more challenging when there is more distance between parental households. Especially if the move is out of the school district or state, a modification is likely necessary to accommodate the move.
2. A new relationship
When either parent begins living with a new partner or marries a new spouse, that shift in family dynamics can drastically alter the most appropriate way to divide parental rights and responsibilities. Especially if they knew partner has children of their own or a history of criminal activity, significant modifications may be necessary to accommodate one parent’s new relationship status.
3. Safety concerns
Some modification requests follow incidents of violence within the family. Other times, concerns about new or worsening addiction issues could lead to a modification request. If a parent has left young children on attended, transported the children while intoxicated or otherwise made unsafe choices, the courts may decide that reducing their parenting time is the best option available.
Parents can modify parenting arrangements either through litigation or through cooperation. Reviewing a current parenting plan and recent changes in family circumstances with a skilled legal team can help parents adjust their arrangements effectively.