Danelle Wozniak is a compassionate lawyer experienced in handling many types of family law cases including divorce, legal separation, establishing paternity, related adoptions, orders of protection, custody disputes, and child support.

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Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Parenting Time & Child Support

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities vs. “Custody”

Before the sweeping changes to the family law statutes occurred in 2016, divorcing parents with minor children had two options for custody, sole and joint. The updated family laws have created a new “kid-centric” approach for parents and the courts to consider when looking at the issues surrounding child-rearing after a divorce. Prior to January 1, 2016, in a sole custody arrangement, one parent could be granted the sole-authority for making important decisions regarding the child including medical, educational and religious issues.  Previously, under a joint custody situation, both parents would be awarded authority over such child-rearing issues and would have to consult each other to work out making decisions for their child regarding the above-named issues.  One parent was typically designated as the “custodial parent”, and such a designation gave the Court, parents, and children the impression that one parent actually had more authority than the other parent.

The intent of the updated family laws is to dispel the impression that one parent has superior rights and power over the children than the other.  The goal is to maximize parental involvement with the children and afford them the benefit of having their parents share the responsibilities of raising them.  By legislating this, parents will hopefully cooperate more with one another if neither is designated as custodial or non-custodial.  Therefore, these past notions of custody are gone, and replaced with a cooperative allocation of parental responsibilities.  The goal is to put the child’s needs and best interests first while respecting and protecting each parent’s rights.

Previously, the Court would enter a Parenting Agreement in cases of sole custody, and a Joint Parenting Agreement in cases of joint custody.  Moving forward after the new amendments, the parents are expected to enter into a Parenting Plan, and must propose such a Plan during the divorce or separation. The law now requires that the parents enter into a Parenting Time schedule. If the parents in a divorce or separation cannot agree on all of these terms, the court may use its discretion to allocate parental responsibilities between the parents as deemed to be in the child’s best interest.

Of course there will still be cases in which one parent is the more fit and proper parent to make all of the decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, and a Parenting Plan that is resembles the old “sole custody” will most likely properly protect the child’s best interests.

Parenting Time vs. “Visitation”

Under the new IMDMA guidelines, one parent will typically be granted a majority of the parenting time which can provide a child with home stability and basis for determining child support. The idea is that parents do not merely visit with their children; parents spend time with their children.  It reinforces the notion that your time with your child is not as a visitor, but as a parent who raises and actually parents your child.  Regardless of how the allocation of the parental responsibilities, the new IMDMA presumes that every parent has a right to parenting time with their child. However, the court may limit or restrict a parent’s time with the child if parenting time poses a threat or a risk to the best interests of the child.  The purpose of this it to keep the child safe physically, mentally and emotionally.

Guardian ad Litem

Sometimes in order to assist the court in examining these factors to determine the best interests of the child, the court will appoint a Guardian ad Litem for the minor child. This is usually a licensed attorney who has qualified to become a Guardian ad Litem through county certifications and works as the eyes and ears for the court. The Guardian ad Litem investigates the child’s family, parents, and those who have regular contact with the child and are involved in his or her life. The Guardian ad Litem evaluates the child’s situation and will make recommendations to the court regarding issues such as custody, visitation, and removal from the State, if that is at issue. In most cases, the Court will order both parents to equally share the cost of the Guardian ad Litem. However, depending on the income situations of the parties and circumstances of the custody litigation, the Court can assign a lesser or greater share of the expense to one of the parties.

Child Support

Child support is designed as a way for a parent who does not have majority parenting time living with them to financially support that child as though the parties had been married and pooling their incomes together to raise that child. Child support obligations are based on an obligor’s net income from all sources.

On July 1, 2017, Illinois adopted a new child support calculation guidelines based on income sharing in which both parents shall owe a duty of support regardless of with whom the children reside and the amounts paid will be off-set.

The obligor parent paying child support may be ordered to contribute financially to health insurance, daycare expenses, educational expenses, and extracurricular expenses of the minor children.

Contact Attorney Danelle Wozniak for further clarification on child support and visitation matters.

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Family Law Practice Areas

Whether you are facing marriage difficulties or have found yourself in the position of a defendant in our court system, Danelle can help sort out the facts and present favorable options.

Divorce

The legal term for a “Divorce” in the State of Illinois is “Dissolution of Marriage.” Whether you are contemplating this step or the legal process has already begun, you may have questions and concerns about your rights. 

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Custody

Often the most emotional issue that arises in a divorce case is custody of the children. Illinois operates with two types of custody situations, joint custody and sole custody. Most cases are resolved by agreement  ...

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Paternity

Paternity is the legal establishment of a relationship between a father and a child. Paternity cases deal with children that are born out of wedlock and establish the father and child relationship.

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