Parents who share custody of their children sometimes find that life changes impact their parenting. When this happens, the parenting plan that once fit the family’s needs may no longer serve the best interests of the child. If you need to modify your existing plan, an experienced Orland Park, IL child custody lawyer can guide you through the process and help you understand what the court requires to make a change.
Understanding Custody Agreements Under Illinois Law
In Illinois, the law uses the term “allocation of parental responsibilities” rather than “custody.” This includes both decision-making authority and parenting time. Once a parenting plan has been entered by the court, it is legally binding.
Under 750 ILCS 5/610.5(a) of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, courts generally require parents to wait two years before filing a request to change decision-making authority. Parenting time, however, can sometimes be adjusted sooner if there is a good reason.