Modifying Parenting Time After a Parental Relocation

 Posted on January 27,2021 in Child Custody & Allocation of Parental Responsibility

Getting divorced and moving to a new location are both significant sources of stress in a person’s life, and the stress can be compounded when one happens soon after the other. A parent seeking to move with his or her children after a divorce is often especially complicated, as it can have a major impact on the other parent and his or her ability to maintain a relationship with the children.

In Illinois, parents who intend to relocate a certain distance away from their children’s current residence must obtain approval from the other parent or the court, but in most cases, this approval is just the beginning of the legal action necessary for the relocation to take place. Parents will also often need to consider substantial modifications to their current parenting plan or agreement, especially regarding parenting time.

Long-Distance Parenting Time Considerations

Parents who live within easy driving distance of each other can often share parenting time on a regular basis with few complications, and it may even make sense to have an arrangement in which both parents have significant time on both weekends and weeknights throughout the year. However, this type of arrangement usually becomes infeasible when parents live many miles apart, both due to the costs and time spent traveling as well as the interruptions to the children’s routine.

However, in most cases, it is still important to ensure that both parents have quality time with their children even when they live far apart from each other. Here are some suggestions for modifying your parenting plan that can make this possible:

• Make use of longer school breaks. Rather than regularly alternating weekends or weeknights, long-distance co-parents may benefit from an arrangement in which the children primarily live with one parent during the school year and with the other during summer break, perhaps with the occasional weekend visit.

• Incorporate virtual communication. Explicitly including virtual communication in your parenting plan can ensure that your children have a regularly scheduled time to call or video chat with their other parent without detracting from their time with the parent with whom they are currently staying.

• Establish a travel routine. Whether travel between homes happens by car, plane, or some other means, it is important to plan ahead so that the exchange goes smoothly and you, your spouse, and your children understand what to expect.

Contact a St. Charles Divorce Attorney

It may be difficult for your family to adjust to relocation after a divorce, but with compromise and a thoughtful parenting plan, it is possible to make it work. The knowledgeable and compassionate Kane County parental relocation attorneys at Weiler & Associates, Inc. can help you protect the interests of you and your children and pursue an arrangement that meets your needs. Contact us today at 630-331-9110 to schedule a private consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/075000050K609.2.htm

https://www.custodyxchange.com/topics/plans/special-circumstances/long-distance-plan.php

https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/blog/creating-perfect-long-distance-parenting-plan