There’s a common misconception that as one parent is given sole custody of their child, the non-custodial spouse’s relationship with the child inevitably will be compromised. That isn’t correct. With suitably drafted visitation and parenting time agreements, relationships in between non-custodial parents and the children may be secured, preserved and strengthened. The key to this type of arrangement depends upon the attorney’s capability of drafting an agreement which effectively will address and consider the needs of the youngster, the family and parents as a whole. The Law Offices of Michael C. Craven closely works with clients at drafting any visitation schedule with an emphases on maximizing involvement within the child’s life.
The issue of parenting time and visitation is governed by Sec. 607 of Illinois Marriage & Dissolution of Marriage Act inside the State of Illinois. This statute provides that a non-custodial parent has equal rights to reasonable parenting time and visitation as the custodial parent who has the minor child. It’s critical that you comprehend that this statute provides that this parenting time is a right, and not a privilege. A non-custodial parent can’s be deprived of or denied parenting time or visitation unless a court finds, after the hearing, that visitation seriously would harm the child’s emotional, moral, mental, or physical health.
Parenting time or visitation schedules are more than often determined by the practical considerations and unique needs of every family involved. Those considerations might include, but not limited to:
- Distance between the non-custodial and custodial parents’ homes
- Transportation arrangements
- Parents’ respective work schedules
- The child’s extra-curricular and academic schedules
Also, it’s important that you know that the visitation and parenting time rights of the non-custodial parent are in no way connected with the child support payment. They’re two separate and distinct legal problems.
Also, section 607 of the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act awards reasonable visitation privileges to grandparents, siblings, and great grandparents of all minor children if the court decides that it’s in the best welfare and interests of the child. A court, as such, might issue all necessary orders that will enforce these types of visitation privileges.
To learn more on our Parenting Time Lawyer in Chicago, contact Michael C. Craven at +1 312-621-5234.
