What Are the Pros and Cons of Shared Parental Responsibilities?

 Posted on August 29, 2023 in parenting plan

Joint custody is now known as parental responsibility. It is often associated with co-parenting, where both parents have an active role in the child's life. Divorce and a separation between two people is hard for everyone, but it is especially hard for the children involved.

Parental responsibilities and parenting time ensure the child's well-being. Knowing the pros and cons of shared parental responsibilities is important. The help of an experienced family law attorney can help you navigate this process and keep you knowledgeable about what is going on.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Shared Parental Responsibilities?

Shared parental responsibilities can benefit the mental health of all parties involved. It also helps develop a balanced environment for everyone. Here are a few other key advantages of shared parental responsibilities for the child and both parents:

• Higher probability of a better relationship between both parents
• Shared responsibility between parents 
• Healthier emotional well-being
• Equal contribution to finances 
• Adaptable to varying needs
  

Parental responsibility cases can be resolved through mediation when both parents agree, or the court can mandate it. The following are two obstacles that could happen with shared parental responsibilities:

• Issues with scheduling and changes in routine 
• More potential for emotional conflict and disagreements
  

What Is a Parenting Plan? 

A parenting plan is a written document that specifies who and how decisions will be made about the child. Both parents can create and file their separate parenting plans if there is a disagreement. But if both parents agree on parental responsibilities, they can file a parenting plan together. A parenting plan lists the following: 

• Child’s living situation
• Parenting time between each parent
• Each parent's access to the child’s information and records

What Is the Difference Between Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time?

Parental responsibilities and Parenting time is divided into decision-making authority and parenting time. The court system refers to this as significant decision-making responsibility, which includes: 

• Education
• Healthcare
• Extracurricular activities
• Religion

Parenting time is the time a child spends with each parent. Usually, both parents are awarded parenting time, but whether it is equal depends on the circumstances and what the judge deems within the child’s best interest. 

Contact an Arlington Heights, IL Family Law Attorney

Our qualified family law attorney at Law Offices of Donald J. Cosley understands how parental responsibility laws work in Illinois. They can help you negotiate the terms of the agreement and navigate the choppy waters of parental responsibilities. A Rolling Meadows, IL family law attorney can help you decide the best course of action and create your parenting plan. Please call us at 847-253-3100 for a free consultation.