Handling Long-Distance Visitation

Illinois Visitation Attorney

Working out a shared parenting time schedule can be difficult under the best of circumstances, but when long distances are involved, it becomes much more complex. The schedule of visitation should depend on the child’s age, the needs of the child, and what works for the parents.

Illinois child visitation guidelines are flexible; as long as you and your co-parent are in agreement, you can come up with any visitation schedule that suits your lifestyles and that of your children. If you are not in agreement, it helps to have a lawyer on your side.

The compassionate and experienced Illinois family-law attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., recognize that children’s well-being is paramount. We offer a free consultation to examine your individual situation and help devise visitation solutions that are best for you and your children.

Working out a shared parenting schedule is challenging even when both parents live in the same city. Creating a long-distance visitation schedule requires you to balance each family member’s logistical needs while still doing what’s best for your child. If you aren’t sure how to create a schedule that works for everyone, a family law attorney can help.

Standard Long-Distance Schedules

Long-distance visitation creates problems in direct proportion to the distances involved. It’s easier to create visitation schedules when distances are drivable. When flying is necessary, there are many factors to consider. In addition to deciding who will travel with or transport the child, you will need to decide on who is going to pay for travel expenses, who is in charge of making travel arrangements, where the visiting parent will stay, etc.

While parents have the opportunity to create a unique visitation schedule that best suits their needs, here are some examples you can consider and build upon:

  • The child spends spring and/or winter break with the non-custodial parent each year, and one month of or the entire summer vacation with the non-custodial parent.
  • The child will spend Thanksgiving vacation (from Wednesday to Sunday) with the non-custodial parent every other year and on alternate years will spend seven days of Christmas vacation (to include Christmas Day) with the non-custodial parent.
  • The non-custodial parent shall be allowed to visit the child for periods of up to five consecutive days up to five times throughout the year, after giving a two-week notice of the visit.

Long holidays should be shared or given to the nonresidential parent whenever possible, since the nonresidential parent is not able to have the child for short holidays.

Need help creating a schedule both parents can agree on? Call Wolfe & Stec, Ltd., at 630-305-0222 or get in touch with us online today for a free consultation.

Factors to Consider When Creating a Schedule

Finding What’s Best for Your Family

In creating the best schedule for both parents and children, consider the following factors:

  • Age: Babies and toddlers forget easily, so they need to see each parent as frequently as possible. Older children are more flexible, but teenagers need a schedule that fits with their social life and activities.
  • The child’s temperament and special needs: How easy is it for the child to receive needed medical care and support during visitation, and how does the child adjust to switching between parents’ homes?
  • Travel time and costs: The distance between the parents’ homes, costs of travel and traveling time determine what schedules are practical.
  • Each parent’s schedule and lifestyle: You and your ex have to schedule parenting time around each parent’s work schedule and other obligations.
  • The relationship between the parents: If you are in a high-conflict situation, it’s best to make a schedule that is consistent and requires less communication.
  • Your child’s preferences: If your children are old enough and mature enough, consider their needs and preferences for parenting time schedules.
  • Any history of abuse or violence: If there is a history of substance abuse, illegal activities, or physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, you need to get the courts involved to have only supervised visitation. Parents who are incarcerated maintain some of their legal rights to visitation.

What if Both Parents Can’t Agree?

Creating a long-distance visitation schedule isn’t easy. But if you and the other parent are committed to finding a solution that works for everyone, it’s doable. Unfortunately, if your relationship is very strained or you otherwise cannot come to an agreement, the process gets a little more complicated.

If collaboratively creating a plan proves to be impossible, each parent will need to file a proposed parenting plan with the court. A family court judge will decide which plan is best for the child. This is what’s known as a parental responsibilities case (formerly called a child custody case).

Illinois gives parents 120 days after requesting custody to file a parenting plan with the court. You’ll need to fill out a standard form that asks you to include the following:

  • Which parent will make significant decisions for the child (or whether both parents will)
  • Who the child will stay with on each day of the week
  • Who the child will stay with on school breaks and holidays
  • How the child will be transported to and from each visit
  • Where the child will be picked up and dropped off
  • How each parent will communicate with the child when the child is with the other parent.

It’s never a bad idea to have the help of a family law attorney when creating a parenting plan. When you and the other parent can’t agree on a plan, working with a lawyer is essential. Your lawyer will be able to help you create a thorough, realistic parenting plan that’s more likely to be approved by a judge. If you intend to seek sole custody, your attorney can help with that.

Contact Us for Help and a Free Consultation

Co-Parenting Is Hard, but We Can Help

Since issues regarding long-distance parenting are so vital to a child’s well-being, it makes sense to seek legal counsel before agreeing to any parenting schedule. The skilled Illinois family-law attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. know the laws and the system and can guide you through the process. We represent and advise clients in all types of child custody matters, and there is no charge for your initial consultation.

Delaying can only complicate your situation, so contact us today. We represent clients in DuPage County, and throughout northern Illinois and the Chicagoland area. Your free initial consultation at our office can be scheduled either online or by calling 630-305-0222.

Attorney Natalie Stec

Natalie M. Stec, born and raised in Illinois, and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her practice has been concentrated in significant pre and post decree marital and family law cases; including custody, visitation, support, and paternity matters. She has important criminal defense experience in both misdemeanor and felony cases. She is a very dedicated and passionate litigator. [ Attorney Bio ]