Many people who have gone through the divorce process can tell you that the hardest part often comes after the judge signs the document formalizing the dissolution of the marriage. This document, which some people refer to as a divorce decree, outlines certain aspects of what your new life will become. In addition to the division of marital property and child support determinations, the document may also provide an allocation of parental responsibilities.
Getting divorced implies going through various lifestyle changes, and some of them may impact the parenting you have in mind for your children. If everything goes smoothly, you and your former spouse will find common ground in terms of parenting, but this is never guaranteed. A seasoned Aurora divorce attorney can tell you that post-divorce parenting conflicts are more common than anyone expects. It is not unusual for divorced individuals to deviate from agreements and court orders related to parenting.
It is not reasonable to assume that parenting agreements will never need to change. Children will change as they grow up, and their divorced parents will also change as they grow older. Court agreements and orders that outline the parental process can be easily changed as long as the parties agree, but what happens when there is a dispute or a lack of agreement?
In May 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a new rule to deal with minor disputes related to parenting agreements signed by former spouses. Rule 909 calls for the judicial circuits and family court divisions to appoint parenting coordinators who can help with dispute resolution without court hearings. This rule aims to reduce the burden of heavy family court dockets, but parents should know about their legal rights in these coordination meetings, particularly with regard to having their lawyers present.
Learn more about how an Aurora divorce attorney can protect you from ending up with an unfavorable outcome. Visit Keller Legal Services to learn more about family law matters in Illinois.
