Parenting Time in Cook County, Illinois

Divorce or separation brings major changes for children, and you must decide how you and the other parent will share time with them. In Illinois, the law calls this “parenting time.” Courts follow specific guidelines under 750 ILCS 5/602.7 when parents cannot agree, always putting the child’s best interests first.

How Courts Decide Parenting Time

When you and the other parent cannot agree, a Cook County judge reviews several factors to create a schedule that supports your child’s well-being and maintains strong relationships with both parents.

  1. The Child’s Wishes:
    If your child is mature enough to express a thoughtful preference, the court considers it. Older and more mature children typically carry more influence.
  2. Parental Wishes:
    The court considers what each parent wants but balances those wishes against the child’s best interests.
  3. Past Caretaking:
    The judge looks at how much time each parent spent caring for the child—such as feeding, helping with school, and daily care—over the past two years or since birth for younger children.
  4. Prior Agreements:
    The court reviews any past arrangements or patterns between parents to understand how caregiving has worked.
  5. Relationships:
    The judge evaluates the child’s relationship with each parent, siblings, and other important people like stepparents or relatives.
  6. Adjustment and Stability:
    The court considers how well the child has adjusted to home, school, and community and aims to minimize disruption.
  7. Health of Everyone Involved:
    The mental and physical health of the child and both parents can affect the parenting schedule.
  8. Child’s Needs:
    The court focuses on your child’s unique emotional, physical, and developmental needs.
  9. Practical Factors:
    The judge weighs logistics like distance between homes, transportation, schedules, and each parent’s ability to cooperate.
  10. Safety Concerns and Restrictions:
    The court may limit parenting time if there is:

    • Violence or threats
    • Abuse
    • A parent with a sex offense history
  11. Putting the Child First:
    The judge looks at each parent’s willingness to prioritize the child’s needs over their own.
  12. Supporting the Other Parent Relationship:
    Courts strongly favor parents who encourage a healthy relationship between the child and the other parent.
  13. Military Service:
    Special rules apply if a parent is deployed in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Get the Right Guidance

You can make parenting time one of the most challenging parts of a divorce—but you don’t have to handle it alone. An experienced Cook County family law attorney can help you understand your options, protect your child’s best interests, and build a parenting plan that creates stability and support for your family.