Coparenting: The New Norm for Child Custody

 Posted on May 23, 2026 in Child Custody and Support

Couples who are separated but have children together typically opt to co-parent. Illinois courts encourage them to do so. This allows both parents to continue to have a relationship with their kids, which greatly benefits the children. Research from PLOS One found that children in shared parenting arrangements perform equally well compared to children in intact families across academic, emotional, psychological, and behavioral measures.

Co-parenting does come with unique requirements and challenges, though. Being aware of what is expected by the law in 2026 can help you go into custody discussions prepared. A Geneva, IL custody attorney can help you understand what Illinois courts look for when setting up a family for shared custody.

How Does Illinois Law Approach Shared Custody?

Several years ago, Illinois replaced the traditional "custody" and "visitation" framework with a new system. This system focuses on "allocation of parental responsibilities" and "parenting time."

Parental responsibilities refer to decision-making authority for significant areas of a child's life. These include education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities. The law under 750 ILCS 5/602.5 allows a court to give these responsibilities to both parents or to one parent, depending on what serves the child's best interests. Joint decision-making is common when parents can communicate well (even if they don’t agree on every issue).

Parenting time refers to the physical schedule – when the child is with each parent. Under 750 ILCS 5/602.7, courts make decisions about parenting time based on the child's best interests. They consider factors like:

• Each parent's involvement in the child's life before the separation
• The child's adjustment to home and school
• Each parent's willingness to support the child's relationship with the other parent
• The distance between each parent's home

The two systems can influence each other, but they operate separately. For example, a parent can have equal parenting time but less decision-making authority in a specific area, or vice versa.

Do Parents Choose Their Own Co-Parenting Plan in Illinois?

Illinois courts strongly prefer that parents reach their own agreement on parenting arrangements. The court will generally approve a plan that both parents have agreed to, as long as it's in the child's best interests.

A well-drafted parenting plan addresses a child’s regular schedule. It should also cover holidays and school breaks, how major decisions will be made, how communication between parents will work, and what happens if one parent wants to move.

How you will resolve conflicts should also be in your plan. More important than the schedule is often the way you and your co-parent communicate. You will probably need to talk to each other when exchanging your child or making arrangements for special events like vacations. Problems and emergencies will also come up at some point. Being able to resolve these is as important as having a workable schedule.

What Schedules Do Co-Parents Generally Use?

There's no single standard schedule, but there are some that generally tend to work. Families in Kane County often use a week-on, week-off rotation. This gives both parents substantial time with the child and limits transitions. Others prefer a 2-2-3 schedule (two days with one parent, two days with the other, then three days alternating). This works better for younger children who benefit from more frequent contact with both parents.

What Happens if Parents Can't Agree on a Parenting Plan?

When agreement on a parenting plan isn't possible, the court steps in. Each parent will have the opportunity to present evidence about their involvement in the child's life and the child's needs. They will explain why their proposed arrangement serves the child better. Courts may also appoint a guardian ad litem or a child's representative to do an independent assessment of the child's best interests.

Courts may order mediation before scheduling a hearing. Mediation involves an outside professional who helps couples discuss issues and work towards compromises. The mediator doesn’t act like an attorney and build a case for either spouse. Their job is to help parents bridge the gap between their different ideas of what is best for their child.

What Should Parents Know Before Going to Court for Custody Issues in Illinois?

The most important thing to understand is that courts are not looking to reward or punish either parent. Their only job is to find an arrangement that will best serve the child. A parent who can show consistent involvement, a stable home environment, and a commitment to supporting the child's relationship with the other parent is in a strong position for custody issues.

Documentation can help here. Records of school pickup and drop-offs, medical appointments, extracurricular activities, and day-to-day caregiving can all show a parent’s involvement.

Call Our Kane County, IL Parental Responsibilities Attorney Today

There’s much to keep track of in a custody case, but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our Geneva, IL child custody lawyers offer the kind of highly personalized attention that only a boutique firm can provide. We are trained in collaborative law, but also ready and willing to go to court if needed. Contact The Law Offices of Douglas B. Warlick & Associates at 630-232-9700 to schedule your initial consultation.