Most parents in the Chicago region expect their custody and parenting plan conflicts to end once and for all when their divorce concludes. However, since parenthood is forever, there can still be disagreements and disputes over parenting time after your divorce.
When a parent violates the terms of a court-approved parenting time plan, it causes hardships for the other parent and the children they share. Many parents facing such issues fail to realize that there are legal remedies for parenting time violations.
Abuse of allocated parenting time in Illinois
A critical piece of legislation within the state family law code outlines how Illinois enforces a person’s parenting time obligations. It is known as the abuse of allocated parenting time, and it comes with consequences for the individual in violation of their plan terms.
Some of these consequences include:
- The addition of new conditions and terms to the current plan
- A court order to attend a parental education or counseling program
- An allocation of makeup parenting time to the parent harmed by the violations
- The possibility of being placed on probation
- A court order to reimburse the petitioning parent for their expenses (fees, court costs, etc.)
- An order to post a cash bond to ensure future compliance
- A contempt of court ruling, potentially leading to fines, driver’s license suspension and imprisonment
As you can see, family courts in our state will help you remedy your situation if your co-parent violates your parenting time plan. Learning more about child custody and parenting time laws can strengthen your petition. Legal guidance can also improve your chances of finding the best solution.