Can I Request a Parenting Plan Modification Due to a New Work Schedule?

 Posted on April 28, 2025 in Family Law

Life does not always stay the same after a divorce or parenting agreement is finalized. One common change many parents experience is a shift in their work schedule. Whether you are starting a new job, picking up more hours, or moving to a different shift, you might wonder how this affects your parenting time. Illinois allows you to request a modification to your parenting plan if your new work schedule makes it hard to follow the current arrangement. If you are wondering how parenting plans can adapt, a knowledgeable Illinois family law attorney has answers and can explain your options.

What Is Included In an Illinois Parenting Plan?

A parenting plan is a legal agreement outlining how parents are expected to divide time with the child and share responsibilities. It includes where the child lives, how holidays are spent, and who makes major decisions that impact the child. Once this plan is approved by the court, both parents are expected to follow it. But life changes, and sometimes the plan needs to change too.

When Can You Ask for a Change to Your Parenting Plan?

In Illinois, you can ask the court to modify your parenting plan if there has been a significant change in circumstances. A major change in your work schedule can qualify as a suitable time to seek a modification. For example, if you start working overnight shifts or get a new job that requires weekend travel, that might make it hard to follow your current parenting time.

The court will look at whether the change is real and not temporary, and whether it affects your ability to care for your child during your assigned time. If so, the court may consider changing the schedule to something more practical.

While it is possible to be granted a modification, it is important that you do everything in your power to follow your parenting plan until the court approves of a change. If you fail to do so, you could face serious legal trouble for violating a court order.

What Will the Court Consider?

The most important thing the court examines is whether changing the parenting plan will serve the child’s best interests. Even if your new job is important to you, the court wants to make sure your child’s life stays as stable as possible. The judge may consider:

• Your new work hours and how they affect your availability

• Whether the other parent is willing to be flexible

• How the change will impact the child’s school, activities, and routines

• Whether you and the other parent are still able to communicate and work together

It is also helpful if both parents agree on the change. If you and your co-parent can work out a new schedule and present it to the court, the process of being granted a modification can be faster, smoother, and less stressful.

Contact an Arlington Heights, IL Child Custody Lawyer

If changes to your job mean you can no longer follow your parenting plan, you may be able to request a modification. The court will want to know how your new schedule affects your parenting time and whether the change is in your child’s best interests. A qualified Illinois family law attorney can guide you through the process and help you protect your relationship with your child as life moves forward.

At A. Traub & Associates, we are dedicated to helping families move past stressful and challenging periods so they can move forward toward a brighter future. Call us at 847-749-4182 to schedule your initial consultation so we can review your situation and advise you on how to proceed.