Going through a divorce with children presents challenges in all circumstances. But if you or your spouse will be moving away after your divorce, this can make your divorce even more challenging than it otherwise would be. In this scenario, you will need to develop a long-distance custody arrangement—and while you will need to make sure this arrangement works for you, you will ultimately need to focus on making sure it serves your children’s best interests.

Developing a long-distance custody arrangement involves all of the same considerations as developing a custody arrangement when divorcing spouses will live close together. However, in this scenario, these are not the only considerations involved. Divorcing spouses who will be living far apart after their divorce must take this into account when deciding how to divide parenting time and deal with the various other aspects of post-divorce parenting.

7 Special Considerations for Developing a Long-Distance Custody Arrangement

Here are some examples of the additional considerations involved in developing a long-distance custody arrangement during a divorce in Illinois:

1. Taking Travel Time Into Account When Developing Your Routine Parenting Schedule

Travel time can have a major impact on long-distance custody arrangements. If the amount of time it takes to travel between the parents’ homes is significant, this could influence their decision-making regarding their weekly or monthly schedule.

For example, while visiting with one parent every other weekend might make sense if the parents were going to live close together after their divorce, if visiting requires an airplane trip or a full or half-day car ride, then a longer visit once a month may be better for everyone. Or, if divorcing parents are considering equal parenting time (which may only work for young children who are not yet in school), then it might be better to alternate weeks as opposed to each parent getting half of each week. These are just two of numerous possibilities.

2. Taking Travel Expenses Into Account When Developing Your Routine Parenting Schedule

Along with taking travel time into account when developing a long-distance custody arrangement, divorcing parents will need to take travel expenses into account as well. Travel expenses can add up quickly, and divorcing parents will need to decide who is going to cover these expenses during the divorce process.

Oftentimes, the parent who moves away will assume responsibility for the costs of custody-related travel. But, this is not the only option, and the parents’ child support and alimony obligations may come into play here as well. Ultimately, as with all aspects of the divorce process, divorcing parents need to do everything they can to ensure that they are considering all relevant factors and that they are developing a plan that will work for everyone long-term.

3. Addressing Holidays, Birthdays, and Other Special Events

Beyond addressing their routine parenting schedule, divorcing parents who are planning for long-distance custody will also need to address holidays, birthdays, and other special events. Regardless of whether they will be living far apart, parents will typically make special provisions for these events during the divorce process.

Here too, there are several possibilities. Divorcing parents can agree that they will alternate holidays, alternate years, have their children for certain events, or make any other arrangements that make sense for their specific circumstances. In some cases, it may make sense for divorced parents who will be living far apart to consider co-parenting for these events as well.

4. Making Travel Arrangements for Your Children

When planning for long-distance custody after a divorce, it is also important to consider the practicalities of making travel arrangements for your children during the divorce process. If one parent will be driving, this may be relatively straightforward. However, if your children will need to fly, it will be important to ensure that you and your spouse have a plan for who will make travel arrangements and that you establish timing and other parameters for your children’s travel.  

5. Incorporating Virtual Visits Into Your Post-Divorce Parenting Plan

It is becoming increasingly common for divorced parents who have long-distance custody arrangements to incorporate virtual visits into their post-divorce parenting plans. If you think that incorporating virtual visits into your post-divorce parenting plan might be a good option, your divorce lawyer can explain what this entails. Generally speaking, just like in-person visits, virtual visits should be regularly scheduled, and neither parent should attempt to interfere with the other’s parenting time.

6. Making Age-Specific Decisions Regarding Custody, Parenting Time, and Travel

With long-distance custody arrangements, it can be important for divorcing parents to make age-specific decisions regarding custody, parenting time, and travel. For example, while sharing equal parenting time might make sense for children who aren’t yet in school, this could be impractical for school-age children who need to be in school during the week. Likewise, while older children might be able to travel on their own, this obviously isn’t an option for young children who need a parent by their side.

7. Ensuring Effective Communication After Your Divorce

Finally, while being able to communicate effectively is important for all divorced parents, it is especially important for divorced parents who have long-distance custody arrangements. If your children will be more than just a short drive away, you need to know that you will be able to get in touch when you need to—provided that you are not improperly interfering with your former spouse’s parenting time. Likewise, you need to know that you will receive information about injuries and any other significant events in your children’s lives as well. Just like the other aspects of a long-distance custody, communication is a topic that you can (and should) address in your post-divorce parenting plan.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with Gurnee, IL Divorce Lawyer Deanna J. Bowen

Do you need to know more about developing a long-distance custody arrangement during the divorce process in Illinois? If so, we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a free initial consultation with Gurnee, IL divorce lawyer Deanna J. Bowen, please call 847-503-0785 or contact us online today.