Creating a Parenting Plan for an Unborn Child

 Posted on May 23, 2024 in Child Custody / Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Spouses in Illinois can get divorced while one of them is pregnant. However, expecting parents who are divorcing might be required to create a parenting plan for their unborn child. A parenting plan covers things like which parent will spend time with the child and when and who will have legal decision-making rights with regard to the child. Deciding who has decision-making rights - called parental responsibilities in Illinois - may be especially important when you have a newborn. You must be represented by a knowledgeable Naperville, IL child custody attorney if you are getting divorced while you or your spouse is pregnant.

Child Custody Issues for Expecting Parents

A few of the things you will need to think about when making a parenting plan for a child who is not yet born include:

• Decision-making at the time of birth - Will your child get the vitamin K shot upon birth? If you have a boy, will he be circumcised before leaving the hospital? What other types of medical interventions would you accept or not accept at the time of your child’s birth? Which parent can consent to which procedures on behalf of the newborn? 
• Planning for breastfeeding - If the birthing parent plans to breastfeed the infant, this will likely be an important factor in parenting time decisions. If the plan is to feed by putting baby to breast, it may make more sense to keep the mother and baby together full time for the first few months and allow the other parent to come and spend time with the baby in the mother’s home. Otherwise, consider the logistics of transporting expressed breast milk and whether supplementing with formula if expressed breastmilk is not enough will be acceptable. 
• Family leave and childcare - How much time away from work will each of you get? What arrangements do you have for childcare if you must both return to work soon after the birth?
• What if your baby has special needs? Even if all prenatal testing thus far suggests that you will have a healthy baby, there is always some underlying risk that an uncaught condition or a birth injury will mean that your child will have special needs. How will you prepare for this possibility? 
• Can you live in the same house temporarily? - Parents of newborns may benefit from continuing to cohabitate for the first few months of their baby’s life so they can divide childcare duties. Is living in the same house but having separate bedrooms an option? 

Contact a Naperville, IL Parenting Plans Attorney

Calabrese Associates, P.C. is dedicated to helping expecting parents create strong and flexible parenting plans that fully account for their child’s needs. Experienced DuPage County, IL parenting plan lawyer Michael J. Calabrese is renowned for his knowledge of child custody issues and lectures on family law matters. Contact us at 630-393-3111 for a confidential consultation.