IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE NINETEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS ) ) _______________________________________ ) Petitioner, ) vs. ) ) ) _______________________________________ ) Respondent. ) Gen No. ________________ JOINT PARENTING AGREEMENT By this agreement, ______________________________, and ________________________________, (Petitioner's Full Name) (Respondent's Full Name) the parents of minor child(ren) listed below, agree that they will serve as joint custodians and that they will jointly discuss and determine all major decisions concerning the child(ren), including but not limited to decisions in the following areas: a. Education; b. Choice of and attendance at after school care and religious services; c. Medical care and choice of physicians, dentists, and other medical professionals; d. All other significant non-emergency questions relating to the health, welfare, and education of the child(ren); e. In cases of medical emergency, decisions shall be handled as provided in Part C, paragraph 8 below. Part A. Statement of Facts and Intentions 1. The parents are the natural or adoptive parents of: ; Date of Birth (mmddyyyy): ; Date of Birth (mmddyyyy): ; Date of Birth (mmddyyyy): ; Date of Birth (mmddyyyy): ; Date of Birth (mmddyyyy): ; Date of Birth (mmddyyyy): 2. Both parents are fit and proper persons to have joint custody of their minor child(ren). 3. The residential circumstances of each parent favors an award of joint custody. 4. The parents possess the ability to cooperate effectively and consistently with each other toward the best interests of the child(ren). 5. The best interest of the child(ren) require the maximum involvement and cooperation of both parents regarding the physical, mental, moral and emotional well-being of the child(ren). 6. (a) (b) There have been no Orders of Protection, criminal proceedings, or issues of abuse involving the parents, or The parties represent to the court that issues of family abuse have been resolved and that they believe they are able to cooperate effectively and consistently with each other towards the best interests of the child(ren). Part B. Residence and Visitation 1. The child(ren) shall live primarily with who shall have the responsibility for making the daily medical and educational decisions concerning the child(ren). shall have visitation with the minor child(ren) as follows: 2. Non-Residential Parent American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com Page 1 of 3 174-CSR202 (R04-06) Check all that apply a. Every b. Each weekend or from am/pm to am/pm. Alternating weekends. Friday at __________ am/pm to Saturday at __________ am/pm Friday at __________ am/pm to Sunday at _________ am/pm Saturday at ________ am/pm to Sunday at __________ am/pm Saturday at ________ am/pm to Saturday at ________ am/pm Sunday at _________ am/pm to Sunday at ________ am/pm c. Major holidays shall be divided as follows: Major holidays New Years Day Easter Memorial Day 4th of July Labor Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Eve Christmas Day Other: Even-numbered years Odd-numbered years _ (including other special days, holidays and /or religious observances) d. Extended school vacation periods such as summer vacation, spring break, winter break and Thanksgiving weekend (be specific as to start and end times): e. When there is a conflict between holiday visitation and other visitation periods, the provision for holiday visitation shall control with no requirement for makeup visitation. Unless otherwise Specified, holiday visitation shall begin on the holiday at: ____ am/pm and end at ____ am/pm. f. Mother’s Day shall always be with mother and Father’s Day shall always be with father. g. Other ___. 3. This visitation agreement commences on: _________________ (date) 4. Visitation Transportation Each parent shall provide transportation one-way for visitation, or shall provide all transportation for visitation, or . Other arrangements Part C. Custody and Visitation Rules General 1. Each parent shall promptly give to the other parent any information received concerning the child(ren)’s education, including but not limited to parent/teacher conferences, school club meetings, school programs, athletic schedules, and other school activities in which the child(ren) is/are engaged. 2. Each parent shall refrain from discussing the conduct of the other parent in the presence of the child(ren). 3. Under no circumstances shall the question of child support, either as to the amount or as to the manner of transmission of payment, be raised in the presence of the child(ren). 4. Each parent shall advise the other as soon as possible if he or she is unable to keep the planned visitation with the child(ren). American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com Page 2 of 3 174-CSR202 (R04-06) 5. Neither parent shall unreasonably question the child(ren) regarding the activities of the other parent. 6. Each parent shall keep the other parent informed as to his/her address, phone number and place of employment. 7. Each parent shall at all times have reasonable telephone access to the child(ren) and the child(ren) shall at all times have reasonable telephone access to each parent. Medical/Health Care/Emergency Care 8. Upon the happening of a medical emergency, the parent with the child, or the parent first making contact with the child, shall make all necessary decisions during the emergency and shall promptly notify the other parent. 9. Each parent shall advise all health care providers and school officials that the other parent is to have access to any records concerning the child(ren) that are in the possession of such professionals. 10. Each parent shall properly inform the other parent of any serious illness or injury to a child that requires medical attention while the child is in that parent’s care. 11. Each parent shall provide the other parent with any and all medication needed by the child(ren) while the child(ren) is/are with the other parent. 12. Each parent shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner that promotes the cooperation and involvement of the other parent on any matters that concern the medical and health care of the child(ren), keeping in mind that the cooperation and involvement of both parents on issues regarding medical and health care of the child(ren) serve the best interest of the child(ren). Removal 13. The parents agree that neither parent will permanently remove the residence of the minor child(ren) from the State of Illinois without the written consent of the other parent or permission of the Court based on the best interest of the minor child(ren). Part D. Mediation and Review 1. In the event that the parents cannot agree as to any vital decisions affecting the welfare of the child(ren), the Circuit Court of Lake County, Illinois, shall retain jurisdiction to adjudicate any disputed issue. The parents agree by this order, however, that they shall submit any such disputed issue to a mediator, mutually agreed upon, before applying to the Court for relief. The cost of the mediator shall be shared equally by the parents. In the event the parents cannot agree as to the selection of a mediator or if the mediation fails, a Court proceeding may be filed by either parent. When a parent does not engage in mediation in good faith, the cost of the mediator may be included in a petition for fees and costs in connection with any enforcement or modification proceeding. 2. The parents agree to review the terms of this Joint Parenting Agreement at least annually on the anniversary date of the entry of the Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage. Part E. Other Agreements Not Stipulated Above The parents agree to: . This agreement is entered into in the best interests of the minor child(ren) by: _______________________________ Petitioner _____________________________________ Respondent _________________ Date _________________ Date American LegalNet, Inc. www.USCourtForms.com Page 3 of 3 174-CSR202 (R04-06)