Parenting time refers to the schedule that determines when the child is in each parent’s physical care. Parental responsibilities refer to decision-making authority over major issues like education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities. A court can divide these separately, so one parent might have more parenting time while both share equal decision-making.
Parenting Time
Same Day & After Hours Appointments Available | In-Person or Zoom Meetings | Over 20 Years Experience
Our Flat Fee Divorce Rates
$1,800
Uncontested Divorce No Children
Starting At$1,995
Uncontested Divorce With Children
Schaumburg Parenting Time Attorney
Visitation Schedules & Custody Arrangements
After a divorce or separation, one of the most important questions for any parent is how much time they will spend with their children. In Illinois, the law refers to this as “parenting time,” and the details of that arrangement can shape your children’s daily lives and your relationship with them for years to come. Whether you are working through a divorce, modifying an existing schedule, or dealing with a parent who refuses to follow a court order, having a knowledgeable attorney in your corner makes a real difference.
At Reifman Law Offices, Attorney Arkady Reifman has experience helping Illinois parents build, protect, and enforce parenting time arrangements. We take the time to understand your family’s situation and work toward a schedule that reflects your children’s best interests and your role in their lives. Whether your case calls for negotiation or courtroom advocacy, we are ready to represent you.
Who We Help
We work with parents at every stage of the parenting time process, including those facing:
- Parents trying to get parenting time: If you want a formal parenting time schedule in place, we help you pursue an arrangement that reflects your children’s needs and your relationship with them.
- Parents who do not have a formal parenting time order yet: Without a court order, informal agreements can fall apart. We help you get a legally binding schedule that both parents must follow.
- Parents being denied visits: If the other parent is blocking your time with your children without a legal basis, we can help you take action to enforce your rights.
- Parents whose parenting time order is not being followed: When a co-parent ignores or repeatedly violates an existing court order, we help you return to court to address the violation and protect your time.
- Parents whose current parenting time order no longer fits: Circumstances change. If your schedule no longer works because of a move, a new school, a job change, or another significant shift, we can help you seek a modification that better fits your family’s current reality.
Parenting Time in Illinois: What You Need to Know
Illinois courts decide all parenting time matters based on the best interests of the child. In most cases, courts presume that children benefit from spending meaningful time with both parents. The specific arrangement your family uses will depend on your unique situation.
How Illinois Courts Determine Parenting Time
If parents cannot agree on a schedule, the court steps in and weighs several factors, including:
- The wishes of both parents and, where appropriate, the children
- Each child’s needs, age, and adjustment to their home, school, and community
- The physical and mental health of both parents and children
- Each parent’s past involvement in caregiving
- The distance between the parents’ homes
- Each parent’s willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent
- Any history of abuse, domestic violence, or conduct that would require restrictions on parenting time
Building a Parenting Time Schedule
A parenting plan outlines when children will be with each parent during regular weeks, holidays, school breaks, and special occasions. It also addresses how exchanges will happen, what to do when a parent needs childcare during their scheduled time, and how future scheduling conflicts will be handled.
Some families split time equally, with children alternating between homes week by week. Others use a schedule where children spend most weekdays with one parent and some weekends with the other. The right arrangement depends on your children’s school location, activities, and daily routine, as well as each parent’s availability and living situation.
If both parents agree on a parenting plan and the court finds it meets the children’s best interests, the plan becomes a legally binding court order. If parents cannot reach an agreement, a judge will decide after reviewing the relevant facts and factors.
Modifications to Parenting Time
Life changes, and sometimes an existing schedule stops working. A parent can ask the court to modify parenting time when there has been a substantial change in circumstances, such as a relocation, a change in a child’s school or activities, a shift in a parent’s work schedule, or a change in the child’s needs. The court will consider whether the proposed modification serves the child’s best interests before approving any change.
Why Choose Us
Nearly 20 Years of Family Law Experience
Attorney Arkady Reifman has focused on Illinois family law for close to two decades. He understands how local courts approach parenting time disputes and brings that experience to every case he handles.
Personalized Attention on Every Case
We treat every family as unique. We take the time to understand your situation, explain your options clearly, and build a strategy around your children’s well-being and your parenting goals. Clients consistently describe Attorney Reifman as professional, responsive, and genuinely invested in their outcomes.
Flexible and Accessible Services
We offer free initial consultations, same-day appointments when available, after-hours scheduling, and the option to meet in person or by Zoom. We also serve Russian-speaking clients. Our goal is to make quality legal help easy to reach, whatever your schedule looks like.
Ready to Negotiate or Litigate
Many parenting time matters resolve through negotiation and a well-drafted parenting plan. When the other party refuses to cooperate, we are fully prepared to represent you in court and advocate for an arrangement that works for your children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be denied parenting time if I am behind on child support?
No. Illinois law treats parenting time and child support as separate matters. A parent cannot legally withhold parenting time because the other parent missed support payments. If you are being denied visits for this reason, an attorney can help you address it through the court.
What happens if the other parent refuses to follow the parenting time order?
Violating a court order is a serious matter. You can file a motion with the court asking it to enforce the order. Depending on the circumstances, the court may hold the other parent in contempt, award make-up parenting time, modify the schedule, or take other steps to address repeated violations.
How do I get a parenting time order if I was never married to the other parent?
Unmarried parents need to establish both parentage and a formal parenting time order. Once parentage is legally recognized, a father or second parent can seek court-ordered parenting time. Without a formal order, either parent can technically keep the child without legal consequences, so getting an order in place is important.
Can I modify my parenting time schedule if my circumstances have changed?
Yes. Either parent can ask the court to modify the schedule when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. The court will decide whether the requested modification serves the child’s best interests before approving it.
At what age can a child decide which parent to live with?
Illinois law does not set a specific age at which a child gets to choose. Instead, courts consider the child’s preferences as one factor among many, with more weight given as the child matures and demonstrates the ability to reason independently. A judge always makes the final call based on the child’s best interests.
Contact a Schaumburg Parenting Time Lawyer
Your parenting time schedule shapes your relationship with your children and their daily lives. We will help you protect that relationship and work toward an arrangement that puts your children first. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients in Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Barrington, West Dundee, Streamwood, and the surrounding areas.
At Reifman Law Offices,
we will take the weight of dealing with family legal issues off of your shoulders.
Call Us 847-229-8433
Legalrepresentationyou can actually afford
Cost is a significant factor when considering hiring a lawyer. At Reifman Law Offices, we understand that our clients are real people—people on a budget with limited time.
That’s why we offer:
What Our Clients say about us
I highly recommend Arkady and Reifman Law Offices. From the beginning of my divorce process, Arkady was knowledgeable, responsive, and professional. He took the time to answer my questions, explain each step clearly, and kept the process moving forward. I...
I had a great experience working with my attorney during my divorce. Everything was done quickly, clearly, and without any stress. He always responded fast, explained every step, and helped with all my questions. Really appreciate his work and highly...
Working with this law office made an uncontested divorce as simple and painless as it possibly could be. Attorney Reifman was thorough, prompt, courteous, and supportive throughout the entire proceeding. I would not hesitate to recommend them if someone I...
Arkady Reifman was very professional and supportive. He explained everything clearly and made the process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend!
Arkady was a calm, compassionate and an effective guide through a very difficult process. I'm so grateful for his professionalism and support.
Keep in mind that every divorce is different and has different complexities to it. Ours was extremely basic and I'd say start to finish, was completed in less than 90 days. Everything was sorted out rather quickly, communication was always...
Arkady was very supportive and easy to work with, he is very professional and knowledgeable. I would recommend.
Professional, communication was excellent, and super fast and easy. Highly recommend!
Not all lawyers are created equal. That being said, most lawyers I personally encountered only cared about dragging things out and making themselves richer at the expense of the people that they were representing. Mr. Arkady Reifman shines above the...
Arkady helped me from day 1 he was great from helping ease my peace of mind during all the high conflict negotiations with my EX. My case took FAR to long for what it should have been but not because...
Arkady took over in the middle of my divorce. Found him by chance, but couldn't be happier. He is very reasonable in prices, follows up promptly, but most of all he was understanding for every issue I wanted to bring...
I’m very thankful to Arkady for his assistance with my divorce! He is very knowledgeable and was always prompt with responses. I would recommend him to anyone who needs family attorney help!
Arkady Reifman is an excellent divorce attorney who delivers a high-quality service. He helped me with my case with personal attention to details, responsiveness to questions, and very good communication skills in court and in writing letters. He also speaks...
Great lawyer, to the point and gets things done.
Affordable and very helpful , gets back to you asap and updates you in timely manner , Thank you so much for your help ... If you're looking for a lawyer that has you in mind REIFMAN will not disappoint,...
Great attorney, Always available and responsive and will give the best advice!
Firstly, I want to thank Mr. Arkady Reifman for the amazing and professional services he provided me with. Whenever I had a question, he explained thoroughly and carefully and adjusted to my circumstances when I didn't understand he always did...
Arkady Reifman is an excellent attorney who really goes above and beyond for his client, I'd trust him with anything, do not hesitate to call him.
In a divorce, you need advocates. Advocates that are willing to listen, empathize with your situation and quickly ascertain what rights and entitlements one has. I was fortunate enough to be paired with Arkady Reifman. From our first meeting, I...
Very professional, straightforward and empathetic. I went through one of the most difficult times in my life and was glad to have Arkady by my side throughout the process. I was very impressed by the great level of attention that...
Arkady handled my divorce case several years ago and I would, and have, recommended him to my friends and family. I hired Arkady after another attorney has botched my case. Not only was Arkady professional and knowledgeable, he took the...
Arkady handled my divorce case. He has done a great job understanding my needs and was able to prepare a divorce contract that covered the detailed scenarios for what was needed. As a result, my divorce process was less painful...
Arkady took care of my divorce case. He has done an amazing job understanding my needs and was able to prepare a divorce contract that covered the detailed scenarios of what was needed. As a result, my divorce process was...
I was seeking a simple uncontested divorce and I came to the right place. The consultation was over an hour and was free. Arkady took the time to understand my situation and guided me through the process which others I...
I contacted Arkady for an uncontested divorce. I received a detailed extensive free consultation and was able to figure out the remainder of the details I needed to work out with my spouse in order to finalize the process. With...
I hired Arkady to help get some rights back that I should not have lost during my divorce. Ex-wife (who has full custody of our child) told daycare that my current wife could not pick up my daughter at daycare....
I am thrilled with my results. Arkady was exceptionally professional. He was able to find a resolution for my complex situation where I thought there was no solution. He is a strong professional with a thorough knowledge of the law...
Very Reasonable rates, easy process, and thorough explanation. Arkady was recommended to me for an uncontested divorce. I had recently met my future husband and needed to get an uncontested divorce as soon as possible. Arkady provided an excellent flat...
Reasonable Rates, dedicated service, and excellent results. I had a very difficult divorce, Arkady was able to put the correct protective orders in place, got a great Guardian ad Litem for my child and helped me gain full custody. Arkady...
Professional, compassionate and knowledgeable. I worked with Arkady on my uncontested divorce. We originally thought one set of documents was going to do it for us. However, my ex hired an attorney and I needed to protect my interests. After...
I had four divorce attorneys and one real advocate. My divorce lasted for several years and I went through multiple divorce attorneys in the process. Finding that most just want to drag their feet and get paid. Arkady proved otherwise,...
I interviewed multiple firms before I decided on Arkady Reifman. After interviewing Arkady I had a very comfortable feeling and I knew that I was going with the right professional for my situation. Arkady understood the challenges and concerns I...
Arkady is a great attorney. He listens very well, commits great focus to your case and works for the best possible outcome. It is very refreshing to meet such a hardworking and compassionate advocate. I am impressed at how knowledgeable...
Arkady Reifman was recommended to me by a relative and I'm happy I decided to go with him to represent me in my divorce case. His fees are reasonable, communication was clear and to the point, and he explained the...
We contacted Arkady to help get a divorce settlement for my guy. It had been almost a year and his original divorce attorney did nothing to help. We gave him our retainer and he worked diligently to help us. Only...
Arkady Reifman is a seasoned and professional attorney. I appreciate his help in providing counsel which was effective in the completion of my case.
Mr. Reifman has handled with great discretion and high competence several matters of importance for our family and we highly recommend him.
Arkady Reifman represented me in my divorce case. He was always very supportive through a painful time in my life. I feel secure and confident every time after conversation with him. He also was always very prompt to respond to...
Thank you Mr. Arkady Reifman for representing me in my divorce case. With your guidance and experience of the law. I would recommend you to family or friends or anybody who ask for a family lawyer.
Great attorney, professional, exceeded my expectations, very thankful!!!
Attorney Arkady Reifman was professional on working on my case. Answer all my questions with everything I had. Highly recommend this Attorney
If you are in need of any legal service, talk to this firm first. Our family has used Mr. Reifman's service to resolve a complex child support matter that involved a defendant that tried every legal maneuver to delay his...
Arkady is an excellent attorney. He took my complex divorce case and handled it with compassion and pure professionalism. The result was far better than I had expected. Arkady handled my case effectively and made the process as painless as...
Contact Us Request a free consultation today !
We assist individuals and families in Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties in Illinois.
Schaumburg Office
Northbrook Office
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Resources | Sitemap