Gwen Badgerow is a professional mediator in Illinois who provides mediation services for parenting plans. Gwen trained at Dominican University just west of Chicago Dominican University Home | Dominican University and at the Justice Center of Atlanta (JCA) Justice Center of Atlanta.
Parenting Plans
Writing a parenting plan requires a level of trust that mediated agreements will guard the safety and protection of the child’s needs and be followed respectfully. Enduring agreements represent shared values and continual commitment to the protection of important relationships across time.
Parenting Plans can be very simple or very complex when it comes to children and their needs. Agreements vary as to who makes different parenting decisions, such as determining a parenting schedule, education, extracurricular activities, medical, religion or who will cover costs for medical insurance, transportation and other expenses. Parents may enter into a complete agreement, a partial agreement (leaving some decisions to a judge or attorneys to negotiate), or find no agreements were made. Signing a mediated parenting plan is always voluntary, but very often, full agreements are found possible.
What to expect when mediating a parenting agreement?
- Parenting agreements are based on our values.
- Parenting agreements protect and foster relationships with both parents.
- Parenting agreements should have integrity and be honored at all times.
The agreement often starts with a schedule including choosing days, weeks, place of pick up/drop off, transportation responsibilities as well as holiday and vacation time.
Agreements address decision making roles for medical, educational, extracurricular commitments and religious upbringing.
Parenting Plans Without Attorneys
On average, parenting plans by mediators can cost between $150 – $600 dollars in just 1-3 sessions. An average of 3 sessions is often expected by the court, unless the parties find impediments. Costs of mediation are shared equally unless otherwise ordered by the court and offered in person or via zoom.
This is the highly desired price range parents or guardians want to spend if the results are the following:
- Both parties are willing to work together or use 3rd party parenting apps like AppClose.
- A parenting schedule places a high value on protecting the relationships between the child and both parents and values frequent quality time with both parents
- Financial needs are addressed fairly using approved resources and/or child support is waived
(If paperwork has been filed by either party with a court, a judge may request a financial affidavit by both parties before deciding on Child Support)
Parenting Plans with Attorneys
On average, if the parenting plan is uncontested and both parties agree, it can cost from $2,500 to $7,500 dollars.
If it’s a very complex case, it can cost from $10,000 to $50,000 dollars. Attorneys can also ask for flat fees, retainers, or even additional expenses like travel costs, paralegal services, copying, and/or fax fees.
You should hire an attorney if:
- No agreements were discovered using mediation
- One or both parties have a personal history which could impede mediation (Please discuss this with your mediator privately to see if mediation is right for you)
- Both parties can’t get along (Separate Mediation sessions can also resolve this issue.)
- The children wish (or have reason) to be with one parent over the other
- The children have special needs
Seeking advice from an attorney is always recommended prior to signing a legal document such as a parenting agreement; however, not required.
Parenting Plan Resources
AppClose: (Best Co-Parenting App)
Rules of the Circuit Court (PDF)
(Pages 21-24 Mediator Rules)
