Modifying Parenting Time as Children Get Older

 Posted on December 31, 2025 in Child Custody

 Parenting plans and child custody orders are meant to provide for a child’s best interests. However, they can’t always account for what the future holds. As a child grows up, he or she may have changing needs that have to be addressed. Sometimes, this means that a parent’s share of parenting time will have to be adjusted. If you need help with a modification issue, reach out to a Wheaton, IL child custody attorney today.

At Roberts PC, we can help you deal with stressful custody cases. We have over 40 years of history behind us, and in that time, we have represented many parents in family law cases. Our attorneys can review your petition for modification and work toward a feasible solution.

Why Parenting Plans Change When Children Get Older

As children get older, their lives naturally become more complex. School schedules get busier. Sports, clubs, and social lives start to become more involved. What worked when a child was five may not make sense when that child is thirteen. An article published in the National Library of Medicine found that a "majority of divorces affect younger children since 72 percent of divorces occur during the first 14 years of marriage," highlighting how parenting plans are typically drafted with younger children in mind.

Older children also become more aware of their surroundings. They notice long car rides between homes. They feel stress when schedules are rigid or constantly changing. Many parents find that frequent exchanges or uneven parenting time become harder to manage as kids age. These changes often lead families to revisit custody and parenting time arrangements.

In Wheaton and throughout Illinois, courts understand that parenting plans are not meant to stay frozen in time. They are supposed to serve the child’s best interests at each stage of life. When a plan no longer fits a child’s needs, modification may be appropriate.

Grounds for Custody Modifications in 2026

To change parenting time, a parent must usually show that something significant has changed since the last order. However, parents can also agree to modify custody without a significant change in circumstances, as long as the judge agrees that it serves the child’s best interests.

Growing older may not be enough to qualify as a significant change in circumstances, but age-related changes often go hand in hand with other factors. Common reasons for modification include changes in school demands, long commutes between parents’ homes, or a child’s involvement in activities that conflict with the current schedule. A parent’s work schedule may also shift over time. A job that once allowed flexibility may now require evenings or weekends.

Safety and stability remain central concerns. If one parent consistently fails to follow the schedule, misses exchanges, or creates conflict around parenting time, the court may step in. Relocation is another common trigger. Even a move within the same region can affect transportation, school placement, and daily routines.

Illinois courts focus on what arrangement best supports the child’s physical, emotional, and educational well-being. The goal is not to reward or punish parents, but to create a schedule that works in real life.

Do Courts Listen to Older Children in Custody Cases?

As children get older, many parents ask whether courts will listen to what the child wants. The short answer is yes, but with limits. Illinois law allows courts to consider a child’s wishes, especially when the child is mature enough to express a reasoned preference (750 ILCS 5/602.7).

That does not mean a child gets to decide where to live. Judges look at why a child feels a certain way. Is the preference based on comfort, school stability, or relationships? Or is it tied to pressure from a parent or a desire to avoid rules? These distinctions matter.

Courts may hear from older children through interviews, guardian ad litem reports, or other child-focused professionals. Judges are careful not to place children in the middle of adult conflict. The process is designed to protect children, not turn them into decision-makers.

Parents should also remember that a child’s voice is just one factor. The court still weighs consistency, parental involvement, and each parent’s ability to support the child’s needs as he or she grows up. Our attorneys can give you a voice in the proceedings, making sure your concerns are heard.

Contact a Wheaton, IL Child Custody Attorney 

At Roberts PC, our team works with parents throughout Wheaton and the surrounding communities who are facing custody and parenting time changes. We take a practical approach, focusing on solutions that support children while protecting parental rights. If you believe your current parenting plan no longer fits your child’s needs, contact our Winfield, IL child custody attorneys or call 630-668-4211 to discuss your situation and learn when modification may be possible.