An Illinois Parenting Plan is a document that is used to outline how parents or guardians of a minor child or children will share parenting responsibilities, visitation rights, and decision-making authority. The plan is created through negotiation between the parents or guardians, and is typically submitted to a court of law for approval. There are two types of Illinois Parenting Plans: a Joint Parenting Agreement and a Sole Parenting Agreement. A Joint Parenting Agreement is used when both parents or guardians share legal custody and have equal decision-making authority for the child or children. A Sole Parenting Agreement is used when one parent or guardian has sole legal custody and decision-making authority for the child or children. In both cases, the plan should address major issues such as physical custody, legal custody, decision-making authority, visitation rights, and other matters such as education, religion, health care, and extra-curricular activities.