If you share custody of your children with the other parent, custody arrangements can often make summer more stressful than it should be. Changes in schedules and conflicts in vacation plans can lead to some very tense situations. If you're trying to arrange your summer plans around those of the other parents, it's important for you to consider the four suggestions provided below. Utilizing these suggestions could help you avoid complications and animosity.
Avoid Last-Minute Plans
When you have a custody arrangement, it's important that you stick to that as much as possible. That's why it's crucial that you avoid last-minute plans. Summer takes a full year to come around again. That should give you plenty of time to solidify your vacation plans. Last-minute plans can interfere with the other parents plans, which can lead to hostility, especially if the other parent had their plans solidified well in advance. Avoid complications by having your summer plans in order on time.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
If you share custody of your child with the other parent, it's crucial that you keep the lines of communication open, especially when it comes to summer vacation. Open communication allows you and the other parent the opportunity to discuss vacation plans in a stress-free and relaxed environment. This is particularly helpful when one of you wants to include vacation plans that are outside of the normal custody arrangement you have in place.
Get Travel Agreements in Writing
If you've made plans that require special accommodations to be made, or need prior approval from the other parent, you need to get the approval in writing. This is particularly true if the vacation plans are contrary to court-ordered custody agreements. For instance, if your custody orders prohibit either parent from taking the child out of the state, or country, and your plans are to travel beyond those restrictions, you need to get permission from the other parent; in writing. Failing to get the approval in writing could land you in court, especially if the other parent changes their mind once you're in the middle of your vacation.
Contact Your Attorney
If you're having trouble communicating with the other parent, or your summer plans have landed you in trouble, you need to contact your attorney as soon as possible. Don't try to deal with custody disputes on your own. Your child custody attorney will be able to help you avoid serious problems with your custody arrangements.
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