Summer is right around the corner. With school out of session, the warm weather, and COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, you are likely planning a vacation. A summer vacation is a perfect way to bond with your children and create memories that will last a lifetime. When it comes to planning a trip, it is important to take your custody schedule into account. Co-parenting can be difficult, especially when it comes to travel and scheduling conflicts. Below are some tricks and trips that may help ease the stress and ensure that your vacation preparation goes as smoothly as possible. Read on to learn more.
How to Schedule a Summer Vacation?
If you share custody of your children, it is important to take the following steps when it comes to planning for a vacation:
- Check your final judgment of divorce and any agreements and court orders
- Before making any plans, it is important to check and make sure your selected vacation time is not designated as a holiday or otherwise reserved for the other parent. If it is, you will generally need the other parent’s consent to take the time. You will need to get this consent in writing.
- Provide the other parent with ample notice and information
- Notify your co-parent of your selected vacation time, along with flight and travel information and a manner in which the children can get in contact with the other parent. Planning ahead will ensure no scheduling conflicts.
- Update your documents
- Ensure that the children’s passports are up to date and that you have any required parental consent forms that may be required by the airport completed by the other parent. If the other parent is the regular holder of the passports, retrieve them well in advance.
- Allow the children to call the other parent while on vacation
- This will relieve the stress of the other parent who will inevitably be concerned while the children are traveling. Keep in mind, this will likely prevent that parent from causing you grief while on vacation or when you return. Hopefully, the other parent will extend you the same courtesy when they take the kids on vacation. A quick call to the other parent oftentimes helps the children relax and enjoy as well.
If you have any questions or concerns about planning for vacations while co-parenting, reach out to our firm today. We are here to help.
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If you need an experienced legal team to guide you through your divorce, contact Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark L.L.C today.
