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Child custody confusion can throw a wrench into your summer trip

On Behalf of | Jul 13, 2018 | Uncategorized

There is no better time to relax and have fun with your child than on a summer vacation. Unfortunately, if you find yourself in the middle of a child custody dispute, you could run into a variety of challenges along the way.

Fighting with your ex-spouse about taking your child on a summer vacation is never fun. In fact, this has a way of killing your good time before you ever hit the road.

If you want to avoid trouble in the weeks and months to come, here are some tips to follow:

  • Share your vacation schedule: The last thing you want to do is spring your summer vacation on your ex-spouse. Instead, share a detailed vacation schedule as far in advance as possible. This gives both of you the opportunity to hash out the details and get on the same page.
  • Don’t violate your child custody agreement: It’s easy to assume you won’t do this, but it’s possible to make an honest mistake. For example, your child custody agreement may say that you are not permitted to travel out of the United States with your child. If there is any sort of language that restricts your travel, take it into consideration when planning your trip.
  • Be open about your plans: Even if you don’t like letting your ex-spouse in on what you’re doing, since it involves your child, you’ll want to be open about your plans for the trip. From when you’re leaving to where you’re staying to when you’re coming home, don’t hold back.
  • Keep the lines of communication open at all times: While you don’t have to spend much (if any) time communicating with your ex-spouse during your trip, your child may want to stay in touch. Do your best to help your child get in touch with his or her other parent, such as by allowing the child to use your cellphone to make regular calls.

With these tips guiding you, it’s your hope that you won’t run into any child custody related issues as you plan your summer vacation.

If your ex-spouse continually interferes with your plans, it’s time to review your child custody agreement to clearly understand your legal rights. This will give you a better idea of exactly what you can and can’t do.