Parents who share custody often need to plan in advance for predictable challenges. In addition to addressing the overall division of parenting time, they may also need to have rules in place for holidays and school breaks.
Especially in cases where either parent may want to travel with the children, addressing vacations in a parenting plan can limit the likelihood of legal disputes and disappointed children. Parents who share custody may want to travel out of state or enjoy a staycation where they patronize many of the most popular attractions in their local community for longer than their usual custody schedule allows.
Careful planning can help to better ensure that vacation plans do not violate a custody order.
What issues cause vacation disputes?
Several different issues may arise when parents plan vacations. First and foremost, the timing of the trip could require an adjustment of the current custody schedule. They may rely on the other parent approving the request for an extended vacation with the children. That process may require sacrificing other future dates with the children to compensate for the loss of parenting time during the vacation.
Parents also frequently disagree about long-distance travel. Parenting plans may sometimes include provisions that require pre-approval for out-of-state trips or that offer advance permission for such trips. If the plan is to travel internationally, THEN consent from both parents is typically legally necessary.
Working to address common custody issues proactively before they arise can help parents to better ensure that their parenting plans effectively address their family’s needs. Including terms about rescheduling parenting time for vacations and approving out-of-state travel can help parents protect their parental rights and facilitate easier vacation planning.
