Summer is just around the corner, which means your child will be out of school and your daily routine may get complicated. It also means it might be time to sit down with the other parent to plan and coordinate your summer plans.
The approach of summer vacation typically results in a bump in child custody cases, as many parents cannot agree on what to do with their child and who is to pay for it. The cost of summer camps and other activities can far exceed child support amounts, and parenting time schedules can disrupt even the best-laid vacation plans. To help you look forward to a summer devoid of custody battles, follow these simple tips.
Start Early
Start now to address these issues with the other parent amicably. Planning your summer vacation? Key the other parent in from the get-go. He or she may have plans, too, which may or may not involve your child. Whether you like it or not, you might have to work together to coordinate your summer plans. Starting early also gives you the benefit of options, should negotiations fail. If you are unable to agree on your summer plans, you can try child custody mediation as a next step. Mediation is an ideal forum in which to hash out stipulations in your custody agreement. If mediation doesn’t work, you may have to resort to taking the matter to court, which can be costly in terms of your time and money. But all these steps take time; so don’t wait until it’s too late.
Check Your Custody Agreement
Your custody agreement is a good starting place when planning your summer with your child. Review your custody agreement for travel limitations. Some custody agreements prohibit international travel without both parents’ consent. Similarly, make sure your summer plans don’t violate the other parent’s rights. For example, if the other parent gets your child for two weeks every summer, find a way to make it work with your schedule.
Make a Plan and Keep It
Make sure you give the other parent plenty of notice if you are planning a vacation this summer. Once you form your plans, communicate them with the other parent, whether they conflict with his or her parenting time or not.
Keep the Communication Open
Even when on vacation, make sure your child can contact the other parent through phone, email, or even Skype. It’s important to follow your custody agreement as closely as possible no matter your plans. If that means the other parent needs to be able to talk to your child every few days, try to facilitate this.
And, as always, consult with an experienced New Jersey child custody attorney if you need help with custody or parenting time issues. Looking out for your child’s best interests may require a modification to your custody order. An attorney can help you negotiate an agreement with the other parent or take the matter to court if necessary.
If you have questions about summer vacation and custody in New Jersey, the Williams Law Group, LLC is here to help. The experienced child custody attorneys at Williams Law Group, LLC can aggressively protect your rights and your child’s best interests. Located in Short Hills, New Jersey, Williams Law Group, LLC provides compassionate and dedicated legal services to Union, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Monmouth, and Middlesex counties, and the surrounding areas. Our knowledgeable attorneys handle divorce and family law, child custody, and child abuse/neglect cases. Call our office at (908) 810-1083, email us at info@awilliamslawgroup.com, or contact us through our confidential online form to schedule a consultation and ultimately get you connected with an experienced New Jersey divorce and child custody attorney.