Summer is here and you likely have all sorts of ideas about how you would like to spend this time with your children. While this could be a great opportunity to bond over a fun vacation or a day beside the pool, if you are divorced and share custody, you have to keep in mind that your ex-spouse likely has ideas and plans for the summer as well. Without proper planning, the summer break can turn into a disaster, full of non-stop arguing. Do not let this happen to you and your children.
Below is a list of helpful tips that will get you through the summer season smoothly, so you can make the most of your time with your children:
- Set a vacation schedule: Planning is great, but planning on your own is going to cause trouble, so make sure you sit down with your ex-spouse and discuss your plans. This could require the assistance of a skilled child custody attorney. Once you reach an agreement on your plans for the summer, make sure it is in writing and that a family court judge signs off on it. Doing so will ensure that, if either one of you attempts to back out of it, the court can enforce the agreement.
- Do not violate your custody agreement: In many cases, custody and visitation agreements have geographical limits that might prevent a parent from taking their children out of state or out of the country. Therefore, if your summer plans involve a vacation that requires traveling outside the limits of your agreement, you will need to ask your ex-spouse to modify the agreement, allowing you to travel with your children for a vacation.
- Give enough notice: No matter how well you plan for the summer, it will not do you much good if you inform your ex-spouse about these plans at the last minute. Give him or her a substantial heads up regarding any summer activities or vacations you might want to share with the children. The sooner, the better.
- Exchange custody comfortably: Not everyone is on good terms with their ex-spouse and, for some, the act of exchanging custody can be very stressful and uncomfortable. If this applies to you, consider exchanging custody in a public place where your children will feel safe, such as a daycare center. This can help ease some of the tension and remove the discomfort of being in the same room with your ex-spouse.
- Let your children communicate with the other parent: Of course, you will want to make the most of the time you are able to spend with your children, but that does not mean you should keep them from trying to communicate with their other parent. Doing so will only foster more animosity between you and your ex and ultimately hurt your children. Try keeping the peace by letting them communicate in a way that allows them to keep in touch without greatly interfering with your time together.
Child Custody Attorneys in Katy
If you are dealing with a stressful child custody matter, you need a family law attorney on your side who can help you navigate this delicate situation with compassion and skill. At Fischer Law Firm P.C., our Katy child custody attorneys are dedicated to minimizing conflict and maximizing solutions to ensure your family endures as little hardship as possible during what is already a difficult time.
Get started on your case today and call our office at (346) 444-1050 to schedule your free initial case evaluation with a child custody attorney.
