Summer is around the corner, the temperature is rising, and the sun is out! The excitement of the season can be shared by all, even if you are in the midst of a family law matter or continued custody dispute. Here are a few tips and tricks:
1) Summer Parenting Time. Most child custody arrangements or parenting agreements include specific provisions to address the summer months. Take your legal paperwork out of the filing cabinet or open the document on your computer and triple check. When does the summer start in terms of the parenting arrangement? It may be based on the school calendar, a certain day of the week after the last day of school, or some other unique scenario. Are there certain deadlines in reserving parenting time for a vacation? Do not miss valuable vacation time with your children because you forgot to send an email in time. Also, what does your children’s summer schedule look like? Coordinating schedules can be tricky, but you do not want to schedule a beach vacation when your children are scheduled for a camp. Finally, you may need to coordinate details and schedules with the other parent. Something is bound to come up, but by ensuring open communication and prioritizing the needs of the children, your parenting arrangement will not get in the way of an enjoyable summer.
In conjunction with a different summer schedule as compared to the school year, there may also be specific holidays that are shared or rotated between parents. Again, check that parenting arrangement to figure out who gets to watch the July 4th fireworks with the children.
2) Summer Childcare and Activities. School is out and the children are ready for freedom from homework and class; but are you ready? Although the summer months are fun, you will still have your day job and other life responsibilities. Take the time now to plan how the children are going to fill their free time, or at the very least, ensure that childcare is set up. If there is open communication with the other parent, together you may want to strategize the summer time with the end of goal of reducing the need for childcare while also filling the children’s schedules with enriching summer experiences.
3) Summer Financial Planning. In addition to keeping yourself and the children busy during the summer months, check your financial situation to make sure your summer activity expenses are covered. Also, review any child support orders or agreements to see how childcare and summer activity expenses are divided. Alone you may not be able to afford the camp that your child has dreamt about, but maybe the other parent will be able to split the cost with you. Or maybe, pursuant to the child support arrangement, the other parent is actually required to split that cost with you.
4) International Travel. If you are planning to an international trip, make sure your travel documents are prepared well in advance. This includes any health-related documents needed due to the on-going pandemic. Check your parenting arrangement as well because you may have to provide written notice to the other parent of the trip details by a certain deadline as well. Since many countries require consent of the non-traveling parent, be sure to have all applicable forms and permissions in place before heading to the airport.
5) Preparing for the school years ahead. Yes, the end of one school year has arrived, but planning for next school year and even the school year thereafter is already here. Especially if you are seeking to change the child’s school or enroll the child in a magnet or private school, there are strict deadlines to meet. Review your parenting arrangement as it relates to legal custody decisions about school choice, take out your calendar, and map out any plans now.
If you find that your parenting arrangement does not adequately address the needs of your children today or the child support arrangement does not provide for the financial needs of your children, an experienced family law attorney is your best resource.
While you are enjoying the summer weather and festivities, our Modern Legal team is here to help reduce your worry about the child custody and child support matters.
By: Theresa E. Viera
