Spring break may have brought you a fun vacation or possibly a nice, relaxing stay-cation. For those divorcees or those going through a divorce, it can also bring tension and custody issues; turning family fun into a custody battle. If you are experiencing a tug-of-war with your ex over visitation and custody time during long breaks, holidays, and vacations, here are some tips as summer approaches:
Keep communication open.
Consider the child/children when making travel arrangements.
Be fair and compromise, when appropriate.
Set-up and divide breaks and holidays by alternating odd and even years and stay consistent.
Be understanding, special events and change of plans happen to everyone.
Plan ahead and always give as much notice as possible to the other parent.
When traveling, if needed, get agreements in writing.
Be aware of the custody schedule and don’t violate the orders.
Don’t forget to give kids an opportunity, when possible, to communicate with the other parent.
Be open to adjusting plans to be reasonable to the other party.
Give the other parent your travel itinerary well in advance.
AND, it’s always a good rule of thumb to consult an attorney when questions and custody issues arise.
Kids hear and see everything and showing you can be sensible will guide them in the future and help keep things as civil as possible. It will make these times more relaxing and fun for them and you.
Remember, children care about who shows up to pick them up from school, makes them dinner, takes them to practice, yell from the bleachers and stays up late finishing their costume for their play.
If you need guidance with custody and visitation schedules, our office has over twenty years of experience with custody and visitation matters, planning schedules as well as creating reasonable and equitable vacation and holiday planning. We can assist you in coming up with a plan to avoid further disputes and give you a substantial agreement to use moving forward; whether to establish orders or make post-judgment modifications and agreements.
For more information and to schedule your consultation, please call The Law Offices of Steven B. Chroman, P.C., at 661-255-1800 or visit us at www.chromanlaw.com. Mr. Chroman is a Trusted Advisor Award Winner and named Top 100 California Attorney’s with over 26 years of experience and local service and a 2021, 2022 & 2023 Super Lawyer.
This article was originally published in Santa Clarita Magazine as part of our firm’s mission to make family law information more accessible to the Santa Clarita community. Read the full feature and others at santaclaritamagazine.com.