Summer vacation can be a great time to bond with your kids. However, when you have already gotten divorced, a summer getaway won’t be as simple as it once would have been.
Instead of just packing up the kids and hitting the road, you need to plan ahead, make arrangements with your ex and possibly even get permission from the courts in order to enjoy the perfect summer vacation with your kids. Shared placement can complicate a vacation, but it’s still possible to enjoy your time with the kids.
Make sure that you have enough parenting time
Depending on how you and your ex share parenting time, they may have substantially more time with the kids than you do during the summer, especially if they aren’t able to be as present during the school year. If you and your ex are on good terms, they might just work with you. However, it is usually easiest to make arrangements for a vacation that falls within your pre-existing parenting time.
Make sure your ex knows where you’re going and when
Even if you want to surprise your children with the destination and duration of your vacation, your trip should not come as a shock to your ex. Especially if you plan to travel out of state, keep the kids for longer than usual or do something a little risky, like mountain climbing, it’s important that you and your ex are both on the same page about the vacation and the best way to keep your kids happy and healthy for the trip.
You may need a modification or approval by the courts for certain travel
Depending on the terms set in your parenting plan or Marital Settlement Agreement, you may need approval from the courts or your ex if you want to leave the country. Getting approval from the courts will be especially important if your ex doesn’t agree with a vacation, as the courts can approve your request and override their disagreement.
The sooner you begin planning, the easier it will be for you to arrange the right trip and make sure you have the proper permission to take the kids on your planned vacation.