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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Does your custody arrangement include summer vacations?

Does your custody arrangement, whether by agreement or court order, include provisions for summer vacation?  Now is the time to find out.  Many times summer vacations are left out of the official custody arrangements, usually because people just weren't thinking about that when they were trying to figure out who their child would live with on a regular basis. 

If your custody arrangement does include provisions for summer vacation, great!  Follow the terms of your agreement or court order. 

If your custody arrangement does not include provisions for summer vacation, now is the time to figure out how that will play out.  Depending on where you live, you may have time to have the court decide a vacation schedule.  If not, you should have a serious conversation with the other parent of your child(ren).  If you do not have the ability to have the court decide a vacation schedule, you are going to have to work with your co-parent to determine a schedule that is best for your children.

While you are working with your co-parent, remember that this is all about your children.  You may not want to spend two weeks away from your child but would it be good for your child to go visit their extended family with their other parent?  It may be a burden to adjust your planned vacation, but would adjusting your planned vacation benefit your children?  Try to put aside the emotions that may come up in talking with your child's other parent and focus on your children and their needs.  If you are unsure that you can make this agreement with your co-parent, consider using a mediator, who is a neutral third party who can help you come to an agreement. 

If you are involved in a custody or visitation case and would like more information or a consultation, please contact us at (804) 447-0146 or clbaudean@baudeanlaw.com.

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