Splitting custody during summer breaks can be quite stressful. The kids are home from school, but you’re still working, and your ex-spouse likely has a work schedule of their own. This tends to throw parenting routines out of whack and calls for a tailored summer time sharing plan. What are your scheduling options if you’d like to split summer holidays when divorced?
We’ll go over the most popular type of summer custody schedule, as well as the importance of putting together itineraries and vacation plans early to avoid scheduling conflicts and last-minute scrambles.
The Typical Summer Custody Schedule
So, what’s the most common way to split summer holidays when divorced? For the most part, summer custody schedules will have each parent take the children for two or three uninterrupted weeks over the summer. While there are a number of different custody schedule types, this is a popular choice because of how straightforward it is. Since children tend to have about two months off every summer, three uninterrupted weeks to each parent is quite equitable. Plus, it allows for longer family vacations and plans with your children rather than switching from house to house every few days.
As a co-parent with shared custody, summer is your golden opportunity to cherish uninterrupted time with your children. Since they’re out of school, it’s the perfect time to follow through on long-awaited family vacations and new experiences with the little ones. However, while they’re out of school for a couple of months, you still have to work – and if you’re not used to working with your children around, it can become a struggle. Furthermore, scheduling conflicts with your co-parent are likely to occur if summer plans for your children aren’t promptly communicated.
Summer Co-Parenting Schedules & Itineraries
Preparation now means convenience later. When it comes to summer custody, you’ll want to be overly prepared. As in, if you haven’t already collaborated with your co-parent on a detailed summer schedule in your divorce agreement, now is the time. After reaching an agreement and getting approval from a judge, it’ll become your default parenting plan for each summer moving forward.
If you’d like to keep summer schedules flexible, staying organized and sharing summer itineraries with your co-parent ahead of time is still suggested to save you the trouble of scheduling conflicts down the line. Notify your co-parent far in advance of any vacation plans, summer camps, or events that you plan to sign the kids up for, and confirm you’re not violating any existing co-parenting agreements. If it was a high conflict divorce and it’s difficult to communicate with your ex-partner, we suggest the route of mediation. At the Law Offices of Jennifer Owens, we have the mediation expertise to work out summer solutions prior to seeking approval for a co-parenting agreement.
Wondering How to Split Summer Holidays When Divorced?
Divorce is an emotional journey to endure. On top of the bitterness and anger which often result from a formal separation, the subsequent legal battles tend to make the whole process even more painful. At the Law Offices of Jennifer Owens, we revel in the power of choice. When spouses face divorce, they’re presented with a slew of decisions with a handful of potential outcomes. Our attorneys are believers in the best possible outcome, where a former couple chooses peace over destruction, so that they can finally move onto their next chapter. We can help with that. No matter your desired path – mediation, a negotiated settlement, or even litigation – The Law Offices of Jennifer Owens will achieve the best possible outcome by reaching a settlement that keeps all involved parties in mind. Visit our website to review our family law services or contact us online for a free consultation.