Getting Your Custody Agreement Ready for Summer

Summertime is a special season for children—there are no classes to attend, and the days are longer and filled with more opportunities for fun. But for divorced parents who share custody, it can be a stressful time of year when more preparation is required. In this blog, Creative Family Solutions, Cianci Law, PC will help you develop an agreement with your former partner to ensure that both parents can enjoy the summer months with their kids.

Steps to Prepare for Summer

As summertime nears, parents need to take steps to prepare their custody agreements. It is essential for parents to do this before summer arrives so there is ample time to make adjustments if necessary. Keep reading to find out what should be done:

1. Clarify Vacation Plans

   Divorced parents should begin planning ahead to ensure they’re on the same page regarding vacation plans. Consider deciding who will take the kids on which vacations and trips and how long each parent will have them away. While discussing this topic, review any existing court orders or holiday schedules from previous years to ensure everyone is clear on expectations and guidelines.

   Tip: If you need assistance organizing your plans, consider using a co-parenting app.

2. Discuss Child Support Payments

   If applicable, child support payments should be discussed before summer vacation begins. When making these arrangements, consider if additional costs such as daycare or camp fees may need to be taken into account during the summer months or if any changes in income or expenses could affect payment amounts. Additionally, ensure both parties agree on how payments should be made and when they’re due so there’s no confusion later.

   Tip: If support issues arise over the summer, attempt to talk with your ex first. If issues persist, it may be necessary to seek legal advice.

3. Talk About Activities and Events

   Be sure to talk about which activities your kids will participate in over the summer and if extra funds may need to be allocated towards these events or activities. If one parent typically pays for activities while another covers expenses like food or clothing, discuss who will cover what costs this summer so everyone is prepared financially when school is out of session.

   Tip: Remember that special occasions such as birthdays and graduations are still celebrated in the summer months. Don’t forget to prepare ahead of time for those events too.

Tips for Parents

After reviewing the custody agreement and preparing for the summer, it is possible you still could encounter challenges. Here are a few tips to help ensure success in your co-parenting relationship for the summer:

• Communicate effectively.
• Avoid speaking negatively about the other parent.
• Put your children first.
• Don’t force your children to pick sides.
• Contact an attorney if problems arise.

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Remember, having an effective custody agreement and working together provides your child with a plethora of benefits.

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Seeking Legal Representation if Necessary

Summertime can bring up difficult conversations between former partners, but having clear agreements in place can help ensure that you and your ex-spouse enjoy quality time with your children while they’re out of school during those hot months of June through August.

Taking some time now to create or revisit agreements on vacation plans, child support payments, activities, and other topics can help you rest easy knowing that you’ve prepared ahead of time for a successful summer season with your family. If you run into any issues during this process, know that the team at Creative Family Solutions, Cianci Law, PC can lend a helping hand.

Contact our team today at (916) 797-1575 to schedule a consultation if you need assistance. Our team is here to help you and your family have a fantastic summer vacation.