Taking Children Out Of The Country

Now that school has begun, many parents may be planning a family vacation outside of the United States during a holiday break. For many divorced couples, this may present certain challenges, especially for those without a detailed custody agreement.

Now that school has begun, many parents may be planning a family vacation outside of the United States during a holiday break. For many divorced couples, this may present certain challenges, especially for those without a detailed custody agreement.

What to Do

• Notification: The parent coordinating the vacation must provide reasonable notice to the other spouse. This is dependent upon the duration of the vacation, as well as the nature of the trip. An itinerary should be provided to your former spouse.  Also, it is important for a former spouse to be able to communicate with the parent and child while on the trip.
• Signed Document: Put the details of your arrangement in writing. If the terms of the agreement are breached, the non-breaking party will have legal recourse.
• Vacation Schedule: For future planning, a holiday schedule may be beneficial to both parties. A detailed arrangement for all holiday breaks, as well as limits on travel, will assist in avoiding confrontation, as well as ensuring stability for a child.

In order to avoid conflict after divorce proceedings have ended, it is important to have a detailed custody agreement.  The main reason that couples may experience conflict well after their divorce has ended is that they failed to incorporate a vacation or co-parenting schedule. If you and a former spouse are unable to come to terms on a vacation schedule, an experienced divorce attorney may be able to assist you.

It can be overwhelming to navigate the custody process, especially when it comes to protecting the interests of your children. Seeking the guidance of an experienced Long Island family law attorney may be crucial to peacefully resolving potentially contentious issues. The Long Island family lawyers of McGuire & Peláez, PC are sensitive to your needs, skilled in handling divorce and family court matters, and will fight zealously for your rights.

Ms. Pelaez has been handling dozens of Family Court cases every week for more than 10 years as a private attorney and a Court appointed Law Guardian.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our Long Island divorce law office at (631) 348-1702.