With summer beginning, you’re probably making vacation plans with your children. However, your child custody arrangement could limit your travel and disrupt everything.
If you intend to travel out of state with the children, here is what you need to do to avoid any last-minute disappointments.
Plan ahead
You need to start making the preparations early, ideally several months before the day. A sudden out-of-state trip can seem suspicious — more so if you and your co-parent are not on good terms.
Go through the terms of your joint custody order
The court-issued custody orders likely have travel restrictions that you should be wary of. Should you violate these terms, you could lose custody or face undesirable legal actions for going against court orders.
Inform your co-parent of your travel
Some custody orders require you to get the other parent’s permission before traveling out of state with the children. When seeking their permission, it is advisable to have it in writing for future reference in case anything comes up.
Even if this requirement is not explicitly stated, it is wise to inform them of your intended trip. It’s an act of good faith that will help avoid conflict
Have the necessary documents with you
It is crucial to have the requisite documents with you, especially those related to the children, to avoid unnecessary delays during your travel. It’s a good idea to have a copy of your custody agreement and any specific authorization for the travel.
It’s not uncommon for conflict to arise when one parent wants to travel out of state with the children. Therefore, it is worthwhile to have the necessary information that will help you protect your place in the children’s lives.
