Wilson Family Law LLC, 667 Shunpike Road, Suite 5, Chatham, NJ 07928
The summertime with children is characterized by memories that will last a lifetime! With many exciting trips and activities with your children soon approaching, it is vital to take the time now to discuss your co-parenting travel plans. Investing your effort now to share your travel plans can help ensure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible and help prevent miscommunication and stress.
Many Marital Settlement Agreements and co-parenting plans include agreed-upon travel requirements. As you plan your vacation parenting time, it is crucial to share your flight details, itinerary, contact information, and emergency details before your trip. This can reduce stress while you are traveling and help assuage the other parent’s concerns while you are enjoying your parenting time. Additionally, it is important to carve out time during the day for the other parent to communicate with your children, such as a designated FaceTime or phone call that is agreed upon beforehand. If circumstances change and the agreed-upon phone call is no longer feasible, you should communicate that to your co-parent and provide an alternative time, keeping in mind possible time zone constraints. It is never easy to be away from your children, so agreeing on a set timeframe before your trip for when these details will be communicated can prevent friction between both parents leading up to and during the trip.
Furthermore, international travel can introduce additional considerations. The first is the passport. Typically, both parents must consent to a child under the age of 18 applying for a passport. Once it is obtained, both parties should agree on who will hold the passport and how it will be shared. It cannot be withheld from the other parent. This discussion should also outline the timeline for transferring the passport before an international trip with the parent currently in possession of it. Another variable that may arise is whether a notarized consent letter is required. Certain countries require a notarized letter from the non-present parent consenting to the child’s travel. A review of custody agreement restrictions is important, and the traveling parent is responsible for coordinating these efforts. The goal is to create a system that reduces the possibility of conflict as much as possible.
Although it may seem tedious to discuss all of these details before traveling, the earlier you communicate, the less likely conflict is to arise. Clearly communicating your travel plans and establishing a system for when your child can connect with the other parent can help prevent the need for legal intervention during a trip, preserving your valuable time together.
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Wilson Family Law LLC
667 Shunpike Road, Suite 5
Chatham, NJ 07928
Office: 973-520-4275 Fax: 973-378-0603
email: cindy@wilsonfamilylawllc.com
Website: wilsonfamillylawllc.com