Co-parenting is an exhausting and demanding task throughout the year. During the school year, a schedule is in place to follow, and expectations are established for what constitutes a “normal” week. In the summer, things change. There is more demand on time and more reason to adjust routine schedules. That means summer co-parenting in NJ needs to be flexible enough to meet everyone’s needs.
At Zeigler Law Group, LLC, we help families navigate the demands of time while adhering to the agreements established by law. There is no simple way to navigate difficult situations when co-parents struggle with communication. These tips aim to minimize some of that struggle.
Why Summer Co-Parenting Can Be Challenging
Numerous factors impact summer co-parenting, which differ from those of the traditional school year. Once the kids head off to school break, that disrupts the regular parenting schedule. Because you do not have the block of time allotted for the child’s education in place, there is a need and opportunity to adjust schedules to ensure children have the supervision they need.
Parents also may want to take some time to enjoy the break and the weather. This often means planning vacations or exploring opportunities outside of the state. That can conflict with existing parenting time. You still must meet the needs of children seeking their other parent, but that is far more challenging when parents also have to navigate around summer camps or time with extended family members who may be in town.
No matter what summer is like for you and your family, co-parenting in NJ still requires sticking to the rules set by your court order or, when it is possible, finding a way to work together.
Follow (and Review) Your Parenting Plan
Often, New Jersey parenting time schedule rules are established by the court to account for what typically occurs during school breaks. Most custody orders have specific provisions for summer and holiday parenting time. If you are unsure about the specifics of these provisions within your current vacation and custody agreement in New Jersey, now is the best time to review them before proceeding.
There are some situations where such agreements are lacking or have vague statements about what is allowed and what is not allowed. Some do not address summer or long breaks outside of routine school at all. In these situations, work with your attorney if you have any disagreements, or try to co-parent around those obstacles as best you can.
In situations where the other parent disagrees with their understanding of the rules for summer break, it may be time to seek legal assistance or request mediation services. Disagreements are not uncommon, and through mediation, it may be possible to reach a mutually meaningful agreement on how to manage this time and accommodate everyone’s needs. Whenever possible, be flexible and accommodating, as long as it is fair to you and aligns with the time you expect to spend with your child under the child custody and visitation agreements.
Plan Vacations and Travel in Advance
Summer visitation rights do not just focus on those day-to-day routine schedules that occur when there is no school. You also need to consider and plan for vacations. Communicate vacation plans early. Share travel itineraries with the other parent, including contact information. The other parent should expect to know where their child is and how to reach them in case of an emergency, just as you would expect to know the same if they were traveling with the child.
Some child custody and visitation agreements in New Jersey have very specific rules regarding traveling with children. The court may require that you provide written notice to the other parent about what is happening, where you are going, and why, especially if it infringes on the amount of time they are to spend with the child. If you are traveling out of state or internationally with a child, you may need to obtain written permission from the other parent. Do this ahead of time.
Issues related to passports, transportation handoffs, and health insurance coverage while traveling are factors to think about as you plan for these trips. Specifically, you will want to consider both the agreements your child has and the expectations of the areas you plan to travel to.
In each of these situations, communication is key. Open the conversation with the other parent to work towards a solution, respecting their thoughts and concerns. This can help you achieve a better outcome without feeling limited in your travel options.
Be Flexible – But Keep It Legal
While flexibility benefits children and can be a good thing for all involved, do not overstep the legal requirements in place under your custody agreement. Informal changes can contradict the expectations set in the court order. When you do that, without a written agreement, it puts your future custody at risk.
It is always wise to protect your rights and parenting time. When there are desired changes that step away from what the custody agreement outlines, you need to get them in writing. You do not want the other parent to go to the court claiming you were in violation. When conflicts escalate, avoid contacting an attorney frequently. Instead, file for temporary modification or enforcement right away to protect your rights.
How Your Law Firm Can Help
Your attorney is there to help you. Now is a good time to review your summer custody arrangements. If you do not have any, have your lawyer draft temporary parenting agreements. Your lawyer can also assist with obtaining legal travel permissions, filing emergency court documents, and enforcing custody orders when necessary.
Whether you want to travel with your kids after divorce in NJ or need help enforcing the current agreements with the other parent during the summer months, mediation support is available. Our legal team can also provide post-judgment modifications for high-conflict co-parenting situations.
Checklist: Tips for Smoother Summer Coparenting
Summer break can bring joy and adventure for kids, but for divorced or separated parents, it can also bring confusion and conflict. At Zeigler Law Group, LLC, we understand the unique challenges of summer co-parenting in New Jersey. That’s why we created a free, easy-to-follow guide filled with practical tips, planning tools, and legal insights to help you and your co-parent create a peaceful, memorable summer for your children.
Download your free checklist today here and take the first step toward less stress and more summer smiles!
Talk to a Toms River Divorce Lawyer at Zeigler Law Group, LLC Today
Call a Toms River divorce lawyer at Zeigler Law Group, LLC today at 732-361-4827 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help you navigate summer custody agreements and travel planning. Located in Toms River, Red Bank, Princeton, and Mount Laurel, New Jersey, we serve clients in Ocean County, Monmouth County, Mercer County, and Burlington County.