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Figuring Out Vacations in Your Parenting Plan

Vacations can be a difficult subject for divorced and separated parents, unless they've addressed them in their parenting plan (aka custody agreement). Here's how to handle vacation time in a parenting plan.

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Scheduling vacations

First, parents need to decide how they will schedule vacations.

Some plans assign each parent specific dates for vacationing with the child (e.g., the first week of June every year). You can put these directly into your parenting schedule.

Other plans just set vacation allowances, giving parents a certain amount of vacation time per year. While allowances don't have set dates, they might limit vacations to a certain time period, like summer break. They can also specify how far in advance parents must notify each other of vacation plans (often 30 days).

Parents generally opt for equal vacation time but can agree otherwise. They should decide in advance what to do about vacations that interfere with each other's scheduled parenting time. Some parents commit to makeup time.

Set ground rules

Once the parents have determined the vacation schedule, they should set some rules for vacations. What are acceptable areas to travel to? Can the parents take the children out of state? How about out of the country?

Parents can also agree to show each other a travel itinerary before vacations. This can help each parent feel more comfortable and informed.

The plan could also include rules about acceptable activities to do with the children while on vacation. Are the children allowed to go skydiving? Rock climbing? A plan may require that parents discuss ahead of time any activities the children will partake in.

It's best to establish these rules right in the custody agreement so they're clear. Then, you can head to the beach with the children and relax.

The easiest way to make a parenting plan

Incorporating vacations in your parenting plan can be difficult. You have to figure out how vacation time will fit in your regular schedule, and include provisions to detail how you'll handle communication and other important matters.

Use technology to take the guesswork out of the equation. The Custody X Change app walks you through each step of creating a plan. As you build a schedule, the terms are automatically written into your plan with airtight legal language.

The result will be a professional document that demonstrates your competence as a parent and secures your child's future.

The easiest and most reliable way to make a parenting plan is with Custody X Change.

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