If the idea of vacation planning causes you stress, you’re not alone. Vacations and parenting plans have been known to cause conflict between separated parents, mainly due to a lack of communication. But it doesn’t need to be this way.
A detailed parenting plan, and an agreed-upon method of communication (I recommend parenting apps), can ensure a smooth vacation. When couples separate, the parenting plan is the most critical item. This is the agreement to share parenting time and decision-making authority in a way that works for both parents and children. It’s an opportunity for the separating couple to work cooperatively to develop a vacation schedule that creates stability for their children.
For example, a parenting plan considers various school holidays. For recurring vacations of this nature, we find a rotating schedule that gives priority to one parent in even years and the other in odd years is a very workable system. The alternating priority scheme is especially important when parents split a longer period of vacation, such as March break, Christmas or other religious holidays. In addition, which parent gets the first choice for dates in any year should be equitably divided, so one parent does not get the first choice for every vacation in any one year.
The parenting plan is also helpful in setting a schedule if one parent takes the same period of time off every year. The lack of flexibility in that parent’s schedule could be expressly accommodated. Other mandatory clauses ensure the sharing of the children’s passports to allow for them to travel overseas and the signing of a consent letter. The airlines often ensure children travelling with one parent have the necessary consent of the other parent. In addition, immigration officials will check for this consent. You can have a lawyer draft and notarize the consent letter. Alternatively, the Government of Canada has a suggested format and some information about the letter, which can be found here: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter
No discussion about your children’s ability to travel would be complete without a brief word regarding estate planning. It is essential when you have children that you ensure someone has the authority to make decisions for your children and acquire travel documents on their behalf. Without this, a loved one who assumes the role of caregiver will have to seek permission to do so from the court.
Vacations should only be about building strong, lasting and happy memories.
A little planning with a lot of cooperation will ensure that is the case for all children. Please reach out to our team at PJKJ Law if you believe that a detailed parenting plan allowing for stability and predictability would be a good choice for your family. Give us a call at 905-523-6464 or email info@pjkjlaw.ca.
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