Summer Advice For Separated Parents
The summer holidays can be a stressful time for separated parents, but it doesn’t have to be. Emma Procter, family law specialist at Farleys Solicitors, gives her advice for a stress-free summer
It’s important to remember that there’s no law that details how much time a child should spend with either parent but there is an expectation that both parents make these arrangements jointly with the best interests of the children in mind. Each separating family is different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ answer.
GET ORGANISED
Whether this is your first summer as a separated parent or circumstances have changed since last summer, the most important thing to do is to get organised early. This reduces the stress involved with trying to make plans at the last minute.
COMMUNICATE
Communicate with your ex-partner about your plans for the summer. Will your shared care routine need to be adapted to meet yours, your ex-partner’s or your children’s needs? Try to be honest with each other from the outset about your options.
WORKING AND CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS
If one or both of you has a full-time job to fulfil alongside your childcare commitments, the summer holidays can make things particularly difficult. This is where it’s important to work together, for the sake of your children, to ensure neither parent is juggling an unmanageable amount. This is also where making a plan as early as possible can help you to ensure you have enough annual leave to cover any child care needs or to book any additional child care.
BE PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE OR COMPROMISE
No matter your relationship with your ex-partner, both of your priorities should be in ensuring your children’s needs are met. This may mean that one or both of you will need to negotiate or compromise on your original plan to come to a suitable arrangement. Try not to come to the discussions with no wiggle room on your plans.
IF YOU CAN’T REACH AN AGREEMENT
If you’ve explored all options and still cannot reach an agreement alone, you may want to consider contacting a family law specialist and taking part in mediation with a professional mediator to help you come to an arrangement.
ONE MORE THING…
If you’re planning to take your children on holiday abroad this summer without their other parent, but you have a different surname to one or more of them, be aware of the potential issues this could cause at passport control.
In some instances, you may be asked to provide proof that you are the parent of the child (through a birth certificate) or that you have permission to take the child out of the country (through a letter or court order).
If you’re looking for advice in relation to child care arrangements, child contact, or separation, please contact our family law specialists at Farleys on 01254 368040, email: info@farleys.com, or visit our website for more information: farleys.com
