Tips for a Seamless Summer Visitation before Contacting your Divorce Lawyer in Shreveport
Divorce is hard on everyone, especially the children. Just when everyone has settled into a steady school-year routine, summer comes along to disrupt the harmony. Whether it is the first or sixth summer since your divorce, questions are bound to arise. Who pays for the additional daycare expenses? Who is getting Johnny to his summer job? What weeks does each parent get for vacation? What if a parent does not approve of the travel plans of the other parent? If you are the non-custodial parent, summer is an excellent opportunity to spend extra time with your children.
Summer visitation does not have to be a reenactment of the Hatfields & McCoys! Ideally, you and your ex-spouse will have already determined how the summer transition will work. With some open communication and planning, both of you can provide a pleasant summer for your children. If you have further questions or need representation, contact David L. White and his knowledgeable staff. Our law firm has years of experience, and we are dedicated to helping you understand your rights.
Consider these summer visitation tips before contacting a Shreveport divorce lawyer:
- Look at your divorce decree.
What did you and your ex-spouse set up during your divorce? Follow that schedule. If nothing was established at the time, consider how you can work with your ex-spouse to create a visitation schedule. Your divorce attorney can give you guidance. - Work together to make sure each parent gets their opportunity for vacation time.
One option is to utilize a specified vacation which sets up the exact dates that are approved by both parents. By contrast, you can use an unspecified vacation schedule that allows each parent control of a set number of days in the year to take their children on vacation. With this option, parents can take their children on vacation at any time with sufficient notice to the other parent. - Being flexible goes a long way.
When it comes to visitation, the law considers the children’s best interest. Frequent time with the non-custodial parent is viewed as important in the eyes of the court. Find ways that the non-custodial parent can have additional quality time that a regular school-year schedule does not allow. - Discuss extra-curricular arrangements together.
Summer is not just a time of lazy days by the pool. Often, there are football practices, band practices, and summer jobs. Communicating ahead of time about who will get Susie to band practice helps keep everyone’s tempers in check!
Remember: Summertime is a perfect time for divorced parents to make special memories with their children. If you do not have an established summer visitation schedule, take the time to make one now. Open communication and flexibility are essential in a seamless summer transition.
Contact an Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Shreveport, Louisiana
Learn more about your parental rights with David L. White. The legal professionals at David L. White’s law practice will provide you with reliable, discrete guidance for your family law needs.
Contact your divorce lawyer in Shreveport to find out more about visitations in Louisiana. Call us today at 318-747-7023.
