Spring break can be a crazy time for all
families, but especially so for those families going through a divorce. Even in
the best cases, having to juggle children between multiple houses, taking into
account various schedules and conflicting vacation plans can be a chore. The
problem is that many parents wait until the last minute to try and hammer out
the details, which succeeds only in making a bad situation worse. If you’re willing
to think ahead, taking a few steps early on can save a lot of hassle down the
road.
First things first, to make spring break
easier for the whole family begin planning what you’re going to do before the
divorce is ever finalized. Try to come up with a vacation plan that will work
for your and your soon-to-be-former spouse while you’re both still drawing up
the parenting plan. Though vacations probably won’t be the most pressing
concern, it’s still possible to set aside a moment to start planning for what you
know will be a problem in the future. After all, it’s much better to get the
kinks worked out now than to spend years arguing over the details. You and your
attorney need to answer questions like what day of the week do vacations begin
and which holidays are considered special and which will follow the normal
parenting plan. There’s no right or wrong answer to the questions, they just
are important issues that need to be covered to ensure you reach a
comprehensive plan.
Even if spring break isn’t spelled out in
your parenting plan, you can still plan in advance. Parents should get together
(or correspond) about their travel plans months in advance. Try to hammer
things out well before spring ever rolls around so there isn’t any last minute hysteria.
Not only will this makes things go more smoothly for you, you’re your kids will
enjoy the structure and stability that comes with a seamless vacation.
Finally, while it’s great to reach a verbal
agreement with your former spouse, it’s essential that you take the next step
and put it in writing. Creating a document, even a very simple one, can make
all the difference in avoiding fights down the road. Not only will it help keep
things straight in both of your minds, but also if one party voices
disapproval, the argument can be put to a stop quickly by busting out the
written agreement.
While emergencies can happen at any time
and throw a wrench into even the best plans, this should be the exception and
not the rule. Taking time early on to work with a skilled Ohio family law attorney to iron out all
the details of your divorce can avoid serious headaches down the road.
If you find yourself facing the prospect
of complicated divorce and have questions about your rights and options,
contact an experienced Ohio family
law attorney who can help guide you through the difficult process.
Count on the expertise of Twinsburg family law attorney Carol L. Stephan.
Source: “Spring Break Parenting Time Schedule,” by Matt Allen, published at Examiner.com.
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