Parenting is a full year job. Even when Texas children go on break from school, their parents are required and expected to provide them with love, support, and care. During the summer, parents who share their children due to divorce-related custody plans may find that keeping to their regular schedules is more complex.
That is because many children have different commitments over the summer than they do during the school year. They may have activities at different times of the day, and their parents may wish to take them on vacations that could disrupt the balance of their custodial arrangements. This post addresses what parents can do when child custody questions come up with regard to summer vacation period no part of this post should be read as legal advice.
Informal modifications to child custody arrangements
Parents may be tempted to try to work out informal adjustments to their child custody schedules with their co-parents rather than going to court. Often, parents may want to make small, one-time changes that help facilitate trips, camps, and other summer commitments. Before a parent agrees to an informal change to their custody schedule, they may wish to consult with their family law attorney to better understand what rights and options they have if problems arise.
Formal modifications to custody agreements and orders
Parents may also choose to use summer vacations as a good time to make actual modifications to their child custody orders. Over the summer, parents may adjust to new schedules that they intend to keep once their children returned to school. Child custody orders may be modified when doing so serves the best interests of the children who will be affected by the changes.
Parents have options when they wish to alter the way they share their children with their ex-partners. They should not, however, make any assumptions about what outcomes they will have based on the experiences of others. Child custody matters are specific to individual cases and will be resolved based on the facts and circumstances of their unique situations.