MAKING SUMMER CHILD CUSTODY PLANS POST-DIVORCE

School children across Colorado are likely counting down the days to summer break. For children whose parents are divorced, summers can be a bit complicated. This is because the child custody and visitation schedules used during the school year may change during the summer.

For example, the noncustodial parent may have a stretch of several weeks during the summer in which they have the child in their care. In addition, parents will have to decide who has custody of the child during summer holidays, such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Parents will also have to cooperate and be flexible with regards to taking the child on a vacation out of state. The details of one’s child custody and visitation arrangements during the summer months are generally agreed upon in the initial custody order.

However, as kids grow, their needs change and the parents themselves could see a significant change in their lives as the years go by. Sometimes, a visitation schedule that had worked in the past is no longer feasible or is not in the child’s best interests. If this is the case, parents will want to communicate their needs and their child’s needs with one another well in advance. If a modification needs to be made to an existing child custody and visitation schedule, parents can turn to the court to make these changes official.

In the end, parents will want to do all they can to ensure their child’s summer is one full of pleasant memories. This entails a certain amount of cooperation and respect. If any changes need to be made to an existing order, these should be sought sooner rather than later, to avoid any conflicts and ensure all parties know what to expect in the summer months.