It’s the most wonderful time of the year so they say, but it can also be one of the most stressful for making arrangements about where your children will spend time over the Christmas break and long summer holidays if you are separated.
With 2022 being the first summer holiday for when travel plans both here and overseas feel like they are back to full swing, it is important to plan for your children’s holidays to save yourself one headache in the lead up to Christmas.
It is often difficult to balance the traditions and dates of celebrations between two parents. It can be difficult to book any type of holiday, whether it involves camping or air travel.
Sometimes consent orders or parenting plans require that the traveling parent give notice to the other parent in order to get their agreement. If passports are required, both parents must approve the issuing of the passport. This can increase the time it takes.
Family lawyers are usually snowed under when there is a dispute (pardon my pun!) We recommend these tips to make sure your Christmas plans are smooth.
- Get started now
- If you have one, take a look at your parenting plan. These written documents are subject to change by agreement.
- For details and arrangements, you can contact your ex-partner by writing. It is a good idea to let your ex-partner know in writing.
- Consider what kind of holiday you plan to take. Also, consider if your consent orders or parenting plan has notice periods for each parent for interstate and overseas travel or in relation with obtaining passports. Many children’s passports have expired as they usually only last 5 years and we have had 2 years of closed borders.
If you have trouble reaching an agreement about your plans:
- Talk to a Family Dispute Resolution mediator. You can find local mediations, as well as private mediations that offer a similar service with shorter wait times. Private providers can be recommended by us.
- If your mediation was not successful, or you aren’t sure if your lawyer has recommended it, formalize your parenting agreement.
- Get legal advice if necessary.
