Many families across the state of Illinois enjoy traveling with their children. And while this is the season that families often travel by train, plane and automobile to be with their loved ones during the holidays, going on vacation with kids can present a number of issues during divorce proceedings. The attorneys at Johnson & Johnson, Attorneys at Law, assist our clients in creating, modifying and enforcing child custody arrangements that account for family vacations and other events. Before your child travels with you or his or her other parent, it is important that you understand whether and how child custody guidelines apply to you.
According to USA Today, a number of factors can be taken into consideration when determining vacation-related child custody arrangements. Parents typically have the right to make such decisions on their own if they are able to agree, but there are instances where vacation provisions are outlined by the family law court. Therefore, the court may decide when, where and how you and your child’s other parent are allowed to take your child on vacation.
While many people assume that noncustodial parents don’t have the right to take their kids on vacation without permission, you may not necessarily be allowed to take your child out of the state or country without prior approval even if you are the custodial parent. Court decisions on such allowances are typically made on a case-by-case basis. Unless you and your child’s other parent have had problems over travel arrangements and visitation rights in the past, however, the court will not generally interfere with in-state vacation arrangements.
If you or your child’s other parent are planning to take him or her on vacation, it is important to keep several things in mind. For instance, you as the traveling parent are obligated to provide your child’s other parent with a general itinerary of your trip. Similarly, the other parent is required to notify you within a reasonable amount of time if he or she intends to take your child on vacation.
Learn more about vacation-related visitation rights and other topics by visiting our website today.
