Planning to Parent in the Summer of 2021

Have summer plans for the children?  It’s never too soon to start planning.

With the latest snow barely melted, it can be hard to imagine that winter will ever end.  But we all know how time flies, and before we know it, warm weather will be here.  Have you considered what you and your children are doing during the summer break?  It is not too soon to start thinking about summer plans and making contingency arrangements, especially if sleepaway or day camps are not open or if travel is not yet safe enough to plan your usual vacation. 

Additionally, for divorced parents, the summer can pose added considerations.  If you are going to take a vacation, does your custody or parenting time agreement, or any Order from the Court, require that you give your co-parent or ex-spouse a certain amount of notice?  How does your agreement or Order allocate responsibility for camp, child care or extracurricular activities?  Does your agreement or Order include a holiday schedule that may encompass Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day?  If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, you know what you have to do next – either cooperate with your co-parent or speak with an attorney who can help you through the challenges that may lie ahead of you.   If you have answered “no” to any of these questions, think about whether you need to deal with the scheduling or costs that are coming next, also by either contacting your co-parent directly or talking to an attorney. 

In 2020, the pandemic and upheaval of usual summer plans took many parents by surprise.  Take advantage of being cooped up inside this winter to be prepared with some fun and safe plans for the summer of 2021.  At the same time, anticipate some of the pitfalls a second pandemic summer can pose.

Stay tuned for more detailed discussions of some of these issues in the weeks to come.  In the meantime, the family law attorneys at Cohn Lifland have substantial knowledge and experience in navigating these complex issues. If you have any questions, contact the family law group at Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf, LLP