Do you know where your children are during a shared custody?

After you and your child’s other parent arrive at a custody agreement, you might think that the difficult part is over. However, for many parents, the conflicts are only just beginning. Often, two parents use very different parenting styles, and often this means that one parent is less concerned with following the specifics of a custody agreement than the other. Conflicts can arise if one parent does not always inform the other where the children are if they choose to leave their daily routines. This is, understandably, a source of great frustration for many parents throughout the country.

If, for instance, your child’s other parent has them for a week or two during the summer, they may decide to take a spur-of-the-moment vacation. You may think that this is a breach of your custody order, but it may not be, technically speaking. You must examine the specific wording of the order to see if both parents must inform the other of the whereabouts of the children in any given circumstance.

It is reasonable to want to know where your child is, especially because an accident could occur at any time. It is generally in the best interests of the child if both parents have that information. However, if it is not specifically outlined in your custody order, you may face difficulty compelling the other parent to keep you informed.

There are a number of ways to fight this conflict, but they are easier accomplished before the custody order is established. If you are already stuck with a custody order that is too loose for your liking, you may be able to pursue a modification to the order. An experienced attorney can help you examine your options and create strategies to protect your children and your rights as a parent.

Source: Findlaw, “Custody or Visitation Interference,” accessed Sep. 01, 2017