Summertime can complicate child custody arrangements

It is summer time and with summer vacation rearing its head divorced couples can begin to get heated over child custody arrangements and parenting time. The problem with many custody agreements is that they appear set in stone while, in reality, a child's needs are constantly changing. For Minnesota parents struggling with custody arrangements or parenting plans, use of a mediator might provide a low cost alternative to resolving these matters.

For most of the year, child custody and parenting plans can work quite well. Most people's lives are on a Monday through Friday schedule due to school and work, with weekends open to run errands or spend some fun time with the family. With a consistent, it may be relatively easy to schedule regular time with your kids.

In the summer time, however, things can become chaotic because peoples' schedules can get turned on their heads, especially when kids are involved. Suddenly, the kids are out of school for three months and your family's schedule may be inconsistent and unrecognizable. In order to enjoy quality family time, a quick get away with the kids may sound like a great idea, but what do you do if your former spouse will not agree to a sudden change in plans?

Many parents may choose to mediate any custody disputes, so as to avoid excessive conflict and meet the needs of both the children and their parents. Through collaboration, divorcing or divorced parents can work through some of their most difficult child custody challenges without having heated litigation. Parents can include provisions for unexpected changes in custody arrangements, such as a vacation, or negotiate a modification if necessary.

Whatever the nature of the custody dispute, and regardless of the current custody arrangement, mediation can help a couple make agreement modifications while protecting the best interest of the child and preserving the working relationship of the parents involved.

Source: Huffington Post, "Summer Vacation And Child Custody Agreements," Liz Mandarano, July 20, 2012