Child custody is often one of the most contentious aspects of divorce proceedings. Unfortunately, most newly divorced parents quickly learn that devising the custody arrangement was actually the easy part. Co-parenting with their ex, on the other hand, and trying to navigate a complicated schedule can pose all kinds of unanticipated visitation issues.

Avoid These Common Yet Often Unanticipated Visitation Issues By Planning Ahead

1. Travel Restrictions

If both parents retain legal custody of a child, they must both sign off on any air travel. Thus, when you want to take the children on vacation, it is wise to obtain a court order or certified consent letter that states both parents are on board. You should get this document as soon as you start planning the trip to avoid any delays, complications, or objections on the actual day of travel.

2. Non-Emergency Care Restrictions

Parents can consent to preventive exams, like teeth cleanings, and routine doctor’s visits without the other’s permission whenever the children are in their care. They may also consent to emergency surgical procedures should an issue arise. When it comes to non-emergency surgeries, though, a parent’s rights depend on how the original custody arrangement was set up. In some cases, both parents must consent first, while in others, just one is needed to authorize the procedure.

3. Opposing Rules

It is natural for each parent to implement a different set of rules in his or her home; however, kids thrive on stability, so divorced parents should agree on as many of the same restrictions and curfews as possible. If you are not on the same page regarding topics like screen time and social media accounts, the children are going to have to readjust to a new set of rules every time they switch homes. Depending on their age, this can cause them to be fussy and agitated or moody and brooding. This is one of the most common visitation issues that newly divorced parents face because they often fail to realize just how different their rules are until they witness their kids struggling to adapt.

If you want to mitigate these and other visitation issues when devising a custody arrangement, turn to a strategic and experienced lawyer at Edmiston Law. Based in Scottsboro, AL, the team at this firm has more than 40 years of combined experience helping clients achieve favorable outcomes to all kinds of legal disputes. Visit their website to explore all their practice areas, or call (256) 259-0834 to schedule a consultation with a compassionate family law attorney today.