If you have a joint managing conservatorship of your children, commonly called joint custody, you may be looking for ways to help them develop socially. According to reporting from AFAR, traveling with children offers a great opportunity to show them a different way of life.
A family vacation also may give your children a break from the stress of your recent divorce. Still, before you book a flight and hotel room, you may wonder if it is possible to take your kids on a trip to Mexico or anywhere else outside the U.S.
What is the general rule?
It is generally acceptable to travel with your kids during your parenting time. Therefore, you may not need your ex-spouse’s permission or blessing to take your children south of the border. There are some exceptions to this rule, however.
Have you read your court order?
Even if you negotiated your joint managing conservatorship, a judge made an official order regarding it. Consequently, you should read your court order carefully. If the order places restrictions on travel, you have to follow the order. Nevertheless, you may be able to ask the court for special permission to travel with your kids.
Can your ex-spouse stop your travel?
If your ex-spouse is not comfortable with your travel plans, he or she may be able to seek an injunction that bars you from traveling with your kids. When reviewing the request, a judge is likely to consider whether granting the injunction would be in the best interests of your children.
Ultimately, by reading your court order and talking to your ex-spouse, you may be able to gauge whether your trip to Mexico will be a simple matter or a more complex one.