School is out and you want to take your children on a summer vacation they will never forget. Disneyland was last year and the year before you went to New York City, so where to go this year? How about overseas to see Big Ben in London or the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Sounds great, but traveling abroad for vacation after a divorce may not be a beautiful walk in the park. If you have questions on whether you can take your children out of the country post-divorce, you need to contact the best family law attorneys possible. Consulting the child custody lawyers at Vayman & Teitelbaum can provide you with valuable information.
Get a Letter of Consent
If you plan to travel internationally with your children, you should get a letter of consent from the other parent. Always get any permission in writing. If a problem arises, your expert family law attorney can show written evidence of the rights you were given.
When going abroad, the letter of consent is important, as an airline employee or immigration officer my request to see it. If you cannot show the consent letter, an officer can prevent you from leaving the United States with your child.
What Happens if No Consent is Given?
Parents who travel abroad without the written consent of the other parent can face international kidnapping charges. Some parents take their children abroad following a divorce and remain abroad. In a recent Maryland case, a parent returned to Tunisia with his two children after splitting with the biological mother, a United States citizen. The case has been reported as a kidnapping, although one of the children has been returned to the mother.
New Post-Divorce Trend
According to Australia's ABC News, child abduction cases following divorce are increasing around the world. There are groups that seek out abducted children and return them to their custodial parents. However, these new groups are often seen as extremely controversial and mercenary.
Amicable Splits
Not all divorce and child custody negotiations are a battle. Many divorced parents get along and live amicably with one another. Divorces are a common reality in 2017, and some experts even estimate that 50% of marriages end in divorce.
Learning to work things out for the good of everyone involved – especially the children – is important. However, when a marriage results in divorce, getting things in writing is one of the most important things you can do.
Allowing a child to go abroad or on a vacation with the other parent is something that can be simple. However, you must plan things out with the other parent to feel completely comfortable with the circumstances.
Vayman & Teitelbaum Can Help
The law firm of Vayman & Teitelbaum can provide you with legal guidance when it comes to child custody. With four locations in Georgia, Vayman & Teitelbaum, Attorneys at Law, is available to give you insight on vacationing with your child after a divorce. Visit our dedicated divorce or child custody page to see how we can help you. If you have any questions, contact us and let our experienced attorneys in family law go to work for you.
