Ah, Summertime: heat domes, forest fires, and a return to in-person group activities.  We hope you got your summer parenting plan sorted out at least a month ago. 

No?  Gee, that was poor planning.  Lawyers and judges go on vacation in the Summer too.  We might be unavailable.  If your lawyer is in the office, your Ex’s is probably on vacation.  The courts have limited hearings.  By the time you get into court to get an order about Suzy going to Calgary for the Stampede (7-13 July) – it’ll be over.  And you can forget about any international travel this Summer if you haven’t got Jason’s passport already in your hands…

Here's what you should’ve done (and should do for next year):

·         Ideally had a “year-round” parenting plan which covers all holidays, birthdays, etc.

·         If not (or if Summer is “TBD”), by Spring Break you should’ve proposed the Summer plan to your Ex.

·         If the Ex wouldn’t cooperate by May, have had your lawyer make an application to Court in June.

·         Whenever possible, set up parenting schedules to roll over year on year until a new order or agreement.  Orders for “this” Summer, “this Easter”, “this” birthday are just money wasting and frustrating. 

Too many parents live from crisis to crisis, battle to battle.  Take the long view: You and your Ex will be co-parenting at some level until the youngest graduates from university.  Don’t treat every Summer, or Christmas, etc. as if it’s a surprise. 

Get a lawyer who will help you reorganize your new parenting.  Good family lawyers look ahead.  We organize today to prevent conflict tomorrow, next month, next year.

And here’s a bonus for good planning: You, your Ex, and your kids will all know well in advance what everybody’s going to be doing and where they’ll be.  This greatly reduces stress, and lowers legal expenses.  It teaches your kids that even though you and their other parent have split, both of you are committed to doing your best for them.

If you haven’t sorted out Summer yet, maybe think about starting on Christmas?

If you were smart enough to sort out Summer parenting in advance, reward yourself: shake 1.5 oz gin, .75 oz lemon juice, & .5 oz simple syrup together in a glass of ice.  Strain into a glass and add 3 oz sparkling wine.  Add a twist of lemon.  Relax in the sun with a cocktail and feel pleased with your good choices.

At Clear Legal we’ve been offering clear advice (and occasional recipes) since 1990.