Previous posts have discussed why so many divorces between parents of differing nationalitiesculminate in legal showdowns to determine child custody.
(Please see “The Growing Problem of International Child Abduction” and “The Growing Problem of International Child Abduction – II” for more information.)
While most – if not all – of these international child custody/visitation issues can be traced to great hostility between the former spouses, what happens when the two spouses enjoy a relatively harmonious post-divorce relationship?
While it is certainly beneficial when these couples get along, it is also very important that they keep certain considerations in mind when determining international child custody/visitation arrangements.
Today’s post will briefly examine a few of these considerations.
(Please note, these are merely considerations that parents – who are willing and able to get along – may wish to discuss with one another. They do not account for how a family court would decide any child custody/visitation issue.)
- Holidays – It may prove necessary for parents to discuss both the religious and secular holidays of their respective nations, and how they will be observed. Why? Celebrations/gatherings assist with essential parent-child bonding, create traditions and help foster a sense of stability for children.
- Education – It may prove necessary for parents to discuss their respective educational wishes for the children, including where they think they should be educated. The parents may also wish to discuss the child’s school schedule. Why? Many schools in foreign countries do not have traditional summer vacation schedules as they do here in the United States. Consequently, non-custodial parents may lose a valuable opportunity to spend a large amount of uninterrupted parenting time with the children.
- Travel – It may prove necessary for parents to discuss travel arrangements, particularly if both parents live in separate countries. Among other issues, parents will likely want to address whether the children can travel on their own, travel costs, and travel reimbursements for a parent who has to come to the foreign nation.
To learn more about child custody matters or parental rights, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.
This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog …
Related Resources:
Special Considerations in International Custody Situations (The Center for International Child Custody and Relocation)
