Tickets, passport, money – all checked and packed, but have you got permission from your ex-partner to take your children on holiday?
If you have family and friends who live outside of England and Wales, naturally you may want the children to spend time with them during school holidays. However, if you are the parent who does not live with the children on a day to day basis, your ex-partner taking your children outside of England and Wales may cause concern, particularly if you feel the destination is not safe or you are afraid your ex-partner will not return with the children.
Some of those concerns may be dealt with by providing the address where the children will be staying, flight details and travel arrangements or agreeing contact whilst the children are away. However, if you still do not feel that it is in the children’s best interests to take the trip, you need to act fast by seeking legal advice to prevent your ex-partner taking the children out of England and Wales.
If you are the parent wanting to take the children out of England and Wales, your ex-partner may be more likely to agree, if you provide details of the trip well in advance. After all, if you are open with arrangements for the children, it is less likely that you are going to permanently remove the children from England and Wales. If your ex-partner does not agree, you will need sufficient time to seek legal advice before the trip can take place.
Ultimately, both parents no doubt want their children to experience different cultures, travel and have a lovely holiday.
For advice on this issue, please call or email Amanda Holland, Ashley James Solicitors on 0121 355 4555 or 0121 702 1380 a.holland@ajsolicitors.com