Father's Rights: Is It TOO LATE For Summer?
Fathers who do not have custody know how difficult it is to arrange summer parenting time. Many divorce decrees or state parenting time guidelines give fathers the right to have 2 weeks, or 4 weeks, or even half the entire summer with their children! But actually GETTING all that time? Whew. Good luck.
It doesn't take luck. It takes tenacity and persistence. It takes demanding that time with YOU is more important than summer camps, cheerleading practices, or fake summer schools.
First, review your decre or state guidelines and see if there is a deadline for you to select your time. WRITE this deadline on ALL your calendars. DO NOT MISS IT! At least one week before the deadline, send her a letter by certified mail and regular mail, listing specifically the dates you are selecting. Do not say these are the dates you "want" or the dates you are "asking" for. These are your dates. Don't be wishy-washy about it. If she has a lawyer, send the lawyer a copy as well.
If there is not a deadline in the Decree or guidelines, then pick one! Most decrees or guidelines use April 1 or May 1. I say the sooner the better, especially if your ex has a history of enrolling the children in every activity available over the summer, to deny you your time with them.
(Review this step with local counsel to make sure it's okay with local rules and practice) File with your court a simple "Certificate Of Notification" that says: "<your name> notifies this Court that on <date>, he sent to <ex wife name> by certified mail, return receipt requested, notification of the dates elected for summer parenting time, pursuant to <paragraph of the Decree or paragraph of the guidelines>." Send her a copy and add a Certificate of Service at the bottom.
Don't wait until the last moment. Don't let her respond to your dates with "alternate" dates. Don't even acknowledge that these dates are negotiable. You are entitled to specific time during your kids' summer break. Take it. Use it.
For the best guide to enforcing your rights - and your children's rights - in court, get a copy of:
"Aggressive Pleadings For The Non-Custodial Father"
This is specially priced right now, to get it into as many fathers' hands as possible.
It doesn't take luck. It takes tenacity and persistence. It takes demanding that time with YOU is more important than summer camps, cheerleading practices, or fake summer schools.
First, review your decre or state guidelines and see if there is a deadline for you to select your time. WRITE this deadline on ALL your calendars. DO NOT MISS IT! At least one week before the deadline, send her a letter by certified mail and regular mail, listing specifically the dates you are selecting. Do not say these are the dates you "want" or the dates you are "asking" for. These are your dates. Don't be wishy-washy about it. If she has a lawyer, send the lawyer a copy as well.
If there is not a deadline in the Decree or guidelines, then pick one! Most decrees or guidelines use April 1 or May 1. I say the sooner the better, especially if your ex has a history of enrolling the children in every activity available over the summer, to deny you your time with them.
(Review this step with local counsel to make sure it's okay with local rules and practice) File with your court a simple "Certificate Of Notification" that says: "<your name> notifies this Court that on <date>, he sent to <ex wife name> by certified mail, return receipt requested, notification of the dates elected for summer parenting time, pursuant to <paragraph of the Decree or paragraph of the guidelines>." Send her a copy and add a Certificate of Service at the bottom.
Don't wait until the last moment. Don't let her respond to your dates with "alternate" dates. Don't even acknowledge that these dates are negotiable. You are entitled to specific time during your kids' summer break. Take it. Use it.
For the best guide to enforcing your rights - and your children's rights - in court, get a copy of:
"Aggressive Pleadings For The Non-Custodial Father"
This is specially priced right now, to get it into as many fathers' hands as possible.
