In reading through my daughter's camp handbook, one clause stuck out to me as a family law attorney - Custody Agreements. Specifically, the clause read: "If there are custody issues involving your child, you must inform the camp director in writing and you must provide a copy of any custody agreement." If I had to guess, this clause was added to the handbook after the camp experienced an issue or issues with divorcing parents regarding who was allowed to pick the child up from camp. It is definitely prudent to make sure the director of your child's camp or school is fully aware of the custody arrangements so that no issues or conflicts arise.
Here are some tips:
- Make sure your Parenting Plan is very clear on custody/visitation times. If the custody/visitation section is very detailed and lengthy, and may cause more confusion than clarity, you and your ex-spouse may want to send a joint letter to the camp/school director outlining who will pick up the child each day.
- Communicate with the camp/school about any custody issues you have had that may effect the child's time at camp/school. You certainly do not need to air your dirty laundry, but explaining that your ex-spouse has a habit of trying to pick up the child on the days he/she doesn't have visitation will likely be helpful in managing the expectations of the camp/school and helping them prepare an appropriate response.
- Confirm that the camp/school will check the ID of any person picking up your child. Some custody agreements provide that no one other than the mother or father can drive the child (i.e. a new girlfriend or boyfriend of a parent may not have authority to pick up the child).
Paying Your Child's Private School Tuition?
If age appropriate, communicate with your child about which parent will be picking him/her up at the end of the day. That way your child will know exactly what to expect.