From family lawyer Helene Treschow, Forum Advokater, Havnevej 3, 4000 Roskilde, tel. dir. 53737179, email: htr@forumadvokater.dk.
The last winter month is shaking the trees outside, while some families with children are on winter break, while others are counting down to next week's winter break. Here at home, we have a strip that we cut off every morning.
In shared custody families, there can be quite a bit of tug-of-war about what is allowed and not allowed during the winter break. Here is a small selection of questions/answers from the real life of shared custody families.
My wife and I want to travel south with our four blended children during the winter break. Does the father of my wife's children need to approve the trip? There is joint custody and she is the residential parent.
No, the father does not need to approve that your wife takes her children on vacation abroad with you and your children.
I am supposed to have visitation with my children during the winter break. Does the children's mother, as the residential parent, need to approve that I travel south with the children? We have joint custody.
No, the children's mother does not need to approve the trip. But if you have a decision that restricts or cancels visitation abroad, you may have to “settle” for a winter holiday in Denmark or in the other Nordic countries.
My children are going to spend winter break with their mother, who wants to cut their hair short, even our daughter. Is she allowed to do that without my consent?
Yes. Haircuts are considered part of everyday decisions that can be made by the person the children are staying with. Therefore, the mother is not doing anything legally wrong by cutting your children’s hair. However, for the sake of your children and the overall co-parenting relationship, it is a good idea to be in agreement.
With these words, I wish you and your family a really good winter break. If you need to know more about the law in shared custody families, feel free to email me at htr@forumadvokater.dk, or call me at 53737179.
