School holidays can be one of the trickiest times of year for separated families, with disputes often flaring up over travel plans, passports and last-minute changes to childcare. Family law specialists at Kent-based Manak Solicitors have put together eight tips to help parents navigate the summer holidays without ending up in a legal dispute.
Aneeta Kang, Director and Head of the Family Department, and Adella Thomas, a Family, Matrimonial and Children Specialist at the firm, say most conflicts can be avoided with early planning and clear communication.
1. Check whether you need permission before booking a trip abroad
If your ex-partner has parental responsibility, you’ll usually need their written consent before taking your child abroad. Travelling without it can carry serious legal consequences, and a worried parent can apply to the court for a Prohibited Steps Order to stop a trip going ahead. If a Child Arrangements Order says the child lives with you, you can generally travel abroad with them for up to a month without permission, as long as it doesn’t clash with the other parent’s court-ordered contact time.
2. Agree holiday schedules early
Summer arrangements can get complicated fast. Parents are encouraged to discuss holiday periods well in advance, put agreements in writing, and avoid leaving plans to the last minute. If you can’t agree, mediation or legal advice can help before things escalate.
3. Don’t use passports as bargaining chips
Arguments over who holds a child’s passport are common after separation. Usually the parent the child lives with most often keeps it, though this varies by family. If the other parent is taking the child abroad, it helps to agree the passport handover several weeks ahead of departure. Mediation or legal advice can help if agreement proves difficult.
4. Stay flexible when plans genuinely need to change
Holidays don’t always go as planned. If handover times need to shift, explain how the change benefits the child and agree any amendments in writing where possible. A written record helps prevent misunderstandings later.
5. Make schooling decisions jointly
Choices like switching schools or moving to home education usually can’t be made by one parent alone. Anyone with parental responsibility needs to agree on major educational decisions, and mediation or a court application may be needed if they can’t.
6. Put agreements in writing
Whether it’s travel dates, collection times or trips abroad, written confirmation protects everyone involved and provides clarity if a disagreement arises later.
7. Be open about travel plans
Sharing flight details, accommodation, emergency contacts and an itinerary when taking a child abroad can reassure the other parent and reduce unnecessary tension.
8. Keep the focus on the child
The strongest co-parenting arrangements come from clear communication that keeps personal conflict out of decision-making. If discussions start to break down, getting legal advice early can often stop a small disagreement turning into a much bigger dispute.
