Summer Vacation Standoff: Who Gets First Choice?

“My ex and I both want the exact same summer vacation weeks with the kids this year. Our parenting plan just says we each get two weeks of summer, but it doesn’t say who gets to choose first. We’re now at a total standstill and the kids are stuck in the middle. How do courts usually handle this when both parents want the same dates?"

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In this episode of Love Court, divorce attorney Jessica Anderson tackles a common co-parenting conflict: competing summer vacation plans. When a parenting plan allows each parent two weeks of summer time but doesn’t specify who gets to choose dates first, disagreements can quickly turn into a stalemate.

Jessica explains how courts typically approach these disputes and the practical solutions judges often encourage—such as alternating priority each year, setting advance notice deadlines, or creating a clear scheduling system to prevent future conflicts. She also discusses why resolving these issues early helps keep the focus where it belongs: minimizing stress for the kids and maintaining cooperative co-parenting.

Contact Us:
https://andersonkeuscher.com/

Contact Us:
https://andersonkeuscher.com/