How to Avoid Arguments With Your Ex Regarding Your Child’s Passport
Co-parenting involves so many elements of a child’s life that oftentimes after a divorce or the decree case has been finalized, parents continue to have high conflict relationships when it comes to their children. One recurrent issue that I see over and over again is the argument between exes when it comes to either renewing or obtaining a passport for their child. The issues that I see occurring more frequently include:
- The parent holding the child’s passport fails to provide the passport to the other parent when requested
- The child’s passport is not renewed when it expires
- One parent refuses to give the other parent the information necessary to complete the passport application
- One parent refuses to accompany the other parent to the passport office to finalize the last steps in getting the passport
As important as this issue is, it unfortunately gets overlooked or forgotten quite frequently during the divorce or the custody process. There’s a simple way to avoid this ordeal, and that is by simply making sure that your divorce or your custody decree has a provision addressing the child’s passport.
For example, at a minimum your decree should specify details such as
- Both parents must fully cooperate with each other in obtaining or renewing the child’s passport
- Which parent is to have the physical possession of the passport
- The parent who is responsible for holding onto the passport must be responsible to keep the passport updated and shall provide a copy of their renewed passport to the other parent
- The parent responsible for holding onto the passport must provide the passport to the other parent a few weeks before a scheduled travel date to avoid any issues
These are just simple ways that you can avoid future headaches, hassles, or arguments with your ex regarding your child’s passport. If you have questions regarding this topic, or any other Family Law topic, do not hesitate to contact our office to speak with an experienced Family Law attorney. To schedule a consultation contact us at (702) 998-1188, info@ljlawlv.com, or by scheduling a consultation online.
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