Planning a summer holiday as a separated parent involves more than just booking flights — it requires careful communication and, sometimes, legal preparation to avoid disputes.
Here’s a quick guide to the key steps you should take:
1. Check Legal Arrangements
- If you have a Child Arrangements Order and your child “lives with” you, you can take them abroad for up to 28 days without needing the other parent’s consent — unless the order says otherwise.
- If there’s no court order, you must have written consentfrom everyone with parental responsibility to take your child abroad, even for a short trip.
For holidays within the UK, consent isn’t legally required, but it’s still good practice to inform the other parent.
2. Communicate early
Give the other parent plenty of notice. Share key details:
- Travel dates and destination
- Accommodation information and flight details
- Emergency contact and insurance
- How the child will stay in touch during the trip
Early, respectful communication reduces the risk of conflict and shows that you’re prioritising your child’s well-being.
3. Try to reach an agreement
If the other parent objects:
- Try to compromise on dates or offer to make up lost time after the trip
- Put any agreement in writing, even if it’s informal
- If discussions break down, family mediation can help you find a solution without going to court
Mediation can help if direct discussions stall.
- If you can’t agree — applying to Court
If no agreement can be reached, and the other parent refuses to consent to the trip, you can apply to the Family Court for a Specific Issue Order. This is a type of court order that asks the judge to decide on a particular matter — in this case, whether the holiday should go ahead.
What the Court will consider:
The court’s main focus is your child’s best interests, not the parents’ preferences. It will look at:
- Whether the trip is safe and appropriate
- How long you’ll be away
- The impact on the child’s usual routine and contact with the other parent
- Any previous travel history or concerns
- Is there any abduction risk?
You may also need to provide the court with:
- Travel documents (itinerary, tickets, accommodation)
- A plan for maintaining contact during the trip
- Evidence of why the trip is beneficial for the child
If you’re concerned that the other parent might take the child abroad without your agreement, you can apply for a Prohibited Steps Order, which can prevent them from doing so.
How Long Does It Take?
Court applications can take several months, so it’s important to act early, before the planned holiday.
Final Tips
✔ Plan well in advance
✔ Keep things child-focused
✔ Don’t assume permission — get it in writing
✔ Speak to a solicitor early if there’s likely to be a dispute
This article was brought to you by Kidd Rapinet’s family solicitors. You can book an appointment with any of the family lawyers across our other offices in Aylesbury, Canary Wharf, Farnham, High Wycombe, Maidenhead or Slough, using the form provided. Please use the links provided to find more information on divorce or separation, child arrangements and other areas of family law.
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