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Parenting Time and Travel Considerations in a Mobile Society

Nearly half of all marriages will end in divorce. As our society becomes increasingly mobile, the need to address long-distance parenting time becomes progressively more common.

When dealing with a divorce where the parties will live and work in different states, there are many considerations the parties should carefully consider:

• What is the best way for the long-distance parent to stay connected to the child?
• How do you balance the need/desire for frequent contact with the economic realities involved in travel?
• Is the school/summer split really the only or best alternative?
• Is Skype or another video-conference style communication available?  And is that method age-appropriate for the child?
• At what age is it acceptable for the child to fly unaccompanied by a parent?
• How will the costs of travel be shared?

Unaccompanied minor travel is becoming more common. However, there is no standard as to what age is appropriate for this type of travel.  If forced, the Court will make its decision based on the best interest of the child – balancing safety and emotional concerns on one hand, with the economic realities of travel on the other.

And while many airlines have similar policies, each has different rules and fares for unaccompanied minors.  See below for a current listing of policies and fees (as of February 2013 – fees are per child) of the major US airlines – but always check with your airline as fees are constantly changing:

As always, you as the parent are best equipped to make the decision whether your child is a seasoned traveller and responsible enough to fly as an unaccompanied minor or a young adult without assistance.  You should discuss this with your former spouse and include provisions for travel in your Judgment of Divorce, or at least provide for review at key ages (i.e. at 7, 11, 15).

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