When school is out and summer begins, many co-parents in Colorado start thinking about vacations, camps, and how their children will spend the long break. But before booking those plane tickets or enrolling in a sleepaway camp, it’s important to understand how legal custody affects these decisions.
What Is Legal Custody in Colorado?
Legal custody refers to the right to make major decisions about a child’s life. This includes choices about education, medical care, religion, and other significant aspects of the child’s upbringing. It’s different from physical custody, which refers to where the child lives and who takes care of them on a daily basis.
There are two main types of legal custody:
- Joint Legal Custody: Both parents share decision-making responsibilities.
- Sole Legal Custody: One parent has the exclusive right to make decisions.
In most cases, Colorado courts prefer joint legal custody, unless it’s not in the best interest of the child due to factors such as abuse, neglect, or lack of communication between parents.
Why Legal Custody Affects Your Summer Plans
Summer break brings a shift in routine. With school out, families have more flexibility—but also more decisions to make. For co-parents, this can become complicated if there’s uncertainty or disagreement about who gets to decide what. That’s where understanding legal custody in Colorado becomes key.
During the summer, this authority plays a key role in several areas:
- Travel and Vacation Plans: If you want to take your child out of state or out of the country, you typically need the other parent’s consent. Without mutual agreement, travel plans could be delayed or even denied.
- Camp and Activity Enrollment: Decisions about enrolling your child in camps, sports programs, or academic workshops may require joint approval. One parent can’t make these decisions alone if legal custody is shared.
- Emergency Medical Decisions: If your child becomes ill or injured while away from home, you may need to act fast. But this authority means both parents may have to be involved in healthcare decisions—something that can cause delays if roles aren’t clearly defined.
It’s important to remember that even if one parent has primary physical custody during the summer, legal custody still determines who has the right to make these major decisions. Failing to follow these rules can lead to legal complications and disrupt the co-parenting relationship.
Common Conflicts and How to Avoid Them
Co-parenting during the summer can bring unexpected challenges—especially when both parents are responsible for making major decisions. But when routines change and travel plans pop up, so do disagreements. Common issues we see include:
- One parent booking a trip without consulting the other
- Conflicts over whether a child should attend a sports or religious camp
- Disputes about how much time the child should spend with extended family
These challenges highlight how important it is to approach summer planning with intention when sharing legal custody. The good news? With the right approach, co-parents can avoid common pitfalls and create a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Tips for a Conflict-Free Summer
- Plan Early: Start discussing your schedule well in advance. Agree on vacations, camps, and travel dates, and use a shared calendar, like the one provided in TalkingParents, to stay organized.
- Review Your Custody Agreement: Revisit your parenting plan to confirm any arrangements. If it lacks detail, consider working together—or with your attorney—to update it.
- Communicate Clearly: Both parents must approve major plans. Keep discussions respectful, document agreements in writing, and prioritize what’s best for your child.
- Respect Each Other’s Rights: Even if one parent has more summer time with the child, decisions around healthcare, education, or travel still require joint input.
- Stay Flexible: As kids grow, their interests shift. Be open to changes in plans and willing to adapt. Flexibility not only reduces stress—it shows your child that their happiness comes first.
Understanding the responsibilities and being intentional about planning can help you and your co-parent avoid unnecessary conflict and focus on creating a memorable, peaceful break for your child.
Legal Custody in Colorado: When to Seek Help
Even with the best intentions, summer custody plans can lead to confusion and conflict—especially when legal rights aren’t clearly understood. At Colorado Legal Group, with offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction, we help parents protect their rights and make confident decisions that support their children’s well-being. Whether you need to update your parenting plan or resolve a legal dispute, our experienced family law attorneys are here to help.
Don’t let confusion derail your summer—schedule your consultation with Colorado Legal Group today. For more in-depth guidance, download our free eBook, The Ultimate Guide to Child Custody, to better understand your rights and options.