Consenting to vacation arrangements

[miller2003]

Hello

My ex and I are 50/50 residence for our 5 year old child. We both have parental responsibility and we blend the week and it works well. Relations are strained, but functional.

I have booked a holiday outside of term time next year without confirming dates or changes to the arrangement with the other parent. The other parent is aware of the length of holiday and didn't block anything, but no specifics had been established. The flights are now booked and paid for.

The other parent has taken issue with two things on disclosure of flight dates and times:

• The holiday is longer than I had suggested to them (I said 6 days, will now be 8 nights)
• The lateness of the returning flight.

Our 5 year old will be in bed past 2am as the flight lands at 11pm. It's a relatively short European flight. The issue they have is that it's not good for the child and that it impacts their time with our child the following day. They're also unhappy that the holiday impacts the established arrangement for two nights longer than initially agreed.

They've requested I change the flight booking so the return flight is earlier in the same day. It's a compromise, but this incurs a fee that I don't think is fair.

Should I get a court order, and which way is it likely to go? Appreciate any advice.

Why would you get a court order, you're just going to antogonise an already strained relationship. Just pay the fee and make the compromise, I think you've already taken the piss by going for longer than you'd agreed and booking such a late return flight.

Have I acted unreasonably? Will that impact how court sees it?

Yes, you're taking the piss, the "bait and switch" version.

Just cough up the admin fee, and don't try a stupid stunt like that again

It would probably cost more to go to court than to change the flight time, then you’d have the non-financial cost of increasing conflict between you. Just change the flight.

Honestly, why would you take this to court? How would that be the best thing for your child? Remember, they come first, not your ego.

YABU

It would cost £232 to apply for an order plus any legal costs if you get a solicitor to represent you. Even if you won, you wouldn't get that back. And I am not convinced you would win. You should have agreed the details with your ex before booking the holiday.

I agree with others that you should change the flight.

Seeing as this directly impacts his contact time then yes you've been unreasonable. The late flight I wouldn't be so bothered by.

I think you need to try and resolve this amicably as there will probably be many more holidays that you will need each others good will and agreement for. I don't think court is the answer for this one. I'd apologise to him and hope he agrees to the extra days. Next time you should discuss it first before booking.

What an absolute waste of the courts time