Handling Transportation Costs in Long-Distance Visitation Cases
So, you and your ex live quite far apart—maybe in different states, across the country, or even further. How do you handle transportation costs in that situation? Hi, I’m Tulsa Dads.Law attorney Clint Hastings. I practice here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I focus on fathers’ rights and have been practicing for about 25 years.
Negotiating Transportation Costs During Relocation
When relocation happens, transportation costs can be split in various ways, often depending on the circumstances of the move. For instance, if the relocation occurred after the divorce decree or if one party objected to the move, transportation arrangements are often negotiated as part of a settlement. I’ve frequently seen cases where the relocating party agrees to cover most or all of the travel expenses—such as plane tickets—in exchange for the other parent dropping their objection to the move. That kind of trade-off is quite common.
If no agreement is reached and the matter goes to court, a judge will typically order transportation costs to be split. Sometimes the court will order each party to cover one leg of the trip (e.g., you pay for the flight out, the other parent pays for the return), or simply split the total cost 50/50.
Considerations for Dividing Transportation Costs
However, plane ticket prices can vary widely depending on how far in advance they are purchased. That’s why it’s important to include provisions in your parenting plan requiring advance notice and early booking to control costs.
You should also consider the proportionate share of combined income, which is used in child support calculations. For example, if you contribute 60% of the combined income and your ex contributes 40%, transportation costs could be divided accordingly.
Schedule a Consultation for Personalized Guidance
It’s also wise to include provisions that address last-minute travel plans. If one parent delays booking or gives short notice that results in higher airfare, there should be language assigning that parent a greater share of the cost. I hope this helps. Relocation and transportation issues can get complex, but we’d be glad to talk through your situation. Give Tulsa visitation rights attorney Clint Hastings a call at 918-962-0900 to schedule a consultation. Thanks.
